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.

Summer Education Series 2024

Posted on July 21, 2024 by urquhartbutterfly

Brought to you with the generous support of the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation and the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

Download event poster pdf here

Seen in the Garden 2024

Posted on June 29, 2024 by urquhartbutterfly

September 23, 2024

American Goldfinch on cup plant—Carolyn Jez

Female Monarch on Mexican Sunflower—Carolyn Jez

Northern Cardinal on the trail—Carolyn Jez

Juvenile Black-Crowned Night Heron, taking off—Carolyn Jez

July 14, 2024

Red Admiral on button bush—Michelle Sharp

July 9, 2024

Goldenrod Crab Spider, on milkweed—Ken Kerr

July 7, 2024

Black Swallowtail on buddleia—Michelle Sharp

July 4, 2024

Pipevine Swallowtail on purpletop vervain—Michelle Sharp

July 1, 2024

Great Spangled Fritillary on Coneflower—Carolyn Jez

White Marked Tussock Moth caterpillar—Carolyn Jez

Question Mark on Gooseneck Loosestrife—Carolyn Jez

Red Admiral on Gooseneck Loosestrife—Carolyn Jez

June 30, 2024

Great Spangled Fritillary—Michelle Sharp

June 26, 2024

Monarch caterpillar on milkweed leaf—Ken Kerr

June 24, 2024

June 22, 2024

A pair of Thorn Mimic Treehoppers—Ken Kerr

June 21, 2024

June 20, 2024

Monarch female on milkweed—Michelle Sharp

June 15, 2024

June 11, 2024

Upside-down spider making a web—Ken Kerr

June 8, 2024

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail—Michelle Sharp

June 5, 2024

May 20, 2024

Summer Photo Contest 2024

Posted on June 29, 2024 by urquhartbutterfly

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all who are participating in the Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer 2024 Photo Contest!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding species identification or help with submitting to the contest.

The contest email address is: ubgsummer2024@gmail.com

Please note that ALL entries must be submitted on one entry form, so it is best to wait until closer to the contest deadline to submit. Also note that photos with the species identification (ID) missing will not be considered. For ID help, check bugguide.net, iNaturalist.org, or a birding field guide such as the Sibley Guide or Sibley Birding App. A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America or the ROM Field Guide to Butterflies of Ontario are both excellent field guides for butterflies. Conversely, consult a friend, or reach out to the contest email address before the contest deadline with any questions.

A full copy of the rules may be found on the posters below.

The Summer 2024 Contest Entry Form may be found at the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/UBGForm

Best of Luck!

Winter Photo Contest 2023-24 Winners

Posted on March 29, 2024 by urquhartbutterfly

It was a joy to see the many wonderful photos entered into the 2024 Winter Photo Contest. A big ‘Thank you’ to our judges who did a very difficult job, of selecting the winners. Plus thanks to the Hamilton Conservation Authority for once again playing a pivotal role.

It seems to have been such a strange winter, and the contest organizers are just waiting for spring to get moving along so we can begin the Summer 2024 – 2025 Photo Contest. But who would have believed that a photographer would manage to take a photo of an inquisitive caterpillar on a midwinter Ontario morning?

Thank you to the photographers, and all the support we receive to ensure the success of the contest!

NATURAL WINTER SCENES