Snowy Owl, Irene Cholewka
LIFE – in Colonel Samuel Smith Park was a photography exhibition that ran from April 4, 2018 to July 21, 2018 in the Third Floor Gallery of the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre. The exhibit featured work by local nature photographer Irene Cholewka, who offered a unique compilation of diverse wildlife and beauty in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.
Irene is a self-taught photographer and has used Colonel Samuel Smith Park as her inspiration and subject matter. Throughout the exhibit, Irene offered photography tips combined with locations in the park so that people could go out and try to take photographs of their own.
Below you will find a collection of Irene’s photographs with the accompanying tips. Grab a camera, go to the park, and take your own photos as you are inspired by the beauty of the grounds!
For more of Irene Cholewka’s work, follow her on Instagram
Black Saddlebag, Irene Cholewka
“I always check the grasses for snakes, dragonflies and other bugs, or sometimes baby birds waiting for food. For close up photos of bugs, you should use a smaller lens. I use a 60mm macro lens. When I find my photos are too light or dark, I change my settings in Aperture mode to either allow in more or less light.” – Irene Cholewka
Frozen Pond, Irene Cholewka
“The viewing platform is one of my favourite places. I always start and finish my walks here. From the platform I usually see a nice variety of ducks, herons, and turtles. Keeping a microfiber cloth in your pocket or knapsack comes in handy since midges (small flies) like the camera lenses. Also keep an extra battery and memory card with you to help ensure that you can take as many photos as you want.” – Irene Cholewka
Red-tailed Hawk, Irene Cholewka
“Smaller birds can be seen in trees or hiding in bushes. It is always wise to look into trees because you might even see a Red-tailed Hawk. For tree shots, I like to use the Sigma 15-500mm f/6.3. It is also a good idea to make sure the sun is behind you when shooting or you might get a silhouette photo with no detail of your subject.” – Irene Cholewka
Muskrat, Irene Cholewka
“In winter, I love to check out the rocky areas of the park. You can find mink, muskrats, beavers, and if you get lucky, even a snowy owl trying to get some rest on a rock. Dress warmly! I usually wear two layers of pants and three sweaters depending on the temperature. It is helpful to have good gloves to keep your hands warm, and hand warmers too. It is wise to check your camera model to see what temperatures it can handle. This info can usually be found on the manufacturer page under their specs. I found that my Nikon D71000 can take photos in weather as cold as -20C.” – Irene Cholewka
The Monarch, Irene Cholewka
“Sitting in or near a meadow is always relaxing. Here, one can see all kinds of sparrows, Kingbirds, and a variety of butterflies, as well as beautiful flowers. I like to use a combination of lenses depending on how close I want my photos to be or if I want a panoramic view. The trick is to be patient and not do any quick movements as this scares the birds. Do everything slowly and take your time.” – Irene Cholewka
Building a Nest, Irene Cholewka
“In the spring, the pond in the Marina is an exciting place to watch Grebes nest and raise their babies. There is a bench to rest on while waiting for something to happen. It is best to take photos here early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun has passed over the pond.” – Irene Cholewka
Tree Swallow, Irene Cholewka
“In the Swallow Field, you can find Swallow nesting boxes and their inhabitants. They come every spring and stay well into late summer. These beautiful blue jewels of our park are a joy to watch as they chatter, twitter, and soar through the skies gathering insects so they can feed themselves and their young. Take a tripod, pick out a box, and let the fun begin! Make sure the sun is behind you so you can pick up the beautiful colors of the male and female swallows.” – Irene Cholewka
Dunlin, Irene Cholewka
“The lake is full of ducks, swans, and wonderful shore birds that like to crawl in-between the rocks. Some of the shore birds are very tiny and can easily be missed. My advice is find a rock, have a seat, and watch for movements. This photo is of a Dunlin, a very small shore bird that likes to run up and down the edge of the lake waters gathering food, usually aquatic invertebrates. They are a joy to watch as they scurry up and down the shores of Lake Ontario, usually found in groups of 3 or more. If you want to photograph this bird, the key is patience. If they run away down the shore, don’t follow them since they are most likely to come back.” – Irene Cholewka
Turtle, Irene Cholewka
“The turtles are very active in the park right now laying eggs everywhere! It is difficult to know because they bury their eggs and pat the ground down as if nothing disturbed it. Usually they lay the eggs at the edge of a grassy area (close to water) and we have noted that many have done this along the edges of the paths! Interesting fact: Painted Turtles’ eggs will incubate for 45-72 days, and those that do not hatch will stay buried over winter and emerge in the spring!” – Irene Cholewka
THE PIGEON'S PASSAGE 