2013 has been a great year for shooting as well as for getting my images out to people who are interested, via this blog! There are so many decent images to choose from, and I am a bit pressed for time right now, so I will organize the pictures that stood out for me phylogenetically.
Insects
One of the beautiful Ammophila featured in Ibycter Illustrated. Photographing sleeping Hymenoptera at sunrise gave me a new appreciation for mixing ambient and flash.
I love the way the dew sparkles on this Lycaenid.
In 2013, I got to indulge myself with many opportunities to shoot Coelioxys, my favourite Megachilid.
Using flowers as colourful backdrops was something I explored in the gardens this year.
Not the best technically, but it was great to come upon this scene of predation between Laphria and Apis. Productive slacking indeed!
Another Laphria found on a window provided a good long photo session so I could explore lighting against the sky.
After this shot, I resolved to shoot more ants, but unfortunately I did not follow through. This was the best ant I shot all year.
I explored a bit of underwater photography with micro-aquaria, but could use some more practice.
And more Coelioxys!
Spiders
This was a great year for spider photography, and I shot many species, such as this uloborid, Hyptiotes gertschi.
I managed more than my fair share of crab spider shots, like this one during some time in the community garden.
This dramatic shot of a Woodlouse Hunter was a big hit.
Some of the studio shots I took of jumpers at Iona were also pretty dramatic. This Habronattus ophrys male was pretty on black.
Jumpers also stand out on white.
I found several long philodromids this year, which look elegant stretched out in their concealed mode.
This molting clack widow was a great treat to see.
(non-human) Vertebrates
Getting out to YVR with the Wildlife Control people was a really fun experience. This molting Peregrine tiercel was one of the better shots I ever got of a peregrine.
This snapshot of an injured duck led me into some community activism, and was ultimately used in newspapers and at council meetings.
I git some decent shots during feeding time for some barn swallows.
This eagle in a cottonwood highlights the gentle light you can get on a bright summer day under the shade of a tree.
Probably my favourite bird shot this year, this male Annas hummingbird was spectacular in the evening light.
These trumpeter swans emerging out of the clouds were also a favourite.
Sandhill Cranes up close are kinda crazy looking!
People
I got out several times with Wild Research on birding trips. This shot of Paul Levsque channeling Steve Zissou was fun.
The most fun I had with people was some of the outreach we did bringing insects and spiders to kids.
Meeting Alex Wild and others at the ESC in Guelph was an unexpected boost.
Attending Alex Wild’s insect photography workshop with Mike Hrabar was a great way to start the conference.
Sometimes going out mushroom hunting with friends is the best cure for the fall blues.
Catherine Scott, my scientific collaborator and fellow member of Team Caracara has a great smile and killer stats insight.
Getting out and speaking up for what matters is important. This was shot at the “Stand Up For Science” rally in Vancouver.
OK, here are several more shots of kids with bugs. What could be more awesome?
People gathered together for Moth Night. A great way to spend a summer evening!
Doing Barn Owl work with Sofi was pretty fun. We managed to capture several owls.
A butterfly outing!
Tavi and Viorel
Antonia with a great stonefly!
