This year felt like a very FULL twelve months; had one summer job, visited four different lakes, completed eight courses, went on vacation for the first time in almost ten years (foreshadowing), and still managed to bring my camera with me through most of those adventures.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the images I produced this year, particularly in the later half of the year since partaking in my first legitimate photography course. I can really see a difference in my composition, editing, and arranging abilities (more foreshadowing), comparing my photos from March to those taken in October.
In no particular order, please enjoy my own rendition of my 2024 photography: wrapped.
May - Tree Swallow at Kolb Park
On a spring evening in Kitchener, during a routine stop at Kolb Park, this area was COVERED in these tiny birds. They were dive-bombing all the bugs flying around at dusk and taking short breaks on perches, like the one photographed here. I love their sweet but sharp-looking shape, and the metallic blue is stunning.
Unknowingly, Tree Swallows would be added to my favourites list. I am a huge sucker for any blue birds. With their adorable appearance, I have a newfound appreciation for them after hearing comedian Jenny Slate describe swallows as "What? That thing could be a fish." and I wholeheartedly agree.
June - Common Loon & Moose family in Nippissing
This cottage trip was my favourite lake-visit of 2024 since it was the first cottage I've been too with just friends and no parents (don't worry, we behaved, no one drowned). I loved adventuring and spending quality time outside with my dearest friends.
The loon shown here was gracious enough to pose with its wings spread for me, and then later decided to get close to me and investigate my kayak with it's partner.
These moose parent and calf were spotted just as we were packing up to go home from our weekend getaway. This trip was so surreal.
June - Robber Fly at rare
This cutie was captured recovering after it was caught during a bumble bee survey to celebrate Pollinator Week at rare.
Something about its teeny tiny fingers (toes?) holding this massive-looking finger was so sweet, and we can't forget those eyes too!
July - Cormorant on a Pine in Muskoka
Witnessing this bird perched in a tree after only ever seeing it in water or standing on a log near the ground felt like an out of body experience.
I remember doing a double take asking myself 'What dinosaur just flew into this tree?'. Regardless, I'm in love with this shot. I love the sneaky silhouette of the Cormorant in the gaps of pine needles, and the golden hour lighting is the cherry on top.
I love the portrait, tighter shots I took of the bird, but its nice every once in a while to get a shot like this to take in more of the ecosystem rather than a single bird species.
March - Tundra Swan migration in Aylmer
Whenever I look at this photo, it feels like I've photographed an angel. The Tundra Swan migration in Aylmer was such an interesting experience.
I loved seeing the field absolutely covered in waterfowl, including some new geese and duck lifers that got added to the list. Hopefully, we can get an even better turnout this year!
September - Staredown with a White-breasted Nuthatch at FWR
Starting a photography course in the fall meant I got to play around with a new camera. I was shooting on a Nikon D3300 and I will definitely be on the hunt for a new DSLR, I love the crispness of the image.
To test it out, we stopped by FWR where the nuthatches were very friendly. The railing always has birds stopping by for a quick photo-op and to grab some seeds, and before they make their landing they have to survey the scene, which is how I caught this White-breasted Nuthatch.
Capturing these guys head-on always makes me laugh because it completely distorts their shape.
October - American Crow mid-blink in Uxbridge
This photo is one of my favourites of the year. Stopped by my partner's hometown around thanksgiving and visited Elgin pond briefly. It was covered in ducks, geese, some Trumpeter Swans, and tons of crows.
I am obsessed with the sharpness and contrast of this photo, especially given the fact that this crow is solid back. The best part of this shot has to be the moment I caught it mid-blink where you can see its eyelid.
These clear sets of eyelids act as goggles to keep dust and wind out of their eyes while still giving them some visibility.
October - Black-capped Chickadee on Goldenrod at Lynde Shores
As a part of my photography course, we had to build a major project on a sustainability topic of our choosing. I won't spoil it now since I will make a future blog about the process, but let's just say there were several outtakes from those shoots.
I visited Lynde Shores for parts of my project and obviously had to say hi to the songbirds on those trails. I have dozens of chickadee photos in my library, but most of them are seen eating from my hand or perched in a tree.
This shot felt special, particularly since there is so much bird seed available in this conservation area, that this chickadee decided to eat the goldenrod seeds. This didn't make the final project, but I still love the photo!
November - Pair of Blue Jays at FWR
As a study break from finals season, my partner and I set out for FWR (again) in search for the infamous Tufted Titmouse (which we did see!). As exciting as it was to see those birds, this place is always very active with birds getting really close to people on the boardwalk railing.
Every bird (and chipmunk) was very excited to have food readily available, it was funny watching some creatures shove through to get their share while others waited patiently for their turn. These Blue Jays were the ladder, looking so elegant while waiting for a snack. As common as these birds are, I am always so excited to see them, especially when I get a good shot like this one.
The stats of 2024
We can all agree that the best part of the 'wrapped' features is the stats to quantify how you spent your time and energy in the past year. I thought I'd share how my little passion project has grown in 2024, even if that growth was not astronomical.
This year felt like a rebuild, so I'm looking forward to what my photos will be in 2025, and I can't wait to grow as an artist and share them with you! Happy new year!
Instagram stats:
Followers: 235 (25 net gain)
Posts: 64 photo posts + 23 reels = 87 total posts
Top post: Moose with 41 likes
Top reel: 'Things I ate recently...' with 69 likes and 3,270 views
Bird stats:
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