Adam J. Blake

From the Field – Western
Scrub-Jay

by ajblake on October 6, 2013 { 1 comment }

Western Scrub Jay

Aphelocoma californica, Corvidae
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 6, 2013

I’m trying out a new workflow to submit a quick post directly from the field on my iPhone. I’ll talk more about the process in an upcoming gear post. Bare with me as I work through the kinks.

I finally got my lifer Western Scrub Jay this morning out in Maple Ridge. The photo isn’t great but is a decent record shot.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on October 6, 2013 { 2 comments }

Morning-glory Plume Moth

Emmelina monodactyla, Pterophoridae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
October 4, 2013

Given the recent rainy weather, I had been planning to raid the archives for this weeks photo, but I was saved on Friday when my photo of the week fluttered almost literally into my lap. I was working in the greenhouse when I spotted this beautiful plume moth flutter by and land on one of the greenhouse lights. It was kind enough to stay put long enough for me to walk back to the annex to grab a vial to collect it. The larva of this moth feed on members of the Convolvulaceae like Hedge Bindweed, which I have seen growing just south of the greenhouses. I have a few more shots of the moth up on Flickr.

Colorado Potato Beetle

by ajblake on October 1, 2013 { 5 comments }

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 30, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 30, 2013

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 30, 2013

Mating Colorado Potato Beetles

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
& <i>Solanum tuberosum</i>, Solanaceae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 31, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle on a Potato Plant

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
& Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

A couple weeks ago I took some time between bioassays to take some photos of one of my study organisms. The Colorado Potato Beetle is an important pest of potato crops worldwide. Both the adult and larva of the beetle feed on potato leaves. Unlike many agricultural pests the potato beetle is native to North America, although it is invasive in Europe and Asia. The beetle was originally associated with Buffalo-bur but expanded its host range to include potato crops in the 1840s. The leaf feeding habits, the economic importance, and relatively well described vision all make the Colorado Potato Beetle a good candidate for my research with polarized light.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on September 29, 2013 { 2 comments }

Pumpkin Patch

Cucurbita pepo var. pepo, Cucurbitaceae
UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
September 23, 2013

While my parents were visiting last week we took a trip with my Uncle to the Botanical Garden at UBC. While we were visiting out of prime season I was blown away by the size and diversity on the garden. I’ll definitely need to return in the spring when there extensive collection of Magnolias and Rhododendrons are blooming. Despite the late season we did see some colourful plants like this Pumpkin. Fun fact: a modified berry with a hard rind such as this pumpkin is known botanically as a Pepo.

Field Notes – Green Point Campground, September 10, 2013

by ajblake on September 24, 2013 { 0 comments }

<p>Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 9, 2013</p>

Foggy Forest

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

<p><i>Oligocottus maculosus</i>, Cottidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 9, 2013</p>

Tidepool Sculpin

Oligocottus maculosus, Cottidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

<p><i>Pagurus</i> sp., Paguridae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 9, 2013</p>

Hermit Crab

Pagurus sp., Paguridae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

Green Point Intertidal Zone

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

<p><i>Nereocystis luetkeana</i>, Laminariaceae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 9, 2013</p>

Bull Kelp Pneumatocyst

Nereocystis luetkeana, Laminariaceae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

<p>Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,<br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 9, 2013</p>

Hippies Love Bull Kelp

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

Long Beach

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 9, 2013

<p><i>Ariolimax columbianus</i>, Ariolimacidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,<br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Pacific Banana Slug

Ariolimax columbianus, Ariolimacidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Pisaster ochraceus</i>, Asteriidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Ochre Sea Star

Pisaster ochraceus, Asteriidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Pycnopodia helianthoides</i>, Asteriidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Sunflower Sea Star

Pycnopodia helianthoides, Asteriidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Anthopleura xanthogrammica</i>, Actiniidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Retracted Giant Green Anemone

Anthopleura xanthogrammica, Actiniidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Pollicipes polymerus</i>, Pollicipedidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Gooseneck Barnacle

Pollicipes polymerus, Pollicipedidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Mytilus californianus</i>, Mytilidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

California Mussel

Mytilus californianus, Mytilidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Anthopleura elegantissima</i>, Actiniidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Aggregating Anemone

Anthopleura elegantissima, Actiniidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Pleurobrachia</i> sp., Pleurobrachiidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Sea Gooseberry

Pleurobrachia sp., Pleurobrachiidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Anthopleura xanthogrammica</i>, Actiniidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Giant Green Anemones

Anthopleura xanthogrammica, Actiniidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p>Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Combers Beach

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Calidris alba</i>, Scolopacidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

One Foot Running (Juvenile Sanderlings)

Calidris alba, Scolopacidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

Juvenile Sanderling

Calidris alba, Scolopacidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Charadrius semipalmatus</i>, Charadriidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus, Charadriidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

Juvenile Sanderlings

Calidris alba, Scolopacidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p><i>Passerculus sandwichensis</i>, Emberizidae<br />
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis, Emberizidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

<p>Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, <br />
British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 10, 2013</p>

Sunset over Box Island

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 10, 2013

Sara had a week off before she started her new job so we took a short trip out to Tofino. We were lucky enough to get a campsite at Green Point Campground with a great view of Long Beach. The sunset picture at the end of the set was actually taken right from our campsite. Long Beach is truly breathtaking locale with a sharp transition between the vast sandy beach and temperate rainforest. [click to continue…]

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on September 22, 2013 { 1 comment }

Hydralisk

Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 16, 2013

With the rainy weather lately I haven’t been out shooting much, so today’s shot was just a throwaway test shot that I ended up really liking. This shot really shows off the (pseudo) macro ability of my 70-300 mm lens which will focus as close as 1.4 m and has a maximum reproductive ratio of 1:4. The subject matter is my Hydralisk action figure. For those not in the know, the Hydralisk is a Zerg ranged unit from the real time strategy game StarCraft. In the background of the photo you can also make out Sara’s wedding bouquet.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on September 15, 2013 { 1 comment }

Gooseneck Barnacle

Pollicipes polymerus, Pollicipedidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,
British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

Here is my favorite photo from the trip Sara and I took out to Tofino last week. We did some exploring of the rocky tide pools of Green Point, where I found this patch of barnacles. This species is easily separated from other intertidal barnacles by its long peduncle. Look for a full report on our Tofino trip later this week.