A little more of the north

As mentioned in my previous post, I spent a few days in North Bay recently. It was hardly an opportunity for much exploring out of doors, but the relatively unaltered landscape is all around so I was able to take in the views from afar. I did get out to enjoy one of my favourite locations in the North Bay area.....Duchesnay Falls. It is just off of the Trans Canada corridor at the west edge of the city, and only a short walk from a small parking lot.

This first photo is just a few hundred metres from the parking lot, as one approaches the lower falls.

There was a lot of water flowing this day, due to the spring melt as well as recent precipitation. This next photo is a close-up of the lower falls.

While I was standing at the base of these lower falls, I noticed a medium-sized Snapping Turtle on the rocks nearby. This female had apparently recently emerged from the water, no doubt looking for a place to lay her clutch of eggs. A few moments after I took this photo, she proceeded to crawl through the froth and along the rocks. She had a lot of rocks to climb over before she would get to a place where she could dig, and most places in this immediate vicinity were quite shady, so I don't know how her eggs would develop or even survive. Perhaps their only contribution to the ecology of this area would be as a meal for a local raccoon.

A snapper this size in the north is likely quite a bit older than a similarly sized one in southern Ontario. The season is shorter, with cooler air and water temperatures on average, making the growth and development of such cold-blooded creatures slower in the north. Snappers can live 60 years or more.

I proceeded to climb over the rocks as well, and perhaps had greater success getting to my destination than the snapper. This next photo shows the upper falls view, where the torrents of water come raging through the narrow gorge. Normally I like slow shutter speeds to give a soft appearance to waterfalls, but due to the raging water, it spoke very loudly for me to capture its power and fury using a faster shutter speed.

During times of little waterflow, these main falls are the ones carrying the flow. However during times of peak runoff, there is an additional flow route which is less visible, but impressive due to its gentle setting. While the noisy torrents were passing by a short distance away, I felt I was in another small world with this quiet and sheltered place presenting a calmness, whereupon I promptly reverted to my choice of a slow shutter speed to capture the gentleness I felt here.

On the way to and from North Bay, we usually have a few chosen stops along the way. Sometimes it is to another accessible waterfall, but almost always it includes a short detour off the main highway to a natural spring. Natural spring water is so much tastier, and healthier than what we get from the municipal water treatment sources, so we relish such natural water sources. They contain more healthy minerals that we all need, and fewer chemicals and pharmaceuticals that invariably are not removed by the regular water treatment facilities which focus primarily on removing organic material while adding such chemicals as chlorine and fluoride.

One of these springs is near the small village of Novar, a few kilometres north of Huntsville. On this side trip, I noticed a medium sized Black Bear taking shelter from the heavy rainfall in a copse of poplar trees. I didn't get, or even try for a photo. But I did take a few shots of an attractive lookout along this secondary road.

As was typical during the entire time we were away, the skies were mostly cloudy even when it wasn't raining, which gave nice saturation to the photos, but unattractive skies.

The gravelly roadsides host a few wildflowers which are colourful and attractive, but very few of the ones visible at this time of year are native.

King Devil

Orange Hawkweed a.k.a Devil's Paintbrush

Orange Hawkweed

Not a Nature Nugget, but.....

I've been away again, to North Bay. My daughter was married in Japan a few weeks ago, and a reception was held at North Bay on Friday the 13th. (That date was specifically chosen by the engaged couple many months ago.) With planning, travelling to and attending this event, I've been unable to post anything new for several days.

As we returned home afterwards, my thoughts reverted to memories of the landscape along our travel route. From North Bay south to a little south of Huntsville, the landscape is impressive, appearing almost pristine-like with the mosaic of coniferous forest, deciduous forests, rocks, hills, small lakes and wetlands. South of that, it becomes more settled, and thus altered, rather quickly. Approaching Toronto and then heading west on Hwy 401 for me is something to be endured, not necessarily enjoyed. Overall the memories are not terribly inspiring, really, but one in particular stands out. It relates to the recent 70th anniversary of D-Day.

