Spiders – Many & Various: Richard Schwarz Saturday July 23, 10 am Richard Schwarz has been a spider fan for years. “As you learn more about them you’ll appreciate these wonderful creations of nature” Richard said recently. Spiders should be … Continue reading →
The 2022 Summer Photo Contest begins June 6th and ends on September 6. Previous posts provide the information you will need to participate in this exciting annual summer contest. When you are ready to submit your pictures please use the form found via the following link.
Redbud Flower by Michelle SharpYellow Warbler in vines by Michelle Sharp
May 29
Thank you to the photographers who share their beautiful photographs with us at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. We have included the beautiful Eastern Bluebirds who greeted us this spring in the Canal Park adjacent to the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.
*Double click to see each individual photograph and photographer credits.
The 2022 Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer Photo Contest kicks off on June 6th and runs through Labour Day Weekend to September 6th.
Photographers of all ages are eligible for cash awards in four categories:
Butterflies and Moths
Insects, Spiders and Bugs
Birds and other Wildlife
Plants & Flowers
Fancy Camera equipment is not needed. Many great photos have been taken with cell phones. What is required is patience and a good eye for an interesting photograph.
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is full of life! Butterflies are already being seen daily, including Monarchs and Mourning Cloaks. Look closely and you may see young rabbits, garter snakes sunning themselves, and tiny voles popping out between the rocks.
Between June 6th and September 6th when you visit the Garden you will see a variety of beautiful flowers and plants which support the lives of butterflies, insects and birds.
The Photo Contest begins June 6th and ends September 6th. Entry information and rules will be available at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden or can be viewed on the Urquhart Butterfly Garden website at: https://urquhartbutterfly.com
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is located between Centennial Park and Canal Park at the end of the Desjardins Canal. Parking is available on King Street East at the entrance to the Garden.
The 2022 Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer Photo Contest kicks off on June 6th and runs through Labour Day Weekend to September 6th.
Photographers of all ages are eligible for cash awards in four categories:
Butterflies and Moths
Insects, Spiders and Bugs
Birds and other Wildlife
Plants & Flowers
Fancy Camera equipment is not needed. Many great photos have been taken with cell phones. What is required is patience and a good eye for an interesting photograph.
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is full of life! Butterflies are already being seen daily, including Monarchs and Mourning Cloaks. Look closely and you may see young rabbits, garter snakes sunning themselves, and tiny voles popping out between the rocks.
Between June 6th and September 6th when you visit the Garden you will see a variety of beautiful flowers and plants which support the lives of butterflies, insects and birds.
The Photo Contest begins June 6th and ends September 6th. Entry information and rules will be available at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden or can be viewed on the Urquhart Butterfly Garden website at: https://urquhartbutterfly.com
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is located between Centennial Park and Canal Park at the end of the Desjardins Canal. Parking is available on King Street East at the entrance to the Garden.
At the Urquhart Butterfly Garden there are two new people who you will see very busy gardening:
-Anne Mette Pedersen is our new gardener
-Nancy Wylie has taken on the task of Assistant Coordinator.
In addition Nancy has recruited a great collection of new volunteers.
The Summer Photo Contest will begin on June 6 and runs until Labour Day. The photo contest submission form will be posted on June 6th.
We have already seen our first Monarch, which is really early for us – unfortunately it did not stop for a photo. Also a Spring Azure, American Ladies and Mourning Cloaks have been spotted.
Our annuals will be arriving within the next 2 weeks, and we will be getting ready for a glorious summer. We look forward to seeing you.
Sweet Bee on Fleabane by Mark Williams May 21 2022Red Aphid on Speedwell by Mark Williams May 21 2022Hoverfly by Mark Williams May 17 2022Young Robin by Michelle Sharp May 15 2022
Congratulations to the winners in the Winter Photo Contest! You braved the weather and took some lovely photos. As one of the judges said: “It is always interesting to see what people notice on their walks in the Butterfly Garden and Canal Park”.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Good Luck for the Summer Photo Contest which begins in June.
