Greg Shchepanek

  Surprising Macro Photography for an October Day Eastern Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis ) Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail, Ontario, Canada. Every year I go with a friend on a long hike along the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail to Orleans. Most of the time there is very little to see as it is always in late Autumn that we go on our stroll along the boundaries of the Mer Bleue Conservation Area . Came across this adorable Garter Snake who was a great poser for the camera. Macro subjects were found on the edge of the path & birds fluttered in the trees, flora & fauna was there to be discovered. I guess you just have to take a closer look to find the little things of this nature world. Clouded Sulphurs ( Colias philodice ) fluttered in the breeze of the day. Common Milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) seeds popped from their pods & waved in the wind on the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail, Ontario, Canada. Mealy Pixie-cup ( Cladonia cholorophaea ) lichen

  The Little guy was Doing his Thing Eastern Chipmunk ( Tamias striatus ) was on the shoreline of the Ottawa River performing all kinds of cute acts. He was totally unafraid of the clicking camera & I was able to come quite close to him while he was doing Chipmunk things. To tell the truth this was I believe the first time I have seen one of these little critters yawn, I don't know if he was bored or just tired from the day. I do love to document these little guys for they do the darnedest & cutest acts infant of the camera at times. He was aware of me but just didn't give a damn while he preened & carried on. He was such a nice little surprise at the Britannia Conservation Area, Mud Lake, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Big Yawn. Playing with his nose. Wishing for more nuts ... possibly ? Very aware of the camera.

  Had an Extensive Hike in the Woods the Other Day The Stoney Swamp Trail System is located in the city of Ottawa's Greenbelt protected lands and is a popular location for outdoor enthusiasts to partake in hiking , biking & just spending time in the woods. There is a network of trails that comprise the swamp complex, they include : Stoney Swamp ; Beaver trail , Chipmunk trail ; Lime Kiln , Jack Pine & a whole host of other small trails that make up this area of forest located in the city boundaries. There was a wealth of mushroom colonies in the damp woods & I will try not to overpower this blog posting with them. American Toad ( Anaxyrus americanus ) Stoney Swamp Trails, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Little caps of Mycena ( Mycena alphitophora ) Stoney Swamp Trails, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The small White Heath Aster ( Symphyotrichum ericoides ) Stoney Swamp Trails, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Young Sporangia Slime Mould ( Hemitrichia calyculata ) Stoney Swamp Trails,

 The old Wise Ones of the Desert Mojave Desert Tortoise  ( Gopherus agassizii ) Kelso Sand Dunes • Mojave National Preserve, California, United States. Listed as vulnerable: Conservation Status: imperiled (S2) in California, US (NatureServe). It was an absolute dream to come across this old guy in the Mojave Desert. It was totally " Why did the turtle cross the road ... " & he sure took his time in doing so. But this magnificent creature of the desert was sheer joy to photograph & he kept his gaze upon me as he slowly moved along. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. I have always been so fortunate & lucky with my encounters with wildlife & this guy was surely to make a top position in my adventures in the great outdoors. Who ever thought I would come across one of these rare & precious reptiles while wondering the hot desert ? This all happened while I was on a trip with my father to the American Desert way back in April of 2016. It was a most wonder

  At Home Watching Cartoons & Goofing off on the Interweb Some videos I put together this week : Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Bronzed Tiger Beetle : Autumn Meadowhawk : Been spending most of the day photographing weird things like rocks & fridge magnets : The things I get up to on a cold rainy autumn day. I was suppose to go on a long hike today ... but the rain rain did not go away. Thank goodness I had National Drink Beer Day & International Coffee Day to celebrate this week. I also took a four day weekend ... so I have been goofing off for quite a bit this weekend. Any hoo I hope you like the videos, it was my first attempts at creating a macro video. & boy oh boy you can see the shaking & the problem of keeping focus. Hopefully in time I will get better, when I purchase a gimbal or a tripod.