Point Farms May 23-25 2014

Guess what we enjoyed this weekend? If you don't know, you will find out when you look at the photos I have posted. It was a gorgeous weekend and we went for our first long walk on the beach. We were not brave enough to test the water yet but there were some kids in swimming. Parts of the park were very wet as there has been lots of rain up there. Our site was dry and we enjoyed some relaxing time by the campfire. We took a drive up to Pine River to get our stock of cheese that we enjoy so much. They also had my favorite hot chocolate which is French Vanilla Cappuccino so I bought there last 5 packages. The sunsets along Lake Huron are the best and they certainly were amazing on the weekend. I was able to get a photo of a Indigo Bunting for the first time. It is not a close up but I can say I was thrilled to see it. There were many Gray Catbirds and American Redstarts in the park. It is very obvious how the Catbird got its name as it does sound like a cat meowing. It was nice to see how the square in Goderich looks now that it is finished and the grass has all filled in. They have done a great job of re-doing everything after the tornado went through 2 years ago. We enjoyed a Saturday morning walk through the market and visited a few of the stores. We always stopped at a pond just north of the park as there is usually a good chance of getting some photos of the wildlife that live there but this weekend there was no one at home. We always look forward to our trip to Point Farms and we are never disappointed.

Sunsets, Sights and Treats........

Shades of green everywhere in the park

Gray Catbird with it rusty tail feathers showing

Turkey Vulture ready for take-off

The harbour in Goderich must be a fishing hotspot right 

now as there were many boats out in the water

Culberts famous donuts

There is nothing as good as these treats, YUMMY!!!

Friday evening sunset overlooking the lake

Setting sun rays on an old stump

Female American Redstart 

Wild strawberries growing by the park road

Indigo Bunting singing away in the tree

A front view of the Indigo Bunting

Saturday evening sunset from on the ridge

Red sky at night, a sailors delight

Huge Bracket Fungus in the morning sun

Bumble Bee doing its thing....

2014 Adventure Schedule

This is our schedule up until Labor Day Weekend. I will update the fall schedule when we decide where we are going to enjoy the beauty that fall has to offer. I will try and post to the blog our weekend fun the following week. So far we have had great trips and we are looking forward to another fun filled season.

Killbear, May 16-19 2014

This was our first trip to Killbear Park and we will be adding this to our list of great parks to return to. The weather was cool when we arrived but the sun shone almost all weekend. Each day was warmer and a weekend of fun and firsts was enjoyed. After setting up camp we headed out for firewood and a tour of the park. We hiked the Lighthouse Point Trail, had supper and enjoyed a campfire.

Lighthouse Point Trail

View of the shoreline

Lighthouse at the point

Columbine plant growing on the rocks

Male American Redstart

Fall colours in spring

Saturday was a busy day as we wanted to go to the Visitor Center, hike the Lookout Point Trail, drive to Snug Harbour and spend the evening relaxing at the fire. We were able to accomplish all this and I was able to take a walk on the beach before supper while Duncan put his feet up at our campsite.

 Saturdays Adventures

We saw a MOOSE at the Visitors Center.....lol

Looking out from the Visitors Center

Down by the waters edge

Green Bracket Fungi

Sunlit new growth on a tree

Ant on the new flowers on the forest floor

Lookout Point view

Great-crested Flycatcher, a first for me

1 of 20 thousand Beech Trees that have been cut down in Killbear Park due to disease 

which leads the trees to snap from decay before it looks like they are even sick.

Eastern Phoebe

Looking out on Kilcoursie Bay from the beach

A woman painting at the beach

Sunday was another beautiful day and we drove into Parry Sound to check out the sights there. We stopped at the main harbour and drove up to the tower that looks over the area. On our way back to camp we stopped at the general store to check it out. We then hiked the Twin Points Trail before heading back for a rest. Before supper we took one last tour through the park to see what we could see. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

Sundays Tour & Hike

Duncan  at the dock in Parry Sound

It amazes me how things can grow on this rock

Just have to scratch this itch

One of many piles of wood from all the cut trees  :(

Male Common Merganser out fishing

It's amazing how mesmerizing a camp

fire can be

Life was busy at the campsite also. We had a few chipmunks that visited but the exciting thing was a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that were working on a new home. I was able to get many photos as the male worked away on the nest in the tree. There was another male that wanted her attention but her mate kept him at bay.

Campsite Activity

Chipmunk has his hole at our campsite

I'll close my eyes and she won't see me.......

Trying to work the ipad

I found the peanut bag but how do I get in

I know I can make this peanut fit

Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Working to clear out the new home for the Mrs.

Removing a mouthful of wood chips

Another male trying to entice his woman

I can fit in now so it is almost finished

Looking for the wife for final inspection

 

The vegetables are starting to grow at the Holland Marsh area