Local Wildlife Photographer Dave Ellis Releases 2025 Calendars For Christmas Season

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Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis has released his calendars for 2025 depicting some of his best shots of nature taken throughout the year for the upcoming holidays.

“We have designed our 2025 wildlife calendars featuring some of our favorite photographs of Kawartha Lakes wildlife,” said Ellis. “The calendars are available now so that you can have them in time for Christmas and the New Year.”

There are three different calendar designs to choose from. Ellis requests that those interested in seeing a preview of the calendars or placing an order, email wildlife@eastlink.ca. They are hand-delivered throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The calendars have been printed locally to support Kawartha Lakes businesses according to Ellis.

“I really enjoy sharing my photos of our local wildlife with all of you and I look forward to meeting you when we deliver the calendars,” said. “We hope you like the calendars and thank you for your support.”

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David Tuan Bui's Top 10 Photos of 2023

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As I mentioned in last year’s edition, I do not espouse the thought of calling myself one of the best local photographers in Peterborough.

But with each year comes experience, growth and maturity in every skill I honed in my young and short journalism career. We are only taught so much in journalism school and another great way to learn is to go into the world and try.

Again, like last year, my skills and Rome were not built in a day, much like the thoughts and reasoning behind great Roman philosophers I studied at Trent University, such as St. Augustine of Hippo and Cicero (okay, I’m getting a little carried away).

Nonetheless, my quest for knowledge and tenacity to learn has not stopped and rightfully so if I want to continue my journalism career.

However, it is flattering to know that some pictures I took have been used commercially for local organizations such as the Rotary Club of Peterborough, Peterborough Business Social Club and Hospice Peterborough. They are definitely signs of improvement for sure.

Nonetheless, these are my top ten photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in chronological order:

RENEE OAKE (LEFT) WITH HER SON OSCAR WEINSTEIN (RIGHT) AFTER SWIMMING 150 LAPS IN THE LANE POOL. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The 37th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim held by the Rotary Club was back at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, raising money for Easter Seals and various Rotary projects.

This event has fundraised over $1.32 million since February and saw 19 teams try to raise over $50,000 for this year’s event.

A similar picture made my top five list last year with Renee Oake and her father Carl Oake. This year, it was her and her son Oscar Weinstein. You could see the jubilance of the two after Renee’s swim.

BURTON LEE, PETES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS (LEFT) ADDRESSING THE 165+ STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 AND 8 ABOUT HIS CAREER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TEAM. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Immediately looking at this picture, you could tell Burton Lee, former Peterborough Petes executive director of business operations, had the charisma to capture the attention of the young students.

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario and their World Choices program had students listen and learn intimately about the day-to-day lives of various careers.

We were also invited as guest speakers for this event too.

BUMSTEAD (LEFT) CAUGHT WALTER AFTER HIS THIRD CAST NOT A HALF-AN-HOUR INTO THE DERBY. HIS STEPFATHER JUSTIN DESBARBIEUX (RIGHT) DID IT LAST YEAR, FIVE DAYS INTO THE EVENT. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

We got a good look at ‘Walter’ from this shot as Ben Bumstead caught him just 30 minutes into the derby. He’s also the stepson of Justin Desbarbieux who caught it last year.

Walter is the top prize at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Under the Lock Fishing Derby held every year at the Peterborough Lift Locks.

PHOEBE M., 3, HAS BEEN A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE CENTRE FOR THE PAST YEAR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Peterborough Child & Family Centre marked their 40th anniversary with a new Playscape for their facility and Phoebe (pictured) was enjoying every second of it.

You can tell she’s enjoying the new playground, and all the parents in the background are enjoying watching their children play.

The PlayScape features a repurposed downhill slide, a circular track for walking and biking, a play kitchen, a canopy and other playground equipment. It replaced a tall climber that had occupied the outdoor space for several years.

Kelli Marshall of Hiawatha First Nation (pictured) dances in a fancy shawl at a pow wow at St. John Catholic Elementary School. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

St. John Catholic Elementary School had a pow-wow to celebrate Indigenous culture in mid-May.

Many students and faculty had Indigenous roots and saw Members of Hiawatha First Nations, Haudenosaunee and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation come together for the sacred event.

Kelli Marshall put her beautiful shawl on display and you could see all the colours and its design with this shot.

CELEBRITY GOLF ENTERTAINER AND INSTRUCTOR TODD KEIRSTEAD GETTING THE TRUST OF JENNIFER ARMSTRONG AS HE ROCKETS A TEE SHOT OFF HER AS ONE OF HIS MANY TRICK SHOTS. KEIRSTEAD WAS A GUEST ENTERTAINER AT THE 15TH HOLE AT THE QUARRY GOLF CLUB. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming golf tournament raised money to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure.

It turns out that celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead was at the event performing trick shots and I got a solid shot of what he could do.

@ptbo_canada Editor David helps @PGATOUR golf entertainer Todd Keirstead with a trick shot at the Quarry Golf Club for the third-annual “Be a Stant” St. Joseph’s at Fleming’s golf fundraiser tournament! #ptbo #ptbocanada #fyp #journalism #journalismlife #journalist #journalistlife #peterborough #news #followers➕ #follow #following #golf #golftiktok #golftok #golfer #golflife #sports #sportstiktok #trickshot #trickshots ♬ Golf - Clean Cutt Crew

Apparently, I may have been off my rocker that day, and I wanted to be a part of it myself.

