Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls is located at the Fork of the Credit River Provincial Park. Within the park various activities such as hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and birding are common.



Photo Credit: bobcatnorth CC=nc-sa-flickr.

My Town Monday - Ontario Place

Ontario Place is having it’s 40th anniversary, and to help visitors to attend they have opened their doors for free access to their grounds during the time Toronto holds its Exhibition (the “Ex”). Ontario Place is owned and run by the provincial government. There are additional charges for the many different kinds of rides and attractions. But, for the family or person looking for FREE attractions there are many, geared for young and old alike. It is open from May until October. Ontario Place consists of three man-made islands built atop a reef the Port Authority deemed dangerous to boating concerns. Landfill was reused to build up the reefs thus creating a waterfront park. Ontario Place is located south of the Exhibition Grounds and Lakeshore Boulevard next to Lake Ontario.


[1 - Inuksuk on Lakeshore Boulevard]

I went yesterday afternoon with some friends and was only able to take in a very small part of this lakeside attraction. For those visiting or living in Toronto, take the FREE SHUTTLE (blue bus) from Union Station to avoid parking and traffic dilemmas. It beats taking the TTC and transferring or an extra several blocks walk. Rather than pay to go through the EX (another annual attraction) we walked around the Princess Gate along the bicycle path to the Centre Entrance which prompted us to take the Free Shuttle on the way back. A word of advice about the bicycle path – watch out for cyclists! Enroute on the cyclist path is a tall Inuksuk to show you're on the correct track.

If you come on a free admission be sure to get a Summer Day Pass for $20or individual attraction tickets. There are so many things to see and do that this place requires multiple return trips.

After a noisy cheering from the crowd watching the lumberjacks from western Canada perform their chainsaw techniques on timber sections, a quieter venue was sought out from the intesne heat of the sun. The Earth Rangers put on a documentary and live visual of wild animals that are losing their habitats. It is an organization that assists wildlife live safely in their natural habitats around the world. A worthy cause for children of all ages to be interested in.

There were a number of demonstrations telling a bit about each of the birds and animals of their natural abilities:

Lemur are quite the cuties from Madagascar with great jumping ability. The Lemur used in the show was very engaging as it pulled on it's leash to bring the trianer closer rather doing his leaps from post to post.


[2]
Lemurs have very long tails to help balance them when they leap. Their front toes are used much like we use our fingers.




harrier hawk,























[3] Northern Harrier Hawk (hen)

barn owl: surprised me a little when I saw it fly to retrieve a treat from a tall post at the back of the viewing area. I suspect Harry Potter fans were delighted.























[4] This is Echo, the same owl I saw do his demonstration.



bald eagle, an amazing bird who kept surveying the crowd and above for anything that might catch his eye. This eagle was more prey oriented than the harrier hawk presented first.

















[5] Earth Ranger demonstration with bald eagle


[6] - Bald Eagle head study









pine marten,























[7] Pine martens have very sharp claws to help them run along tree branches and rock ledges after their prey.

Servals are 21 to 26 inches tall weighing 15 to 20 pounds in females and 20 to 40 pounds in males. A nice sized cat. This was a very neat cat with powerful hind legs tat were longer than the front ones.























[8]




[9] Serval in savannah in Tanzania


During the demonstrations each of the animals and birds were provided with piecs and chunks of raw meat by their trainers. I'm not usually fond of seeing such demonstrations but each of these animals had been raised in captivity and had not been wild caught. Also, children have a rare treat of seeing a live specimen close up working with humans. At the rate habitat for these animals is disappearing it's defintely time to start educating people about how to save them, and in doing so, probably save humans, too, in the long run.


[10] Marina view from walkway near Marina Grille.

When passing by the marina I was sorry not to have brought a camera as there were several very impressive small yachts moored to the pier.

The weather was exceptional with hot sun for awhile followed up with a torrential downpour from a thunderstorm that moved in just after we went to the Marina Grill for a late lunch. Rather than stay longer we decided to leave.

As there are many more sites to be seen I will be back at later dates, at which time I will provide updates.

