Arista Ramblers: Port Burwell, Sept. 24-26 2015

We enjoyed another beautiful weekend. It was warm and sunny during the day but cooled off through the evening and night hours. It was a full moon weekend so there was lots of light in the park for us to enjoy while we sat and listened to the crackling sounds of our campfires. I always enjoy a fire that has lots of crackle and warmth to it. The monarch butterflies are still on the move and waiting for a good north wind to help with their journey across the lake.
On Saturday I went for a hike and found a huge field of butternut squash. It was the same field where we had enjoyed some of the leftover carrots after they had harvested the field. It was so tempting to collect a few for us to enjoy but I knew I couldn't do it so I took in the view of seeing them all. After getting back to camp I went down to see if I could be lucky enough to witness some of the hawks that migrate through the park in the fall. The naturalists that were there said that there had been a few but since the appearance of on osprey things had quieted down. We headed out on an excursion to check out some of the sights in the area and made a stop at a veggie market to get some squash to cook up for the winter months. When we returned we went for a walk along the beach and enjoyed the warm sun. Most of the birds have left for there winter homes so it was rather quiet on this trip to Port Burwell. After enjoying a delicious supper we took in a beautiful sunset at the beach before retiring for the day beside a roaring campfire.
Sunday we slept in a bit which was nice. After indulging in a wonderful brunch we went for a tour in town and spent a wee while at the beach. There were Semipalmated Sandpipers, Bonaparte's Gulls and Caspian Terns all in there non-breeding colours. The channel was visited frequently by the Cormorant's looking for a bite to eat. When we finished packing up we headed down to spend a few hours walking the beach and enjoying the sun before heading home. With sunset arriving earlier each week we have to leave earlier so that we can get home and parked before it is dark. We have enjoyed our trips to Port Burwell this year and we will have to wait till next season to return.
This week we are heading back up to Inverhuron and maybe we will get to spend some more time with Rod as he is staying up there as well. Next week I will be going on a three day trip to Sault Ste. Marie to do the Agawa Canyon train trip with friends. When I get back we will have to pack up for our Thanksgiving weekend up to Awenda. It is going to be a busy time but I am looking forward to the adventures. Thanksgiving dinner will have to wait until after Thanksgiving this year for us to celebrate and enjoy a turkey and all the trimmings.