Cheryl Parker Photography

Cheryl Parker Photography Photographer specializing in capturing the beauty of nature & wildlife

12/18/2025

My sister’s cat, Fuzzy. 🩷

12/18/2025

If you enjoy these images please come check out more of my photography Cheryl Parker Photography

phot

12/08/2025

📸✨ Hey everyone!

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you for being here, even while things have been a bit quiet on this page. Lately, I haven’t had much motivation to get out and take photos, and my creativity has definitely been in a little slump.

I’m really hoping that the new year brings a fresh spark — the kind that gets me back outside, camera in hand, doing what I love again. Your support and patience mean more than you know, and I’m grateful for everyone who’s stuck around through the slower moments.

Here’s to new inspiration, new adventures, and capturing beautiful moments again soon. 💚📷
Thank you for staying with me.

— Cheryl Parker Photography

Marpissa muscosa jumping spider is a species of jumping spider, with females averaging 7.5-14mm in body length and males...
07/28/2024

Marpissa muscosa jumping spider is a species of jumping spider, with females averaging 7.5-14mm in body length and males averaging 6-8.1mm. Both sexes are grey-brown in color and have a furry, flattened appearance.

The species constructs nests under dead tree bark, with up to 100 nests beside each other. Weaker animals display subordination by raising their front legs and retreating slowly, demonstrating a social hierarchy. Early environmental conditions shape personality types in developing spiders.

Jumping spiders do not spin webs to catch prey, but instead rely on their impressive eyesight to locate and stalk their victims, pouncing with their powerful legs. The Fencepostjumping spider (Marpissa muscosa) is particularly adept at capturing large prey, including other spiders. 🕷️

© 2024 All Rights Reserved by Cheryl Parker Photography

During my Saturday photo walk, I encountered numerous green herons at Lake Victoria. I'm thrilled to have finally captur...
07/15/2024

During my Saturday photo walk, I encountered numerous green herons at Lake Victoria. I'm thrilled to have finally captured one of these stunning birds on camera!

© 2024 All Rights Reserved by Cheryl Parker Photography

Coccinella septempunctata, also known as the seven-spot ladybird, is a carnivorous beetle native to the Old World and is...
09/18/2023

Coccinella septempunctata, also known as the seven-spot ladybird, is a carnivorous beetle native to the Old World and is the most common ladybird in Europe. It is also found in North America, Central and Eastern Asia, and temperate regions.

Follow me on Instagram
📧 [email protected]

© 2023 All Rights Reserved by Cheryl Parker Photography

The Yellowjacket Wasp (Vespula or Dolichovespula species) is a social wasp known for its black and yellow banded body an...
09/17/2023

The Yellowjacket Wasp (Vespula or Dolichovespula species) is a social wasp known for its black and yellow banded body and sleek, narrow waist. Unlike bees, yellowjackets have a smooth exoskeleton with minimal hairs and fold their transparent, slightly brown-tinted wings lengthwise when at rest. Their long, curved antennae and bright yellow legs further distinguish them from other wasps and pollinators.

These wasps are opportunistic predators and scavengers, feeding on nectar, fruits, and small insects. They are important for pollination, though less efficient than bees, and play a crucial role in controlling insect populations. Yellowjackets are highly social, living in large colonies with nests built underground, in tree hollows, or within man-made structures. Their colonies begin in spring, when a single queen starts a nest, and grow throughout the summer as worker wasps take over foraging and nest maintenance.

Unlike honeybees, yellowjackets can sting multiple times without dying, making them more aggressive when disturbed. While they are often seen as a nuisance due to their attraction to human food, they are essential to the ecosystem, acting as both pollinators and natural pest controllers.

The bumblebee (Bombus species) is a large, fuzzy pollinator belonging to the Apidae family. It is easily recognized by i...
09/08/2023

The bumblebee (Bombus species) is a large, fuzzy pollinator belonging to the Apidae family. It is easily recognized by its black and yellow bands, robust body, and dense hairs, which help it collect pollen efficiently. Its large, black compound eyes are positioned on the sides of its head, providing a wide field of vision. The semi-transparent wings beat rapidly, allowing the bee to hover and move between flowers with agility.

Bumblebees are crucial pollinators, using a technique called buzz pollination (sonication) to release pollen from certain flowers. They feed on nectar for energy and collect pollen as a protein source for their colony. Unlike honeybees, bumblebees live in small colonies with a single queen, workers, and male drones. They often nest in abandoned rodent burrows, grassy areas, or hollow logs.

These bees can fly in cooler temperatures and lower light conditions, making them more adaptable pollinators than many other bee species. They play a vital role in pollinating wildflowers and crops, including tomatoes, blueberries, and clover. While they do not produce large amounts of honey, their efficiency as pollinators is unmatched.

Bumblebee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change, raising conservation concerns. Despite their large size, they are gentle and non-aggressive, stinging only when provoked. Their presence is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a species of dragonfly found across North America. Unlike many dragonflies ...
09/08/2023

The Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a species of dragonfly found across North America. Unlike many dragonflies that disappear by late summer, this species remains active well into October and November.

It is a small dragonfly, typically measuring 30-35 mm (1.2-1.4 inches) in length. Males are bright red or reddish-orange, while females and juveniles are yellowish-brown, sometimes turning red as they mature. Their large, reddish-brown compound eyes provide exceptional vision, helping them detect prey. Their transparent wings allow for precise and agile flight, and they lack the extensive black markings seen in some other Sympetrum species.

Autumn Meadowhawks are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, ponds, and meadows throughout Canada and the United States. They prefer open, sunlit areas near water, where they breed and hunt.

These dragonflies are efficient predators, feeding on small flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies. They often perch on twigs, dried plants, and grasses, using their surroundings as a hunting vantage point. Males establish small territories near water, while females lay their eggs in shallow water or damp soil, where larvae develop before emerging as adults the following summer.

Autumn Meadowhawks play an important role in controlling insect populations. They are also a food source for birds, amphibians, and larger dragonflies. Their presence is a good indicator of healthy wetland ecosystems. While they are not endangered, habitat loss and climate change may impact their populations over time.

This species’ resilience, adaptability, and striking coloration make it a fascinating subject for both scientific study and photography.

© 2023 All Rights Reserved by Cheryl Parker Photography

European garden spiderAraneus diadematus, commonly called the pumpkin spider although this name is shared with a differe...
09/06/2023

European garden spider
Araneus diadematus, commonly called the pumpkin spider although this name is shared with a different species (Araneus marmoreus), is characterized by its impressive webs and distinctive markings on its abdomen. It can be found across parts of both Europe and North America due to human introduction.

Follow me on Instagram
📧 [email protected]

© 2023 All Rights Reserved by Cheryl Parker Photography

Address

Toronto, ON

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cheryl Parker Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category