Go to My Town Monday for other participants. Clare Dickson has taken over My Town Monday from Travis Erwin who started it.

Reserach: wikipedia - Ontario Place

Photo Credits: [1]-DarkElfPhoto CC=nc-sa-flickr,[2][3][5][6][7][9]-Wikipedia,[4][5][8] earthrangers CC=nc-flickr,[10]-wyliepoon CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Bench of the Week (34)

This bench is located at the Lake Side Park in Oakville, Ontario. I imagine it's a popular spot in the summer.

RuneE of Visual Norway started an informal meme on benches. Please visit his blog to learn of other participants.

Photo Credit: Gemma Grace CC=nc-nd-flickr. Click to enlarge.

This lake is in Algonquin Park in north-central Ontario.


Photo Credit: Two Big Paws CC=nc-nd-flickr. Click to enlarge.

Webster's Falls

Webster’s Falls are located at the Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area near Hamilton, Ontario, and one of many falls on the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Trail descends by staircase into the gorge where the base can be easily reached. The Bruce Trail continues downstream, and for the next half mile Spencer Creek is one cascade after another.

Photo Credit: andreakw CC=nc-nd-flickr. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Eugenia Falls

[1-click to enlarge both photos]







The falls, at 30 meters high, are located in the Eugenia Falls Conservation Area of 23 hectares along the Niagara Escarpment. They were discovered in 1852 as a result of a ‘Fools Gold’ rush.

The name for the falls had been suggested by ex-soldiers of the French Army (Crimean War) after Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

For more information about the falls and the gorge go here.


[2]

















Source: Grey Sauble Conservation Authority

Photo Credits: [1][2]-Calypso Orchid CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Baron Canyon

With the days becoming sun filled and warmer I think about the summer days of going on hikes over the surrounding trails. On any walk I prefer locations which have water: a lake, a stream, creek or river, preferably a waterfall. The sound of rushing water is soothing to urban tortured souls.

Baron Canyon is in Algonquin Provincial Park which I have posted about before here.

Photo Credit: eyeline-imagery CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Fishing Tuesday - Rushing River Provincial Park

[1]


Rushing River Provincial Park is 340 hectares in size, near Kenora, Ontario.

The forest is dominated by jack pines of a uniform height, due to a forest fire in 1910 which opened all the pinecones at once. Balsam, spruce, aspen, alder, and maple have intermingled with the pines. This dense forest canopy shades a community of other plant life, including many edibles such as blueberries, cherries, hazelnuts, raspberries, and strawberries.

[2]

Rushing River cascades over rock gouged by glaciers in a series of rapids but elsewhere is passable by canoe. Canoe routes ranging in lengths from 32 to 103 km are easily accessible from the park.

[3]




During early spring and late fall is when the visitor is most likely to see black bears, moose and deer and the smaller red foxes, weasels, mink and otters. Sixty species of birds also live here, including great blue herons, loons, night hawks, belted kingfishers, Canada jays and various waterfowl.

For the fishing enthusiast there are walleye, pike, smallmouth bass and lake trout.

For hikers:

[4]

Beaver Pond Trail 1.5 km loop (45 minutes) easy
Follow this trail to a quiet beaver pond full of fragrant water lilies. Listen for songbirds in the forest and watch for mallard ducks. If you look carefully, you might see orchids or other unusual plants.

[5- Dogtooth Lake]


Granite Knoll Trail 5 km (1.5 hours) moderate
This trail meanders along the shoreline of Dogtooth Lake and then swings back through open jack pine forest and over gnarly granite hummocks.


[6- Morning on Dogtooth Lake]





Lower Rapids Trail 2 km (1 hour) easy
This trail follows what may be a native portage around the rapids and waterfalls on Rushing River.

[7-Sunset over Andy Lake]


Rushing River has 217 campsites, 75 of which have electrical service. Washroom and shower facilities are conveniently located in the campgrounds and there is a park store for supplies.





Sources:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/rush.html
http://www.ontariocampgrounds.net/regional.cfm/code/229/tbid/7

Photo Credits: [1][2][3][4][7]-Jezz CC=nd-flickr, [5][6]-Marg S CC=flickr.

