Awenda, May 17-20 2013

I got one, I got one!!! I finally was able to capture a picture of a Pileated Woodpecker. This is only the second time I have seen one in all the time we have spent out at the parks. Duncan spotted one way up in a tree and I was able to get two pictures before it flew off into hiding again.
We had a wonderful long week-end away. We stopped at the General Store in Stanton to get our fix of fudge on the way up. When we arrived at our site there was a yellow-bellied sapsucker woodpecker waiting to greet us. Well, not really there to greet us but just looking for bugs I'm sure. After setting up we headed to Kettle Lake to see what we could see. There was not to much action there but the scenery was great. It was nice to take in the sites of this wonderful park again.
We drove into Midland on Saturday to get fuses for the brake buddy as it blew its fuse on the way up.  On the way back to the park we stopped and had some yummy poutine in Lafontaine and picked up campfire wood. Later we hiked the beaver trail and that is where we saw the pileated woodpecker. We enjoyed a wonderful evening at the campfire and it was so warm we didn't even need jackets.
Sunday we met up with Mike and Wendy for lunch in Midland. It was nice to reconnect with them and catch up. Hopefully we will see them again soon during our summer travels through the parks. Sunday evening we enjoyed the sunset by the water even though it was a little cloudy.

Monday we hiked the beaver trail again in hopes of seeing the woodpecker but he could only be heard and not seen. The mosquitoes had come to life by then so we were glad we had lucked out with almost a bug free week-end. We had no rain to dampen our plans and the weather was amazingly warm for the May long week-end.

Memories Of Awenda

 Pileated Woodpecker way up in a tree

Heart shaped log in the bush

A back lit red trillium 

 

Yellow-bellied sapsucker welcome 

The trilliums were in full bloom throughout the park

A male American Restart at Kettle Lake

Jack in the Pulpit flower along the Nipissing Trail

My first siting of a Gray Catbird

I love the colour contrast in this trillium

 Ring Billed Seagull taking in the sunset

Sunday evening sunset with the haze

Faces In The Woods

Chester The Chipmunk Comes To Visit

 

Reflections At Kettle Lake

 There are many colours even in spring

Almost looks like a fish with the reflection

 We love Awenda! Can you find the heart shape?

The lake was like glass on Sunday evening

Morning In the Backyard

So nice to sit in the backyard and take in the beauty with a soft breeze and the warm sunshine.

 Male House Finch trying to entice a little loving

The apple blossoms in all there glory

Mr squirrel is getting a little more trusting of me

The White Crowned Sparrows are sticking around this year

Collecting and pollinating the blossoms

Wheatley May 10-12, 2013

A wonderful week-end was had by all. We did lots of hiking and went to Point Pelee National Park. I was able to get my first picture of an owl. How exciting! We had a few great meals and cousin Joanne's ribs were delicious. :o) and yes we did return the borrowed item back to the LCBO in Wheatley. I was a little shocked when it started snowing just before we headed home. I didn't think it was that cold!!! It was a white knuckle drive home for Duncan as he battled the wind gusts up to 70 km all the way, but we made it home safely.  The sun would shine at times and at others we were in a snow storm. I will update with more info later but I know some of you look for the update on Tuesday so I will add more soon.

A Hike Around The Marsh Area At Wheatley Park

A view of part of the marsh

Mr. Wood Duck and Mr. & Mrs. Mallard

There were lots of carp spawning

Northern Rough-winged Sparrow coming in for a landing

Spring Fungus (Dryad's Saddle)

A large snapping turtles head peaking out

A Tree Swallow taking a rest on the boardwalk rail

Lots of drums or a place to sit........

An eyeful of yellow on the wet forest floor

New growth on an old log

Muskrat out for an evening snack

Lots of wild flowers to enjoy

Eastern Phoebe being a little shy

More Images Of A Great Week-end Away

Eastern Screech Owl, what a thrill!!!

Angry looking Grackle

Common Yellowthroat peaking out through the reeds

Wild Columbine coming into bloom

Nashville Warbler

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Barn Swallow at the marsh at Point Pelee Park

Take a seat and enjoy the view at Point Pelee Marsh

Bee taking a rest in a flower

I'm keeping my eye on you......

A male Blackburnian Warbler

 Golden beauty in the woods

Male Magnolia Warbler

This male Yellow Warbler stayed still 

long enough to get his photo taken

A dirt storm along Lake Erie on our windy drive home