What could possibly make such a connection along this heavily travelled corridor? This photo.

No, I hadn't made a trip to France and spotted a dilapidated, burned out tank left over from WW II. This was in southwestern Ontario.

A few years ago I was heading east along Hwy 401 at about dawn, in a foggy morning. All of a sudden out of the mist, I saw this image appear and it was almost surreal. I didn't have my camera with me (I know....I broke a cardinal rule for photographers......never leave home without it....:-). But I was on the wrong side of the highway anyway, not to mention being a bit late for the meeting I was going to. However I knew I was going to go by this again in the following couple of days, so intentionally prepared to capture this image, although it wasn't foggy this next time.

If you have travelled the Hwy 401 corridor between Chatham and London, you have gone by this site. It occurs about one kilometre west of the West Lorne interchange along the north side. I'm not sure how long it had been like this before I first noticed it in 2009. It is only a pile of logs, with one particular one positioned to appear like a turret gun. Processing it when I got home in B&W added to the historic effect, I thought.

By 2012, this pile of logs had collapsed, and by 2013, it was completely gone and the area where it was situated is now part of the cropland. But every time I go by, even now, I automatically look at this spot as a reminder of a creative photo op and even more importantly, the historic event which occurred as the Allies acquired a major foothold in France en route to defeating the invading Nazi army.

Shooting cormorants....

I was out kayaking on Saturday to explore the southern end of the Rondeau Bay/Marsh. There are a couple of small sandy islands where gulls, terns, shorebirds and cormorants make lots of use of. The water is higher this year, so the size of the islands are considerably smaller than they were the last couple of years.

But along the way I noticed some logs resting at the edge of the marsh.....they were covered with some big mothers.......turtles that is:-). Some logs had at least 15 turtles on them, where others had a smaller number. Altogether I must have seen at least 40 turtles, and they were all Northern Map Turtles, a species of Special Concern. Of the eight species of turtle that occur in Ontario, seven of them are at some level of risk.

Since turtles are cold-blooded, it is especially important for the females to bask and soak up the sunlight energy, to warm themselves and maintain their physiological activity so the eggs inside can be laid early enough in the season, so that the developing embryos will be able to hatch early enough in the season (typically late August/early September) so they can prepare for the dormant season. Whew! Timing is everything.

Where basking spots are not too plentiful, they will sometimes overlap one another.

They are fairly tolerant, especially when one drifts up quietly in a kayak with very little movement, But at some point, they will topple into the water, and stick their noses and eyes up and as soon as the way is clear again, they will climb back on the log.

While I was glad to see so many turtles, my real intent was to see what was making use of the islands at the south end. There weren't too many surprises.

A few shorebirds were present, including Dunlin (4), Semipalmated Sandpiper (~15) and Baird's Sandpiper (~6). I thought there might have been some White-rumped Sandpipers, but even though they flew around from time to time giving great views of the rumps, there were no White-rumps.

Dunlin and Semiplamated Sandpiper

Resting Dunlin

Dunlin peering up in the sky, checking a flying bird

Semiplamated Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper

Double-crested Cormorants are an increasing species wherever you go. It is hard to believe that as recently as 1970, it was a species being considered for inclusion on the Endangered Species list!

Over the last couple of years, with the sandy islands being somewhat larger than they are today, there were ~55-60 nests of cormorants present, jammed in quite close to one another. It was hard to get an accurate count this day, but I estimated there were at least 45-50 nests. Some were still at the egg stage, with others with recently hatched young, and still others had half-grown young.

Fortunately for me, the best angle for shooting these birds was on the upwind side of the colony. When for a brief time I was downwind, the stench of excrement and dead fish was considerable.