Tuesdays For Travis - Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario

[1-Playter Harbour on Lake Superior]






[2-Bay on Lake Superior]






[3-Lake Superior shoreline]






This park encompasses 1,878 square miles along the eastern shoreline of Lake Superior.

There are many spellings to the word “Pukaskwa” which provide different meanings: cleaning of fish, eaters of fish, something evil or safe harbour.

Of primary concern in Pukaskwa National Park is the survival of the small herd of woodland caribou resident there. Rare arctic plants grow here due to Lake Superior’s Arctic influence, as do coastal heron rookeries, forest mammals, birds, and inland water quality.




[4-This rabbit walked up to the photographer on the beach without any concern]






Ontario Fishing Regulations apply in the Park. The use of lead sinkers and weighted lures are prohibited in national parks and national wildlife areas in Canada.

Pukaskwa is a remote area with no refueling opportunities.

Cyclists can travel on Highway 627 and campground roads. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the trails in Pukaskwa National Park.


[5-Moose]





Parks Canada provides the following information about backpacking into the wilderness of the Park:

“Pukaskwa National Park protects a nationally significant area of Lake Superior shoreline and boreal forest. With no road access, the Lake Superior shoreline between Hattie Cove to Michipicoten is the least developed shoreline anywhere on the Great Lakes. As interest in exploring this coastline continues to increase, we ask that you take steps to minimize your impacts on the ecosystem as you travel through the park. Wild spaces can survive as long as we strive to be stewards, not consumers, of wilderness areas.”




[6-White River crossing on a wire and slat bridge on one of the many trails in the Park]







On the link below are guidelines to follow when visiting the Park.


[7-Sunset over Lake Superior]






Source: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pukaskwa/natcul/natcul1c_e.asp

Photo Credits: [1][5][6]-Geoffrey Rockwell CC=nc-nd-flickr, [2]-Troy B Thompson CC=nc-nd-flickr, [3][4][7]-begemot CC=nc-nd-flickr,

Tuesdays For Travis - Pinery Provincial Park

[1-Ausable Channel] The Old Ausable Channel is a wide, slow-moving river which flows through the park. It was separated from the main Ausable River when two channels were excavated at Port Franks and Grand Bend at the end of the 19th century. This river was called Riviere aux Sables or "sandy river" by the French which through time became the Aux Sables River in English. The name was condensed to Ausable in the early 20th century.

Pinery Provincial Park is on Lake Huron north-east of Sarnia, where there is camping in three campgrounds with 1,000 sites, some including electrical campsites, hot showers, washroom facilities and other amenities. The park consists of 2,532 hectares.

[2-Ruby Crowned-Kinglet] This bird is rarely seen in summer as it nests high in the trees, constructing its nest of tightly woven out of grasses, bark and feathers suspended from a branch. For a small bird (4 1/4 inches) it lays a large clutch of 5 to 12 creamy white eggs with brown and gray speckles. These are incubated for 2 weeks and the young leave the next two weeks later. This bird feeds mainly on insects but will eat fruit. Its habitat is coniferous, mixed woodland and thickets.

[3-Sandhill Crane] This long-legged bird is 34 to 42 inches tall with a wingspan of 73 to 90 inches). It is capable of skipping and hopping, leaping as high as 20 feet into the air. These birds are usually seen in flocks of 20 to 100 individuals and feed on insects, small animals, and spilled grain. They breed on the Arctic tundra and also in isolated marshes further south where a large pile of vegetation is used to make a nest for two eggs. After both parents have incubated these for about a month the young quickly leave the nest. They are capable of flight at 10 months but stay with the parents until the following spring. They spend the winter in the south and the summer in the north.


[4-White Crowned Sparrow] These birds are 7 inches long. They are found in the tundra, alpine meadows, and boreal forests, woodland edges, scrubland and thickets. The males learn their songs within the first few months of life from their environment, and because they tend not to move from their territories, song dialects emerge. They are influenced by daylight hours, and birds in the extreme north will often sing through out the night. It weaves a grass nest high in a tree and lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs with red-brown spots. The female incubates these for 12 to 17 days and the young are fledged 10 to 12 days later. They move in mixed flocks, usually with White-throated Sparrows. Thid bird's diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, and insects for which they forage on the ground.

