Greg Shchepanek

 Adoption on NatureServe.org Ghost Tiger Beetle ( Ellipsoptera lepida ) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Conservation Status: imperiled (N2N3) in Canada (NatureServe) I recently discovered that I can adopt a species on the NatureServe Explorer website and I was able to choose my most prized and favourite little species the  Ghost Tiger Beetle . On the site you can choose almost anything under the  Adopt a Species  initiative and even request a special adoption which is what I did and chose to honour my father with a gift a species. The initiative is probably not on your radar and I wanted to let you know what a wonderful option it is as a gift idea. Just imagine that your favourite species out there can be help and supported through this action. The staff of NatureServe were so helpful and committed during the adoption process and they also featured one of my photographs, the one featured above. I may continue to adopt the ghost because in Canada they are imperiled but ov...

  Celebrating the Monarch Butterfly. Monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) Dominion Arboretum Ornamental Garden, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. National Geographic January 2024 Cover. National Geographic has chosen Monarch Butterflies  ( Danaus plexippus ) as its feature for January 2024. The poor Monarch is going through its  woes as of late having the IU CN Red List of Threatened Species list  it as vulnerable in 2023 Migratory Monarch Butterfly  . Here in Ontario, Canada we find the Monarch to with the  Conservation Status: imperiled (S2N,S4B) in Ontario, CA (NatureServe). Which is more worrisome for the poor species. These beautiful butterflies migrate from here in Canada all the way to Mexico and they used to be seen all over Canada doing their thing on Milkweed plants each year. Now we are lucky if we just see one for the year.    My only photo capture of a Monarch this year in Ontario 2023. The once numerous encounters with this insect are now gone, I co...

 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 20...

 Photography Site : Continued 2018 was a good year for Monarch s & I came across them pretty much anywhere I went and it was a great blessing to see these beauties fluttering about in the wild.  Monarch Butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ) Jack Pine Trail, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Taken on July 20, 2018. Conservation Status: imperiled (S2N,S4B) in Ontario, CA (NatureServe). I am hoping 2021 will be a Monarch year. Little man Black Squirrel posing for the camera nicely.  Eastern Gray Squirrel Black Phase ( Sciurus carolinensis ) Britannia Conservation Area, Mud Lake, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Taken on December 9, 2017. Mud Lake is the best place to go if you want some beautiful Squirrel captures they are most friendly here on the trails.