Muskoka Meanderings, Simcoe Saunterings, Wetland Wanderings

After leaving Algonquin Park late morning Wednesday, I stopped by Ragged Falls Provincial Park between Algonquin and Huntsville.  It is a popular spot for photographers, and needless to say many were there this day.  I often stop here each trip just for fun.

I arrived in Huntsville during the noon hour to get food and gas and look around.  I happened upon an ususual sighting in the shopping plaza parking lot.  This was one in a million chance I picked this lane to walk through, but Ron Tozer was sitting in his car waiting for his wife Pat!  We had a nice chat and then went on our separate ways.

The skies were still clear as I headed up to Arrowhead Provincial Park, not far north of Huntsville.  I have visited this park several times before just to walk some trails, but never camped there.  I first decided to walk Stubb's Falls trail, a 1.6 km loop.  It was nice and sunny when I started, but when I finished, the clouds had rolled in and it was sprinkling rain!  It got worse from there.

I managed to get the tent set up with a tarp before the skies let loose.  Needless to say, the rest of the day was a washout and I was disappointed not to walk any more trails.
I was hoping to do the long Beaver Meadow Trail where back on 20 June 2005 I found Muskoka's first and only White-eyed Vireo.

The rain stopped briefly and I checked out Big Bend Lookout, something I had not seen yet.  It was quite interesting where the Big East River loops around.  You can see the layers of time.

The river has several oxbows, and this location may someday be one.

I got up early the next morning in sprinkling rain, and headed south to Gravenhurst.  The skies let loose again and I sat at the wharf for some time.

The skies started clearing in the west, so I headed over to Hardy Lake Provincial Park, a spot I have visited several times before.
There were few birds for most of my long walk (I somehow got twisted around and walked twice as far as I wanted to!), but near the end, I found a nice flurry of passerines.  There were several warbler species and some vireos.

Tennessee Warbler with grub

Palm Warbler

Farther down the road, I decided to check out Torrence Barrens.  By this time the weather was quite nice.  I only stayed an hour, but should have stayed longer as it was quite enjoyable there.

Several Pine Warblers were among other passerines.

I motored on after this walk, and headed towards Penetanguishene.  By this time, the skies opened up again!  Then at one point, there was a storm to the south and one to the north with blue sky in between.
After lunch, I headed over to Awenda Provincial Park where, as you know, I have stayed several times before.
I walked the Robitaille Homestead Trail, but few birds were seen. 

It is interesting that this was once a cleared area and was once a  farm.

Foundation remains of barn

Afterwards, I just loafed around the campsite, drying out things! It was very windy, so I did not hear any birds in the evening.
However, during the night, the ever-reliable Barred Owls called.  One must have been at the campsite as it woke me up!
Just after 6 a.m., I heard two more calling back and forth.

Old Photo from Awenda (at my campsite!)

Before leaving the park, I checked the beach area where a good number of birds were moving along.  Out on the lake were at least 15 Common Loons, and even a few Red-necked Grebes.

It was time to head south.  I thought of staying away one more night, but the forecast called for rain late in the day and night.  Turns out it was one of the rare occasions they were right!
Normally I coincide my week off with the OFO Convention.  It seemed just too inconvenient for various reasons to attend this year, so I missed out.  Next year it is in Peterborough, so that is food for thought.  Maybe I can finally check out Algonquin's east side, then head down to Peterborough.

I eventually headed towards home, but stopped at West Perth Wetlands, as I often do on my route.
It was littered with Lesser Yellowlegs...I counted at least 100!  Nothing else of note though.

One more stop was Forest Lagoons where I met up with Jarmo Jalava.  We had met before and we had a good chat while watching some Long-billed Dowitchers and Pectoral Sandpipers.

Just after arriving at home late in the afternoon, you guessed it, the rain started.  Oh well, it was still a decent trip.

In the Heat of the Day

Work was very slow today, so I took off during the noon hour.  I think today was the worst day of this summer drought.  It has been a long time since we have seen hot and dry conditions like this summer!  Everything is burnt to a crisp, but as I write this we finally got a bit of rain.  It has virtually not rained all summer and this weekend is the one where we do not rain.  It is WAMBO time in Wallaceburg!

