This Toronto photographer’s shots of the Don River wildlife bring joy to thousands online

Earlier this spring, in a patch of woods in one of the parks along the west Don River, Steven Shpak, decked out in camouflage clothing, got down on the ground to capture photos of the big bird at eye level. “I’m just looking at this turkey walking up to me, closer and close, making me nervous, but I had to get those shots,” he said with a laugh. Shpak calls the variety of wildlife he sees in the Don River system “mind-boggling,” but he is concerned about how the animals’ habitat might be threatened by upcoming bridge construction. A chance encounter with a crying woman on a bench early in his exploration of the Don River trails drove him to want to share his work. Shpak also seeks to educate his audience about the importance of respecting any animals they may encounter, urging people not to approach them.