Sarnia Stuff and Another Solar Snowy

I headed into Sarnia today to see what was around.  There was not much on the river until I got to Corunna where the Long-tailed Duck situation started getting crazy.  Once again, there were probably 1500 at the head of Stag Island and lots more scattered downriver and upriver from there.

Some Hooded Mergs were at the Shell dock as usual.

At one point I saw a fox along the shoreline of Stag Island!

Sarnia Bay and area was choked with Canada Geese.  There actually were not very many ducks.  There were geese in the air all over the place and all over Sarnia in fact.  A small white goose stood out over at the marina.  I could not get close, but I got out the scope and determined it was a Ross's.  Too far for even a half decent photo.

I then headed up to the lakewatch spot on Lake Huron.  Good grief, I never saw so many Long-tailed Ducks.  Impossible to count but likely upwards of 3000 in view!  Hardly another species of duck in sight except a few Red-breasted mergs.

Very few gulls, but this nice gull made some close passes for photo ops.

After some unsuccessful shopping (lol), I went out Michigan Line and found a Snowy Owl just before Telfer Road.

Heading south on Blackwell Sideroad, another was at the solar farm.  Apparently two were there yesterday, but I only saw one.






Beside the old landfill, a couple of dark morph Roughies were playing around.

While in the mood for owls, I checked out Perch Creek and found the wintering Saw-whet.  It looked a little worse for the wear, but seems to be surviving. Could not get a good shot without disturbing it though.

Next stop was Moore WMA.  Finally some birds were there!  Right along the road too.  Several woodpeckers including 3 flickers, a Red-bellied and Downy and Hairy. Chickadees, nuthatches and a Carolina Wren were making their presence known.  I also got a Yellow-rumped Warbler nibbling on poison ivy berries.  We get the warblers here every winter, although last winter was the first time I had no success.  None of today's birds came really close though.

On the way home, I checked a field that usually attracts Snowy Owls.  I have had them in that field in several previous years, and sure enough one was there.  Not sure if this was a new one, or perhaps the one seen at Pretty Road and Tulloch Line late yesterday.  Two parties saw that one yesterday.  That is only about four kilometres away.  As with the other two today, this one was far away.

Will see how many Snowy Owls I come with tomorrow...

Thinking of Summer

Thunder Bay Bog Trail and Lookout

Mackinac Bridge

Cabin fever is setting in.... I cannot wait for spring and summer! Recently I got a slide scanner so I was going through some of the pre-digital-day slides that I have. One memorable trip was a camping trip that I took in June 1999 to the north shore of Lake Superior and back Manitoulin Island. (Quality of the scanned slides is not very good--they look almost like watercolours)
Of course the trip meant heading up through Michigan and crossing at Sault Ste. Marie. The above photo is on the Mackinac Bridge.
I first camped in Lake Superior P. P. at Agawa Bay, and walked some trails.

Pictographs

I always wanted to see the famous pictographs at Agawa Rock, so that was one of the first stops.

Along this trail is a unique scene in a crevace. A boulder is wedged in there which I thought was neat.
While heading back to the car, I heard several species of warblers and other birds making a ruckous. I knew it was an owl....turned out to be a Saw-whet. I didn't get a photo as it was too dark. The list of species included Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Black-and White, Yellow-rumped, Pine, Blackburnian, American Restart, Parula Warblers, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Junco and American Robin. Quite an assortment of birds harrassing this owl!

Sand River

The first day was quite foggy and damp, so visibility was poor. The next day was bright and sunny, but later on I met the dense fog for a while.

Agawa Bay

I headed directly to Sleeping Giant P. P. and arrived there in the afternoon. I walked a long trail (13 km round trip) to Sawyer Bay. Birds included White-winged Crossbills. Along this was a Ruffed Grouse taking a dirt bath. Grouse seem to like doing this as I have seen it happen several times. I have seen Spruce Grouse at Algonquin as well.

Ruffed Grouse along the Trail

Late in the day, I headed down to Silver Islet for supper.
At my campsite, a Ruffed Grouse walked through, and a Red Fox came very close.

The Sleeping Giant

During the night, it turned very windy and cold. I was going to stay another night, but decided to head out after walking a couple more trails in the morning. the last highlight in the park was Thunder Bay Lookout (see first photo at top). There is a spectacular lookout onto Thunder Bay. I had another flock of White-winged Crossbills fly over here.

Pink Moccasin Flowers

I saw Ouimet Canyon P. P. marked on the map, so I was curious to check it out. A good choice! Views were spectacular of a deep canyon. I highly recommend this spot.

Some Arctic type plants grow in the valley since they get little sunlight and warmth.

Scene at Ouimet Canyon

I saw several species of birds and heard a Gray Jay here.

After here, I visited Rainbow Falls P. P. There is a nice view atop a cliff on one of the trails.

The next day was quite cold. In fact, there were some ice pellets! That is why I stayed in a motel the previous night at Schreiber!

I visited White Lake P. P. which had a couple of nice trails. Birds included a couple of Black-backed Woodpeckers.

White-throated Sparrow at White Lake

Later, I stopped at Obatanga P. P. I had been there three years previous, on a trip home from Rainy River. It was good for some birds including White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and warblers. I heard Connecticut singing here.

Highway Scene near Rossport

I stopped again in Lake Superior P. P. and walked Trapper's Trail.

After a night at the Soo and taking a look at the locks, I headed towards Manitoulin Island.

I walked some trails there, but for some reason, did not take any photos! I went as far as Barrie Island, touring the roads.

I stayed a Mac's Camp on Lake Kagawong. This is a hunting and fishing camped owned by the Kada's of Sombra.

The next morning I took the first ferry over to Tobermory. On the way there I managed to see several birds including a Sandhill Crane. There is a good road through a boreal area north of South Baymouth.

Over on the Bruce, I visited my favourite spot at Dorcas Bay, then headed over to the National Park. Although it was overcrowded with people, there are some spectacular scenes along the shoreline of Georgian Bay. I have been there many times, and enjoy it each time.
I stayed the night at Port Elgin.

Georgian Bay

Overhang Point, Bruce Peninsula

Next day I stopped at MacGregor Point P. P. I always stop there when in the area, as it is one of my favourite parks. I saw an excellent variety of birds including a family of eight Ruffed Grouse.

Before heading home, I briefly checked out Pinery P. P. and saw a nesting Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Showy Lady's Slipper