There are 319 species of birds and 32 species of mammals including the red squirrel, chipmunk, raccoon, beaver, flying squirrel, and white-tailed deer seen most often on the bicycle path.

[5]

For fishing enthusiasts there are perch, salmon, rainbow trout, bass, panfish, and pike available in the Ausable River channel and in Lake Huron.

[6-Painted turtles on a log]



Several hiking trails go through mature oak and pine forest along the Ausable River, and other locations throughout the park.

[7]



On the shore of Lake Huron, vast waves of sand dunes roll back to meet stands of towering oaks, the largest oak savanna woodlands remaining in North America. There are boardwalks, bicycle trails and sand beaches to be enjoyed summer and winter.

[8]







Research: Pineryparks.on.ca, ontarioparks.ca, wikipedia, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Michael Vanner.
Photo Credits:[1]-ndh CC=nc-flickr, [2][3][4][6][7]-geomaticsman CC=sa-flickr,[5]-bertdb CC=nc-nd-flickr, [8]-gt_hawk63 CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Tuesdays For Travis - Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls is on the Kaministiquia River, located beside the village of Kakabeka Falls, 30 km (19 mi) west of the city of Thunder Bay.

The falls have a drop of 40 m (131 ft), cascading into a gorge carved out of the Precambrian Shield by meltwater following the last glacial maximum. It is the second highest waterfall in Ontario after Niagara Falls, and has been consequently nicknamed "the Niagara of the North".

The rock face of the falls and the escarpments along the gorge are composed primarily of unstable shale, and are eroding. These rocks host sensitive flora, and contain some of the oldest fossils in existence, some 1.6 billion years of age. Due to the fragile rock, going into the gorge below the falls is prohibited.

The name "Kakabeka" comes from the Ojibwe word gakaabikaa "waterfall over a cliff". For viewing the falls there are boardwalks and viewing pods that offer safe views of the falls and gorge.



The Legend of Green Mantle is about an Ojibwe chief who upon hearing news of an imminent attack from the Sioux tribe instructs his daughter, Princess Green Mantle, to devise a plan to protect her people. She entered the Sioux camp along the Kaministiquia River and, pretending to be lost, she bargained with them to spare her life if she would bring them to her father's camp. Placed at the head of the canoe, she instead led herself and the Sioux warriors over the falls to their deaths, sparing her tribe from the attack. The legend claims that one can see Green Mantle when looking into the mist of Kakabeka Falls, a monument to the princess that gave her life to save her people. Other versions of the legend say she came across the Sioux herself, and later jumped out of the canoe ahead of the falls and swam to shore, leaving the Sioux to go over the falls, then ran back to the camp to warn her people.

For fishing enthusiasts there are pike and walleye.

For wildlife viewing there are moose, deer and bear, smaller animals such as fox, squirrels and chipmunks, and feathered friends -- grouse and song birds - at this park. In the fall watch for bald eagles over the gorge.

A trail suitable for cycling is the Poplar Point Trail.


[1-The Red River Expedition below Kakabeka Falls by Frances Anne Hopkins circa 1877]

Frances Anne Hopkins, (2 February 1838 – 5 March 1919), daughter of Frederick William Beechey was born in England and had a talent for painting. In 1858 she married a Hudson's Bay Company official Edward Hopkins whose work took him to North America. She accompanied him and travelled extensively by canoe along some of the most important fur trading routes. While travelling, she sketched extensively and thereby recorded an interesting aspect of Canadian history.

Her best-known works are several large paintings made from her sketches. They show voyageurs and their canoes with her husband and herself in with the paddlers.

Hopkins returned to England in 1870 where she lived until her death. Many of her paintings are part of the collection of the National Library and Archives of Canada. In 1988 a stamp was issued featuring one of her paintings and an inset sepia photograph of the artist.