JC/MM
YOUTH
First Place, Natural Winter Scenes. Kalan Post, Age 17, Hamilton.First Place, Birds & Other Wildlife – Northern Mockingbird. Kalan Post, Age 17, Hamilton.
ADULT
Honorable Mention, Natural Winter Scenes. Ken Kerr, Dundas.First Place, Natural Winter Scenes. Jamie Habkirk, Dundas.Honorable Mention, Birds & Other Wildlife – Pied-billed Grebe. Paul Mitro, Dundas.First Place, Birds & Other Wildlife – Hooded Merganser. Jamie Habkirk, Dundas.
Spring is in the air, and it looks like a rainy one.
The fully renovated Tree Swallow boxes are all mounted in Canal Park and we have a couple unexpected new residents checking out the real estate. Mark Williams managed to take lovely photographs of the new family on the block, and we hope they settle in successfully.
The results of the Winter Photo Contest will be announced on March 31, so look for them on this website.
The Hamilton Conservation Authority and the Urquhart Butterfly Garden invite you to participate in a very special Winter 2021-22 Photo Contest.
The contest encompasses the paths of the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and adjacent Canal Park. The diversity of vegetation offers an inspiring palette for winter photography composition. Large numbers of waterfowl roost in the Desjardins Canal each winter. Early morning or evening visits yield a greater chance to view these birds. Insects may be active on milder days and other wildlife can be spotted by the keen observer.
ENTRY FORM
This year, submissions will be accepted online through Google Forms and not via email as in the past. The entry form is available at the following link: 2021 Winter Photo Contest Entry Form
IMPORTANT: All of your photos entries must be submitted together with one completed form. Kindly wait until your full set of photos are ready before submitting. Repeat submissions will not be considered.
A Google account is required for submitting Google Forms. If you already have a Gmail address this is your Google Account, and you are set. If not, a Google account may be set up using any email address.
If you need any help troubleshooting Google Forms or do not wish to set up a Google account, please contact winterphotos2022@gmail.com for assistance.
WILDLIFE & PLANT IDENTIFICATION RESOURCES
A key component to the contest is learning about local wildlife! As such, correct identification is required for ALL birds and wildlife species photographed as well as any plant species which are the focal point of a photograph (more details in the Rules below).
Contest Opens: Wed., December 1st, 2021 All submissions due by: Mon., February 28th, 2022 , 11.59pm All photos must be taken during the contest period.
Age Categories: 1. Adult – Age 18 and up 2. Youth – Age 17 and under
Awards: First Prize Adult Categories – Annual Pass from Hamilton Conservation Authority First Prize Youth Under 18 Categories – $50 Cash
Honorary mentions at the discretion of the judges.
Award Announcement: Wed., March 30, 2022
Judges: To be announced
Rules:
> COVID regulations must be observed with regards to physical distancing (6 ft); masks should be worn when appropriate.
> If the entry is any form of wildlife the species MUST be correctly identified.
> If the entry is a close-up of a tree or plant under ‘Winter Scenes’ identify the subject if possible.
> Photos MUST be taken from the paths of either the Urquhart Butterfly Garden or the paths of Canal Park (including the deck).
> Photos are to be submitted without any digital editing, beyond cropping, adjustments of exposure, sharpness, or minor colour correction.
> Maximum size for each photo is 10MB
> Enter up to 3 photographs per category (maximum 6 total in the two categories).
> One Google Form entry per person (Submit all photos in a single entry; do not enter multiple form submissions.
> Entries to be submitted via Google Forms – A link to the entry form can be found on our website urquhartbutterfly.com.
> Deadline: 11:59 pm February 28th, 2022 – no late submissions will be accepted.
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden and Hamilton Conservation Authority reserve the right to use the photographs (with credit) on their websites or in local news media and social media, to promote the respective properties. Images will remain the copyright of the photographer.