In local sightings, heading to work this morning, some Sandhill Cranes were in the fields along Langstaff Line, as they usually are this time of year.  Ten were near the west end.

After lunch, I headed over to Reid CA for a bit of a walk.  Lots of Silver-spotted Skippers are out right now, as are Giant Swallowtails and summer crescents.

I walked into the forest to check an area for Dukes' Skippers.  None were there.  Nearby I admired the tall oaks.

Nothing was at the "Broad-winged Skipper area" either.

Near the gate, I walked in to the shaded sedges.

I did manage to find a single worn Dukes' Skipper.

Royal River Cruisers are plentiful right now.  Last evening I saw at least a dozen along the main trail through Reid.

Here are a few other scenes from my recent trip to Muskoka.  I did not take many photos on the trip--just enjoyed the scenery and wildlife.

View from McIntyre dock of Lake Muskoka

Guest Cabin at McIntyre Cottage

Ian investigating the speedboat!

Sundew at Torrence Barrens

Muskoka: Bala to Bracebridge

Last Thursday on my trip up to Muskoka, I first stopped at Bala to visit a friend.  A year ago a bunch of us stayed at Bill and Janet's summer place and had a good time.  Since I was passing through the area, I stopped in for lunch.

Lake in front of the house

We walked around a bit after lunch, but of course the resident Massasauga Rattlesnake remained elusive!
The CPR mainline passes nearby, and trains are quite regular.

It was a scorcher of a day, but I headed over to Torrence Barrens which was not far away.  It was probably the worst time of day to be there, but it was the only chance I had to check out the place.  I only walked the main trail and was done-in by the time I finished it.  It was unbearably hot and dry. Many plants were almost burnt to a crisp!

Bird life was minimal, but I noted several Eastern Towhees.  A couple of Yellow-throated Vireos were near where the trail crosses the road.  They are somewhat uncommon in the general area, but nice to see.

Last year we had Common Nighthawks flying around, but none were out during my visit this year.

Butterflies included Coral Hairstreak, Common Wood-Nymph, Cabbage White. Not surprising this year due to the extreme hot and dry weather.

Before checking in to the motel, I toured the Grace and Speed museum at the Gravenhurst waterfront. (That was just to get out of the heat!)

Segwun and Wenonah II

After supper, I headed back to Hardy Lake Provincial Park for an evening walk on the short trail.  There, a couple of nighthawks were flying around!

 A few of the birds included Yellow-rumped Warblers.

old highway pavement

I always take a photo of this scene each time I walk this trail!

Next morning I took a walk at the waterfront, then headed up to Bracebridge sewage ponds.  Here is an eBird list:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30978697

Birders are welcome and can access the ponds through Kerr Park off Beaumont Drive.  There are also some woods alongside where passerines can be observed.

American Copper at Bracebridge Lagoons

Mid-morning I went to Allport Marina which is farther out Beaumont Drive, and arranged to get transported over to Browning Island. Shirley, the owner, had not yet arrived from Toronto, but allowed me to get into the cottage.

boathouse

I walked around a bit including going out to the point.  There is a private little bay at the property which is nice.

McIntyre Point

After the Saturday morning walk into the interior of the island (see previous post), we relaxed at the cottage.  Shirley contacted a fellow to come over from Gravenhurst.  He owns a special boat--a gentleman's racer, converted from a Mac-Craft runabout. (Mac's were built in Wallaceburg in the late 1930's and early 1940's.)

He had not owned the boat for long, but did not know the history of the boat.  I am the only one who does!  This boat was used around Toronto Island when new, but later sat in a garage in London for many years.  We looked at it back in 1984 and I thought it was not worth restoring.

September 1984!! (Gravenhurst)

However, the family went ahead, but later gave up after much cost.   The boat sat in limbo for many years, but was later built into a gentleman's racer at Gravenhurst.

I got to ride in this sleek boat on Saturday afternoon!  It give a steady, smooth ride.  And fast!

We also went out in Shirley's Mac-Craft.

Sunday, on the trip home, I stopped at West Perth Wetlands in Mitchell.  It thought it was great with all the shorebirds--the best I have seen in years anywhere.  I saw no rarities, but it was nice to sort through all the birds to end the trip.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31007515