CA, Ontario: Evening walks & Birdwatching – Riverwood Conservancy

The caressing sun is whispering promises to melt the snow by the end of the day.

Two years ago I spent Earth Day planting some trees. This year I’m still looking at the melting snow. And it will melt soon, as the Mother Nature was very generous with us this weekend (after last weekend lashes of freezing rain, snow, ice pellets and strong wind). But the nature is always recovering, and we along with her.

I invite you today for a walk in the park.

Pine Sanctuary – contemplative art at the entrance of Riverwood Conservancy

Nestled along the Credit River, Riverwood Conservancy is a 150 acres park with many trails, plenty wildlife, and glorious views.

Habitat to more than 475 species of animals and plants, including over 150 species of birds, the park is also known to fishermen for the historic Credit River, where salmon and trout swim up the river in certain season.

Riverwood is a nice example of how a large park with wildlife can co-exist with the sixth most populous municipality in Canada.

Squirrel eating birds food

Hairy woodpecker

Wood duck – a new species in the neighbourhood

Coopers hawk

A walk in the park is always relaxing me, and no matter which trail I take, cheerful birds follow me everywhere. Birding is a recent hobby I got, after last summer spent in the Kawartha Lakes area, and last fall in Cuba.

The trails are shared by walkers, joggers, or bikers. And of course by enthusiast birdwatchers like me.

White-breasted nuthatch

American robin

Squirrels never shy away from eating bird food

Canada geese coming our from the hidden nest

A pair of ground doves hurrying away from the main trail

Mallard duck

A little sparrow at the river

Even though springtime might be late this year, the bird’s songs are enchanting our senses. Some of them are shy, but some of them are daring, coming to eat the seeds from my hand.

Happy Earth Day my friends!

Advertisements

US, Michigan: Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Even though we wanted to be at the Refuge entrance before sunrise, we were not able to be there. We were wondering if the late barbeque we had the night before or the stars I couldn’t stop gazing at in the middle of the night had something to do with this. Anyway, with a fresh enthusiasm we got to the Refuge gate around 10 am, an hour drive from Munising, where our host was living. The late August sun was up in the sky, and I knew the wildlife was well hidden at that late hour of the morning. The refuge is vast, and has several trails for hikers, or bikers, and needs a lot of time to have it explored. Since we were late already, we decided to have only the drive-through ride, with few stops along the way.

US, Michigan: The road to Tahquamenon Falls went through Paradise

Leaving Canadian land via the International Bridge that links the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie of Ontario and Michigan let us have a glimpse of what kind of weather would be greeting us in the neighbouring country, where we were going to continue our road trip around Huron Lake.

After a beautiful and serene sunset on the St Mary’s River shore, we didn’t expect this kind of weather. Gloomy clouds and foggy roads were following us from the morning, but when we saw the post of Paradise town, we knew the rain would stop soon.

CA, Ontario: Bruce Peninsula – Tobermory – Flowerpot Island – Grotto

After four hours of driving north of Toronto, getting to Tobermory was like a great relief. Tobermory is located at the top of Bruce peninsula, where Huron Lake meets Georgian Bay. Small town but full of life, this is a destination for everyone.

US, Wyoming: Geysers and Hot springs of Yellowstone National Park

“Double, double, toil and trouble/Fire burn and cauldron bubble” .. We couldn’t think of anything else when ice started pouring from the sky, while mud was boiling from the ground.

US, Wyoming: Heights and highlights of Yellowstone NP

After a night spent in Greybull and a quick stop in Cody, the road took us from Devils Tower to Yellowstone National Park. It was still morning when we reached the East Entrance. The long lines at the entrance didn’t scare us, we were excited to get in the park. The Interagency pass we obtained at our first destination (Badlands National Park) let us move quickly once we had arrived at the booth. I didn’t really notice when the scarce vegetation thickened and became greener, and when the surrounding heights became elevated.

CA, Alberta: Jasper National Park – Sunwapta Falls, Goat Lick, Maligne and Medicine Lake, Edith Cavell Mt – Angel Glacier and Ghost Glacier

Continuing our way up north on Icefields Parkway, after leaving Banff National Park, we pursued our adventure through Jasper National Park. Do you think we run out of superlatives in BNP?.. that was not really the case.

CA, Alberta: Banff National Park – Bow Valley Parkway, Johnson Canyon, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake

Leaving Canmore, where we had our base for few nights, for Jasper (our next stop), we found ourselves going through the heart of Banff National Park. I still didn’t know at that time BNP was going to be our secret memory factory.

CA, Alberta: Athabasca River – Athabasca Falls – Athabasca Glacier – Glacier Skywalk

Name of Athabasca has originated from the Cree word where there are reeds, and most of the Athabasca names are to be found in Alberta.

The Athabasca River, with its 1,538 km, is the longest river in Alberta, and starts from an unnamed lake north of Mt Columbia, on the west side of Mt Athabasca and Athabasca Glacier, flowing to the north, and ending into the Arctic Ocean. The first 168 km, located in JNP are designated as a Canadian Heritage River, for its importance to the fur trade and the construction of railways and roads.