Rhaelynn Gaspari, 5 (left), celebrating her friend Charlotte Miller’s birthday, 5 (right), during the grand opening. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

It may have been the grand opening for Rollz Ice Cream but these two cute little girls stole my camera’s attention.

It was a way to kick off Charlotte Miller’s fifth birthday with her friend and being surrounded by balloons is a great way to tell the world that it’s your day!

The parlour serves rolled ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, falooda, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), popping soda and ice cream burgers.

Big Wreck consists of Ian Thornley (pictured), Dave MacMillan, Chris Caddell and Sekou Lumumba. photo by David Tuan Bui.

I always look forward to at least one show every year at Peterborough Musicfest. This year, it was Big Wreck.

I got close to Ian Thornley and got a good shot. You could see everything on him down to every detail.

Of course, I got to enjoy the concert after I was done taking my photos for the night.

An unexpected champagne cork pop leads to a bubbly surprise for Dani Guppy (left) and Pete Dalliday (right). photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pete Dalliday and Dani Guppy of 'Fresh Mornings With Pete & Dani,’ recorded their 1,005th episode with 100.5 FM Fresh Radio, a huge milestone for these two.

The celebrations had an unexpected pop of a champagne bottle as Dalliday was unravelling it and I got a shot of their reaction, especially Guppy’s. Her face says it all.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

I was selected to be a play-by-play commentator for the North American Invitational (LAXNAI) for a third-straight year in Utica, N.Y. and it was the inaugural women’s tournament.

Peterborough’s Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough were playing for BP Lawyers and became tournament champions. Evans was also named MVP, so getting my shots and interviews was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Look at the size of that trophy. It was not small by any means. The expressions of the women, coupled with that championship, showed the prowess of lacrosse in Peterborough and the genuine hard work of winning an event.

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Local Wildlife Photographer Dave Ellis To Release 2024 Calendars For Christmas Season

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Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis has released his calendars for 2024 depicting some of his best shots of nature taken throughout the year for the upcoming holidays.

Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

“It is that time of year when we start looking ahead to the coming of the New Year,” said Ellis. “Astrid and I have designed our 2024 wildlife calendars featuring some very special photographs of our Kawartha Lakes wildlife.”

The calendars have been printed locally to support Kawartha Lakes businesses according to Ellis.

There are three different calendar designs to choose from. Ellis is requesting that those interested to see a preview of the calendars or to place an order can email wildlife@eastlink.ca.

“I really enjoy sharing my photos of our local wildlife with all of you and I look forward to meeting you when we deliver the calendars,” said Ellis. “We hope you like the calendars and thank you for your support.”

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Dave Ellis: June Photography Recap

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Dave Ellis is an Omemee-area wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada often features his work in our Good Morning PTBO posts, where a single shot captures a moment of time in nature.

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Streetscape Imagery to Be Captured in the City of Peterborough Starting July 17

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The City of Peterborough has contracted iLOOKABOUT to capture streetscape imagery- a panoramic visual representation of a street consisting of aspects such as the road, buildings, street furniture, trees and open spaces using a camera-mounted vehicle from July 17 to July 28.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

The imagery will be captured for all City-owned right of ways where vehicle access is permitted such as on roads, trails, parking lots and facilities.

The project is scheduled from Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 28 with weather permitting.

The City will provide vehicle escorts when the capture is taking place on City owned trails and facilities.

The imagery will be used by City staff to view urban forest vegetation, identify changes over time, view and analyze property related elements, and locate features. The imagery will not be released to the public because elements are not blurred to protect privacy.

For more information or additional inquiries, contact Kristine Muma, Geomatics/Mapping Division by email.

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May Photo Recap with Dave Ellis

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Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis shares his captures from the month of May; featuring many different environments and species of wildlife all over Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

PTBOCanada often features his work in our ‘Good Morning PTBO’ posts, which you can find on our social media accounts.

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April Photography In Review With Dave Ellis

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Omemee-based wildlife photographer Dave Ellis shares some of his captures from the month of April. You can see his work featured in our daily ‘Good Morning PTBO’ posts.

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Photos: Moose Spotted Roaming Bobcaygeon Neighbourhood

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Local man Frank Cairns shared photos of a moose in his Bobcaygeon neighbourhood.

Cairns shared his unique captures of the moose on his street in Perfectus Point, Bobcaygeon to social media.

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Photo Series of Unbelievable Dave Ellis Captures Prove Otter and Smallmouth Bass Are Not Photoshopped

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A ‘Good Morning PTBO’ picture by Dave Ellis posted to our social media platforms Thursday morning stirred up some speculation.

photo by dave ellis.

The one of a kind capture shows a local otter eating a smallmouth bass on the Otonabee River.

“When you shoot at a fast shutter speed the camera freezes the action and it sometimes looks unnatural,” Ellis explains. “I can assure you that the otter did catch this fish and the picture is not photoshopped.”

The series of captures below shows the otter catching the bass.

“Thank you for all of the nice comments on my photo. I really appreciate them and I am glad you enjoyed the photo. It was phenomenal to watch the otter catch this fish,” Ellis adds.

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February Photography In Review With Dave Ellis

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Dave Ellis is an Omemee-based wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada features his work in our daily ‘Good Morning PTBO’ posts. Here are some of his captures from the month of February.

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