Perhaps what was a bit of a surprise, is that a short distance to the north, is a larger island that is mostly covered with various types of vegetation, including some young trees. Over the last few months, this area was treated for Phragmites, that scourge of wetlands. And for the first time, it was evident that the cormorants were making use of these trees. I counted at least 20 nests in those trees, so altogether, the cormorant colony has grown, unfortunately.

I was on the lookout for Neotropic Cormorant all the time I was out there, but given the 2-3000 birds present, most of which were reluctant to let me get very close, I was not able to find one.

Herring Gulls and Caspian Terns were loafing on the island with fewer cormorants.

Although the Caspian Terns were in full breeding plumage, I didn't see any evidence of them nesting. Herring Gulls, however, were nesting on one of the more vegetated islands.

But most surprising was to see a pair of Herring Gulls nesting in a tree! I don't recall having ever seen this species nesting in a tree before, but a check of the literature indicates that on rare occasion, they will nest in a tree. The evidence was now before me.

Nearby, was a 21st century gull, making use of a solar panel, sort of....I'm not sure what the solar panel was powering...perhaps a light to mark a boat hazard just off shore, but regardless, this particular gull found a use for the pole.

Tulips....on trees.....

....and other notable Carolinian tree species in southern Ontario.

The Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the unofficial flagship tree species of the Carolinian Life Zone (CLZ) of southern Ontario. The CLZ extends more or less south of a line from about Grand Bend to Toronto, give or take a bit.

And this is the time of year for Tuliptrees to be in flower. The one in my back yard had its first flowers open up on June 3. In some years, they will open even in the last week of May. At Rondeau, with its proximity to the cooling effects of Lake Erie, the average flowering period begins on June 8. In my recent visits to Rondeau, I suspect that it may be a week before the first flowers appear.

From the photo below, it should be clear how this magnificent tree got its name.

This is actually one I took in 2013. The flowers at the lowest and most accessible part of the tree are not yet in full flower.

The Tuliptree grows tall....really tall, and quite straight. It is one of Ontario's tallest trees, growing on occasion to 33 metres or more. However in the heart of its range, Appalachian country, it regularly grows to 50 metres, and on occasion to 60. I recall reading about one specimen in the Smokies that was 67 metres (220')!

The next photo is of what is locally known as the Three Sisters, three Tuliptrees along the.....are you ready for it....the Tuliptree Trail!

This photo which includes my wife will give a sense of scale.

And the view from the bottom.

Tuliptrees need a fair bit of sun....they are not a shade tolerant species. Being as fast growing as they are, they make use of an opening in the canopy to outgrow slower species. As you can see, most of the foliage is at the top where the most light is. Of course the flowers are there as well, which is why you seldom see them. Sometimes the first clue that a tree is in flower is when you see one lying on the ground. Squirrels climb the trees and nip off the flower buds, but some of the flowers tumble to the ground.

They produce a huge amount of seed. But in most years the viability of the seed is extremely low. Germination rates of barely 1% are not uncommon.

There are a few other notable Carolinian tree species in flower now that I will mention.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is often seen on urban and rural properties. In the spring, it is one of the most impressive flowering trees, and it is native to Canada. Not very many people realize that it is native. However it has that status due to a specimen that noted botanist John Macoun collected on Pelee Island in 1892.

If you are driving through most states not too far south of the Ontario border in late April, you will see this species along roadsides, especially adjacent to woodlands. The next photo is one I took several years ago in Shenandoah National Park at the north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The pink/magenta clusters of flowers are truly impressive. I took these about a week ago.

Another rare Carolinian tree is Pawpaw (Asimina triloba). As recently as the 1960s, Chatham-Kent was noted as the stronghold for this species in Canada. It occurred in other CLZ counties, but not as abundantly as in C-K. The extent of upland woodland habitat and the rich soils were perfect for it. Given the loss of woodlands in C-K especially in the last couple of years, I am not sure how many of those populations survive, but that is another story.