Research: OntarioParks, wikipedia
Photo Credits: wikipedia

Tuesdays For Travis - Algonquin Provincial Park

[1]

Algonquin is composed of 765,345 hectares in its vast interior of maple hills, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes. The only way to explore the interior of this park is by canoe or on foot.


[2-View from Hardwood Lookout]

There is also a second Algonquin – along the 56-kilometre stretch of Highway 60. Here you can enjoy camping at one of eight campgrounds, hike on any of the 14 trails, or fish at one of the best trout fishing areas in Canada. More than 230 lakes have native Brook Trout and 149 have Lake Trout, which continue to provide good fishing due to the Park’s method of conservation.

Along the highway, many of the lakes are stocked with Splake (a hybrid of Brook and Lake trout) and fishing is outstanding. Spring is the best season for trout and summer brings on more enjoyment with Smallmouth Bass.



[3-Moose - click to enlarge]


There is a variety of wildlife, including good opportunities for seeing moose. Moose viewing is best in spring, early summer and during the mating season in late September.


[4-wolf]

White-tailed deer and bear also inhabit the Park. Algonquin is famous for its wolves which are heard but not often seen. Park staff conduct wolf howling expeditions held every August.


[5-fox-vixen]

Some of the foxes in the park have a high tolerance of humans in the park, where some have received handouts and approach.

More than 260 bird species have been recorded in the Park. Many southern and overseas birders make special trips to Algonquin just to see northern specialties such as the Gray Jay and the Spruce Grouse, not to mention the rich variety of warblers or Algonquin's most famous bird of all -- the Common Loon, found nesting on just about every lake.



Research: OntarioParks.ca

Photo Credits: [1]–totten photos CC=nc-nd-flickr, [2]-vtveen CC=nc-nd-flickr, [3]-bmann CC=nc-flickr, [4]-mikec_905 CC=nc-nd-flickr, [5]-zaniac CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Awenda Provincial Park

[1]

Awenda Provincial Park is in western Ontario located on the northern tip of the Penetanguishene Peninsula on the coast of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron, about a two hours drive north of Toronto. The park occupies an area of 2,915 hectares. It is classified as a Natural Environment Park and therefore all land is protected.


[2- Giant's Tomb Island]

Giants Tomb Island has recently been added as part of the park. Recreational activities include swimming, canoeing and hiking. Geological features include the Nipissing Bluff, dropping 60 metres into Georgian Bay, and kettle lakes formed during the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the most recent ice age. The shoreline consists of a series of beaches with sand, cobble and rocks.

Bass, northern pike, pickerel and smaller panfish are commonly found in the waters between Awenda and Giant's Tomb Island.


[3]

[4]

Much of this area was logged around the beginning of the 20th century, so most of the forests here are second growth. However, the park supports a rich variety of plant and animal life, including white-tailed deer, porcupine, raccoon and squirrels. The park is home to 32 species of amphibians and reptiles. Nearly 200 different species of birds have been observed in the park.

[5- Trillium, Ontario's official flower]


In various campgrounds there are electrical hookups, flush toilets, showers, park store, and laundry facilities.




[6]




[7]


For boating enthusiasts the size of Georgian Bay provides plenty of room to explore. However, due to its size and exposed area, Georgian Bay winds can be unpredictable and quick to rise, so the use of appropriate caution is necessary.

[8- White Pine]

Huron legend tells of a God called Kitchikewana, who was large enough to guard the whole of the Georgian Bay. Kitchikewana was known for his great temper and one day, in a fit of rage over a woman who loved another, he dug a giant hand into the ground and flung the dirt he pulled up into the Great Lakes. Thus the 30 000 Islands were created. The indentations left behind by his fingers form the five bays of Georgian Bay: Midland Bay, Penetang Bay, Hog Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and Matchedash Bay.

Research: Ontario Parks, Wikipedia
Photo Credits: [1]-alexvbisme, [2]John Lindsay, [3]-F48R1C10, [4][5]-dezso, [6]-M Barberet. [7]-Richard Cleaver, [8]-pdinnen.