Winter life at the garden

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Even throughout the deep freeze of winter, life continues at the garden. There is great beauty to still be found with a fresh backdrop of snow – the textures of dried plants poking out beneath a blanket of white, the contrast of a bright red Cardinal high in a tree against the blue-grey sky, and the plentiful ducks, geese, and swans enjoying the flowing water of the canal. Take some time to go for a winter’s walk and experience the garden in a completely different way. Bring your camera to capture the moment and enter our 2021 Winter Photo Contest.

Thank you to Mark Williams for sharing some excellent photos and a video from recent visits!

Hooded Merganser, February 18, 2021. Photo by Mark Williams.

Photo by Mark Williams, February 18, 2021.

Photo by Mark Williams, February 18, 2021.

Announcing a special Winter Photo Contest!

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Please wear a mask when you walk through the garden, even though it is outside. Bring your camera along as you walk through for exercise and fresh air. Stay at least two metres apart and do not congregate with others from outside your household. The current guidelines restrict outdoor gatherings to fewer than five people. If there are already five visitors in the garden, please visit another time instead. Currently, the Hamilton Conservation Authority remains open with similar guidelines.

This year only, the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and the Hamilton Conservation Authority invite you to participate in a special Winter Photo Contest at the garden and Canal Park!

Please read the following carefully, as it is a little different than the summer photo contest. Photos must be taken between January 15, 2021 through April 15, 2021. As this contest is in partnership with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, it also includes Canal Park. See the map below for the approximate contest boundary.

Send your entries to winterphotos2021@gmail.com before midnight on April 15. Good luck!

***Ready to enter? Only 3 photos per category allowed. Please send a separate email for each category. Each photo must be less than 5 MB. YOU MUST PROVIDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING to be considered (copy and paste into your email so you don’t miss anything):

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Phone Number
  4. Age (ONLY if under 18)
  5. Category
  6. Date and time each photo was taken
  7. If entry is wildlife, identify the species

We will confirm your entry within 5 business days. If you do not hear from us, please follow-up.

Announcing the Winners of the 2020 Photo Contest

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We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Urquhart Butterfly Garden Photo Contest! A big thank you to the judges for their time and thoughtful decisions.  The judges send their heartfelt congratulations to the winners.

Most of the work on the Photo Contest has been done by Carolyn Zanchetta, who many of you will have seen working away at the Garden. Thank you, Carolyn.

It was wonderful to see how many people took part in this contest, appreciated the Garden, and learned what treasures can be seen. 

Congratulations to the Winners and and thank you to all the contestants – we loved all your photos! Click any photo below to begin a slideshow.

  • 1st Place – Caryopteris. Mark Williams, Hamilton.
  • 2nd Place – Zinnia Elegans. Hung-Wei Liu, Hamilton.
  • Honourable Mention – Fragrant Sumac. Keith Sharp, Dundas.
  • 1st Place – Chipmunk on Cup Plant. Mark Williams, Hamilton.
  • 2nd Place – Garter Snake. Hung-Wei Liu, Hamilton.
  • Honourable Mention – American Robin. Missy Northey, Dundas.
  • 1st Place – Carrot Wasp. Michelle Sharp, Dundas.
  • 2nd Place – Tachinid Fly. Mark Williams, Hamilton.
  • Honourable Mention – Black-Legged Meadow Katydid. Michelle Sharp, Dundas.
  • 1st Place – Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. Ted Jez, Burlington.
  • 2nd Place – Black Swallowtail. Michelle Fleming, Milton.
  • Honourable Mention – Red-spotted Purple. Bill Tracey, Hamilton.
  • 1st Place – Indian Blanket. Kalan Post, Hamilton, Age 16.
  • 2nd Place – Pot Marigold. Molly Troke, Stoney Creek, Age 11.
  • Honourable Mention – Cup Plant. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • 1st Place – Chipmunk. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • 2nd Place – Eastern Grey Squirrel. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • Honourable Mention – Swan. Maddison Fleming, Milton, Age 15.
  • 1st Place – Great Golden Sand Digger Wasp. Kalan Post, Hamilton, Age 16.
  • 2nd Place – Black-Legged Meadow Katydid. Kalan Post, Hamilton, Age 16.
  • Honourable Mention – Blue Dasher Dragonfly. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • 1st Place – Cabbage White. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • 2nd Place – Pecks Skipper. Sarah Skinner Brown, Hamilton, Age 17.
  • Honourable Mention – Monarch. Brooke Perks, Hamilton, Age 17.

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Below are all the entries for the 2020 contest. With hundreds of beautiful entries, it was a difficult decision for the judges. Thanks to all for participating and sharing your unique experiences in the Garden. Click any photo to enter a slideshow and see photographer and species details.