The chocolate-maroon flowers are very distinctive, and are open right now, just as the leaves are starting to develop. It isn't a species that occurs at Rondeau. The closest population to the park is along Sinclair Line, especially along the roadside adjacent to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority property at Sinclair's Bush.

Closely related to Tuliptrees is another member of the Magnolia family.....the Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata). It is an endangered species, and grows primarily on the sandy soils of Norfolk County with a much smaller population in the Niagara Region.

There are other Carolinian tree species which may be the subject of another post at a time when they are flowering, so stay tuned!

A Northern Diversion

A few days ago Marie and I went to North Bay, to visit our daughter and her new hubby. We hadn't been to North Bay since last October.

There is no question that the biodiversity of southern Ontario is fantastic, in spite of the relative lack of natural area, but the landscape of north-central Ontario is even more fabulous for different reasons. Rocks, hills, trees, lakes....what a treat to have about 95% of the landscape as natural compared to the 5% in Chatham-Kent!

Once we get north of Orillia, I seem to connect with the expanse of natural area. And one of the first stops I like to make is Brooks Falls, about half an hour north of Huntsville and just a bit east of Hwy 11. Spring, summer, fall and even winter....there is always something magical and inviting about this spot.

May 2014

One can drive to a small municipal park and hear the cascade as soon as you stop the car. Only a few metres away is the Magnetawan River, which tumbles several metres over the rocks. Normally when I photograph this place, I use a very slow shutter speed to capture the smoothness of the water, but I hadn't seen this much water flowing before, so I decided to stop some of the action with a faster shutter speed. The next photo shows what it looked like almost exactly two years ago and taken with a slow shutter speed.....much less water and more rocks showing. By autumn, there is even less water and more rocks.

May 2012

One of the highlights of the immediate North Bay area is the Laurier Woods Conservation Area, a parcel of land totalling about 97 hectares (240 acres) right within the city limits, made up of rocks, hills, trees, wetlands and small lakes. What a concept! And a real treat, with several kilometres of well-designed trails to explore, and a trail guide to follow along with.

Kudos to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority and The Friends of Laurier Woods for establishing and maintaining this delightful place!

The forest isn't full of large trees.....undoubtedly much of the wooded area was cut at some point in the past and what is present now seems to be mostly second growth.

Being in the city, there is industry around the edges of this natural area, and some of it shows up in the upper right hand corner of the photo above. Adjacent to one of the other wetland areas is an auto recycling plant, so there is lots of noise and poor views to contend with.......I won't show it here. I suspect it is less distracting in the evening hours or on weekends.

The photo below shows a rock outcrop with a trail in the foreground and marshy habitat before getting to another upland area and rocks.

This is beaver country, and most of the small lakes and ponds are the result of the engineering skills of those large rodents. The next photo shows a small dam on the right, holding back the water to create the pond.

Painted Turtles are commonplace, and apparently Snapping and Blanding's Turtles also occur, but I didn't see them on this trip.

Being the latter half of May, bird migration was well underway. It isn't a hotspot like Rondeau is, but there was a fair diversity of birds. I noted Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird of the warbler family, as well as Gray-cheeked Thrush, Veery, Brown Thrasher, Savannah Sparrow and that flagship vocalist of the north...the White-throated Sparrow.

White-throated Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

It seemed odd to see this Savannah Sparrow foraging on the shaded rocky outcrops.....a far different habitat compared to where they are found nesting in southern Ontario or in the Hudson Bay Lowlands!

American Redstart

Common Mergansers

The Common Mergansers were hanging out on this beaver made lake near the beginning of the trail.

Being that it was the Victoria Day weekend, the night skies around North Bay were bright with the display of fireworks. I don't normally spend much time photographing fireworks, but I took the opportunity on this trip as our son-in-law Alex had procured quite a selection and was happily setting them off at Sunset Park on the shores of Lake Nipissing. I will close this post with a handful of my more successful photos.