The European Robin

This is a digital drawing I did of the European robin, drawn from a reference photo. This bird is found all across Europe (hence the name), but in January 2026 it was found for the very first time in Canada. I wanted to capture this nature milestone in a drawing.

You can learn more about the European robin sighting in the Smithsonian Magazine here.

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Vanishing Wings: Ontario's Biodiversity Crisis

Ontario is home to a unique collection of natural species. With scattered trees and waterways that sustain diverse organisms, these range from flying friends like the red-headed woodpecker to ground-trekking creatures like the spiny softshell turtle . However, the state of Ontario’s natural environment is in peril. These animals are on the species at risk list along with over 200 additional species in Ontario , showing that the vitality of the province’s rich wildlife is decreasing rapidly. Figure 1. A spiny softshell turtle. Why exactly is Ontario experiencing a decline in wildlife? One major reason is due to habitat loss and degradation , as species are facing more struggles to survive. As human settlements and developments expand, natural spaces are being replaced. Species end up abandoning these areas as conditions are no longer viable for them to thrive in . Therefore, prioritizing habitat restoration is essential for the recovery of at-risk species . Environmental org...

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Who would’ve thought that I would gain a newfound appreciation for salamanders? I remember the first time I held one during one of the labs I did in undergrad, where live reptiles and amphibians were brought in. That was when I held a salamander for the very first time. And it wasn’t until that moment when I realized how adorable they were. The blue-spotted salamander slowly crawled across my hands, exploring each crevice it reached. I couldn’t tell you how long I was watching the little creature, examining each movement it made. My fascination sparked even more what I learned about the genetic mysteries surrounding the blue-spotted salamander. There is a group of hybrid, unisexual lineages that are mainly female , and these hybridized salamanders are associated with both the pure blue-spotted salamander species and Jefferson salamander species . But what’s interesting is that this hybridized group has an unusual number of chromosome sets for vertebrates, ranging from three...

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