Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer 2025 Photo Contest Winners

Posted on October 23, 2025 by urquhartbutterfly

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Urquhart Butterfly Garden Photo Contest! We were so impressed and inspired by the artistry, wildlife diversity, and specific moments you captured in your photo submissions. It is always exciting to see the Garden through your eyes.

We’d like to extend a BIG thank you to everyone who entered the contest and to our judges who did the very difficult job of selecting the winners.

Honorable Mention: Virginia Creeper, Angel Wang, Hamilton — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Virginia Creeper*, Angel Wang, Hamilton

Honorable Mention: Dutchman's Pipe, Kate Watkinson, Hamilton — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Dutchman’s Pipe*, Kate Watkinson, Hamilton

Second Place: Zinnia, Mark Vanderbeek, Hamilton — **SECOND PLACE:** *Zinnia*, Mark Vanderbeek, Hamilton

First Place: Eastern Redbud, Laura Casuccio, Dundas — **FIRST PLACE:** *Eastern Redbud*, Laura Casuccio, Dundas (Hamilton)

Honorable Mention: Spined Soldier Bug with Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Steve Owen, Etobicoke — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Spined Soldier Bug with Common Eastern Bumble Bee*, Steve Owen, Etobicoke

Honorable Mention: Halloween Pennant, Michelle Sharp, Dundas — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Halloween Pennant*, Michelle Sharp, Dundas (Hamilton)

Second Place: Chinese Mantis, Barbara Bialon, Oakville — **SECOND PLACE**: *Chinese Mantis*, Barbara Bialon, Oakville

First Place: Sweat Bee, Dean Hughes, Burlington — **FIRST PLACE**: *Sweat Bee*, Dean Hughes, Burlington

Honorable Mention: Silver-spotted Skipper, Michelle Sharp, Dundas — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Silver-spotted Skipper*, Michelle Sharp, Dundas (Hamilton)

Honorable Mention: Hummingbird Clearwing, Don Leslie, Stoney Creek — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Hummingbird Clearwing*, Don Leslie, Stoney Creek (Hamilton)

Second Place: Ailanthus Webworm, Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster — **SECOND PLACE**: *Ailanthus Webworm*, Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster (Hamilton)

First Place: Pair of Giant Swallowtail, Marsha Wright, Waterdown — **FIRST PLACE**: *Pair of Giant Swallowtail butterflies*, Marsha Wright, Waterdown

Honorable Mention: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Geoffrey Dunn — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Ruby-throated Hummingbird*, Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster (Hamilton)

Honorable Mention: Meadow Vole retrieving a Mulberry, Mark Williams, Hamilton — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Meadow Vole retrieving a Mulberry*, Mark Williams, Hamilton

Honorable Mention: American Toad, Marsha Wright, Waterdown — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *American Toad*, Marsha Wright, Waterdown

Honorable Mention: Cedar Waxwing, Steve Owen, Etobicoke — **HONORABLE MENTION:** *Cedar Waxwing*, Ingrid Hann, Burlington

Second Place: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Barbara Bialon, Oakville — **SECOND PLACE:** *Ruby-throated Hummingbird*, Barbara Bialon, Oakville

First Place: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mark Williams, Hamilton — **FIRST PLACE:** *Ruby-throated Hummingbird*, Mark Williams, Hamilton

Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer 2024 Photo Contest Winners

Posted on October 3, 2024 by urquhartbutterfly

We are proud to present the winning entries of the 2024 Summer Photo Contest in the gallery below. A warm Thank You to all who entered!

Before we unveil the winners we have a short feature on an interesting observation during the contest.

Meadow Vole: Photo by Michelle Sharp, Dundas.

The Meadow Voles, of which there are many at the UBG, run backwards and forwards between the rocks. During one of our summer hikes this little female had accidentally dropped her newborn on the middle of a path and become totally confused about what to do next. Pretty quickly she turned around, grabbed her baby, and was gone. Certainly strange and interesting, and worthy of some explanation.

PLANTS & FLOWERS

Honorary Mention: Wingstem. Mark Williams, Hamilton.

Honorary Mention: Japanese Anemone. Kim Park, Hamilton.

Second Prize: Zinnia Garden. Mark Williams, Hamilton.

First Prize: Verbena bonariensis and Zinnia. Teddy Hudson, Hamilton.

Insects, Spiders, & Bugs

Honorary Mention: Ambush Bug with Honeybee. Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster.

Honorary Mention: Praying Mantis. Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster.

Second Prize: Hoverfly. Doug Lay, Unionville.

First Prize: Transverse-banded Flower Fly. Sean Clipston, Brantford.

Birds & Other Wildlife

Honorary Mention: Cedar Waxwing. Mark Williams, Hamilton.

Honorary Mention: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. Barbara Bialon, Oakville.

2nd Prize: Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Geoffrey Dunn, Ancaster.

First Prize: Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Michelle Sharp, Dundas.

Butterflies & Moths

Honorary Mention: Great-spangled Fritillary. Carolyn Jez, Burlington.

Honorary Mention: Ailanthus Webworm Moth. Doug Lay, Burlington.

Honorary Mention: Peck’s Skipper. Allison Gregor, Etobicoke.

Honorary Mention: American Snout. Michelle Sharp, Dundas.

Second Prize: Summer Azure. Andy Kwan, Mississauga.

First Prize: Red Admiral. Doug Lay, Unionville.

2021 Photo Contest

Posted on June 20, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

***UPDATE August 01, 2021***
Please note that the Photo Contest rules previously stated 3 photos in 4 categories for a total of up to 8 photos. This was an error and has been corrected. The rule now states Enter up to 3 photos per category (maximum 12 photos).

Spring is rushing into Summer. Butterflies are coming, new ones every day. There is also lots of interesting bug activity for the sharp eyed nature watcher. We have young rabbits and some chipmunks along with the usual voles, however there has been a mink visiting, so small mammals will need to be very careful.

The mulberries are ripening and the birds are flocking to them, see how many species you can spot.

Matt Mills, nature interpreter and gardener, started work in early June. He’s always happy to answer your questions and is very skilled at identification, so don’t be shy with your queries.

Our regular postings of photos Seen in the Garden will begin again this week. The Photo Contest starts on Friday, June 25, so good luck with your sightings!

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