Green Point Coastal Trail, Gros Morne National Park
Posted: November 19, 2013 Filed under: Newfoundland, Plant Life, Water | Tags: beach, beauty, coastal trail, Green Point, Gros Morne Park, Gulf of St. Lawrence, hike, nature, Newfoundland, ocean, thunderstorm, tuckamore Leave a comment
Coastal Trail in Gros Morne Park, August 2013
Our first attempt to go on the boat tour of the freshwater fiord in Gros Morne did not go as scheduled because of torrents of rain and lightning. However, once the weather cleared, we went on a hike on the Coastal Trail near Green Point, south of the fiord. This cobbled beach trail is flat and runs right along the coast off the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We saw marshy ponds and passed tuckamore forests. Tuckamore is the Newfoundland word for stunted spruce and balsam fir trees that grow by the coast and in mountainous areas.
Tuckamore along the Coastal Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
On the Coastal Trail, August 2013
We did not take the full 6 km return hike, because we could see more thunderstorms brewing in the distance and travelling toward us. Since we were on totally open ground, we felt it was safest to turn around. We were among several other hikers, all of us doing the return hike in record time. This trail has stayed with me for its haunting atmosphere. I found it of great beauty.
Thunderstorms approaching–Coastal Trail, August 2013
No Denying Newfoundland!
Posted: August 27, 2013 Filed under: Animal Life, Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Canada, hike, Mad Rock, minke whales, Newfoundland, No Denial Path, ocean, Rocks, signs, whales 2 Comments
One of the great signs we came upon while hiking near Mad Rock, Newfoundland, August 2013
I’ve just returned from nearly three weeks in beautiful Newfoundland. Many posts to come from the east and west of the island. This hike near Mad Rock was terrific. Views of the ocean, dramatic rocks and rolling terrain. We loved the signs we encountered, particularly this one. It was near here, on rocks by the ocean, that we saw whales nearby. Our best guess is that they were minke whales.
Cyprus Lake Trail
Posted: July 1, 2013 Filed under: Animal Life, Mineral World, Ontario, Plant Life, Water | Tags: black and white photography, Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada, Cyprus Lake, cyprus lake trail, hike, mallard, nature, Ontario, rock, water, woods Leave a comment
On the Cyprus Lake Trail, June 2013
On our second day at Bruce Peninsula National Park, we hiked 5.2 km around Cyprus Lake. We went through woods by the water and I photographed many wild flowers that I’ll be posting soon. The walking was easy and the day cool, great for a hike.
On the Cyprus Lake Trail in June 2013
On the Cyprus Lake Trail, June 2013
By the Cyprus Lake Trail a mallard has a cool drink, June 2013
Kortright Centre in Spring
Posted: June 1, 2013 Filed under: Ontario, Plant Life, Water | Tags: black and white photography, Canada, ferns, green, hike, Kortright Centre for Conservation, natural world, nature, nature photography, Ontario, peacefulness, spring, Stream, trees, walk in the woods, wildflowers, woods Leave a comment
By a stream at Kortright Centre for Conservation, May 2013
Last weekend I went to Kortright Centre for Conservation for a walk in the woods. The day was cool and sunny—perfect weather for hiking in comfort. The woods were a vibrant green, a little deeper in hue than the first yellow green of spring.
Green Kortright, May 2013
Ferns by the stream at Kortright Centre, May 2013
I photographed the woods and stream in colour and when I wanted to emphasize patterns, I moved to black and white.
In the woods at Kortright Centre, May 2013
As always, when I am at Kortright, I felt a great sense of peacefulness to be in those welcoming woods, so close to Toronto and yet in a world so different.
At Kortright Centre, May 2013
Grasslands Protection
Posted: November 2, 2012 Filed under: Grasslands, Plant Life | Tags: Canada, Community Pasture Program, Grasslands, Grasslands National Park, hike, lichen, natural world, nature, plains, prairie, prairies, Rocks, Saskatchewan, saskatchewan canada, wildflowers 8 Comments
Wildflowers in Saskatchewan grasslands not within the national park, Aug. 2009
Recently I learned that our Canadian federal government has cut a prairie land protection program called the Community Pasture Program. The government is turning care for grasslands outside the national park over to the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. There are people concerned about Saskatchewan’s plans to sell what remains of this fragile landscape at market value rates. They fear that much of what is left of the grasslands could be lost to development of different types and have started a petition to speak up for the continued protection of this land.
On the road at night under a full moon, Saskatchewan, Aug. 2008.
I do not live on the prairies but have travelled to Saskatchewan three times over the past few years. There we drove through vast plains and grasslands and hiked in the Grasslands National Park. What we experienced was a hauntingly beautiful land. Contrary to what I’d heard for years, I did not find the plains of Saskatchewan boring. While they are not dramatic like the Rockies, the grasslands have the deep, elemental feel of sky and land seen over huge distances. We felt in the presence of something ancient.
In Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 2009.
In Grasslands National Park, where we hiked on rolling hills and up buttes, we saw stones patterned by lichen, wildflowers, mule deer, sky and land in full circles as far as the eye could see. We felt a deep connection to this unadorned land and to life.
Rock with lichen in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Aug. 2009.
In Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, August 2011
Generally, when looking at protecting parts of nature, people take different sides and fight with one another. We are divided by politics and by economics among all the other things we humans cannot agree on. However, I wonder whether we share something in common. And that is, a love of some aspect of nature, be it land or water, light or clouds, trees, flowers, other animals or, in this case, grasslands. This can only happen if we have had the chance to experience nature first hand in a way that matters to us and have not been deprived of the experience, say, in city neighbourhoods devoid of nature.
Grasslands National Park, at nightfall, August 2011.
And although I write using the dividing words human and nature, I return to my first blog post where I thought we could use a new word to unite us—something like humanature. Because, although nature is generally defined as the world other than human, we are animals and a part of nature. If we learn to see ourselves and our place on earth in this way, new perspectives open from the question: why should I care if such and such a part of the natural world disappears, goes extinct or is polluted. If we see ourselves as part of nature, the protection of other parts of the natural world is really a protection of ourselves. Perhaps this seems far-fetched or poetic in the face of daily concerns with making a living and just getting by. However, I don’t think so. I believe that to save and restore what we call the natural world is actually a way of saving and revitalizing humanity.
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 2011
Johnston Canyon
Posted: October 13, 2012 Filed under: Canadian Rockies, Water | Tags: Alberta, Banff National Park, beauty, Canada, Canadian Rockies, Canyon, hike, hikers, Johnston Canyon, natural setting, natural world, nature, rock, water Leave a comment
Rocks in Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, Sept. 2012
On our first full day in the Canadian Rockies in early September (after Labour Day), we went on the Johnston Canyon trail. It was a cloudy, drizzly day and we joined many walkers on the cool, shaded trail. This is one that many people would find quite do-able, particularly the lower trail. There were elderly as well as young people, including some with babies in strollers. The presence of other people did not diminish the beauty of the canyon which we found to be a great introduction to Banff National Park.
Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park, Sept. 2012
Catwalk on the Johnston Canyon Trail, Sept. 2012
Rock and Water on the Johnston Canyon Trail, Sept. 2012, Banff National Park, Canada
Johnston Canyon Ochre Rock on Upper Trail, Sept. 2012, Alberta
We eventually took the upper trail, which lead us to deep ochre coloured rocks. There we spoke to a couple from Great Britain who were delighted, as we were, by the beauty we were in. We did not continue on to the inkpots but will likely do so on a future visit.
Here I am, pausing on our first walk–in Johnston Canyon–in Banff National Park, Sept. 2012
Johnston Canyon, Sept. 2012
The drizzle turned to rain as we retraced our steps, watching our footing on slippery rocks. Despite the chill and dampness, I felt the trees, rocks and water giving me a feeling of well-being and calling to me to learn more about the history of this dramatic part of the country.
Lake Louise and The Plain of Six Glaciers
Posted: October 8, 2012 Filed under: Animal Life, Canadian Rockies, Water | Tags: Alberta, Banff National Park, beauty, Canada, Canadian Rockies, glaciers, golden mantle ground squirrel, hike, Lake Louise, lake reflections, mountains, nature, Plain of Six Glaciers, raven, Trail 2 CommentsWhen I travelled to the Canadian Rockies in September with my husband, we went to Lake Louise several times and twice hiked the trail to the Plain of Six Glaciers as far as the teahouse. I found the lake and the mountains deeply beautiful.
Lake Louise, September 2012
Our first glimpse of Lake Louise was on a sunny day the week following Labour Day. We had heard that the crowds thin out then, but there were still many of us tourists out to see Louise. I had seen photos of her since moving to Canada in the 1970s and expected the pathway we took to the left of the hotel, down from the upper parking lot, to lead us to a trail to her. However, we were surprised as we walked around a bend to find that spectacular scene right in front of us. Here we joined scores of other tourists strolling, gaping and taking photos with large and small cameras and cell phones.
However, we soon left the throngs and walked, with increasingly fewer people, along the lake and up to the trail. We decided to return earlier the next day to hike to the plain of the six glaciers when we had plenty of time. And that’s what we did, stopping often to take in the blessed beauty and to take photos. Other hikers were out walking and we let them pass us as we continued our slow climb, sometimes exchanging a word or two about the beauty surrounding us.
Rock wall with conifers on plain of six glaciers trail, Banff National Park, Sept. 2012
I owe something to Richard Louv who wrote The Nature Principle that I’ve written about. And that is, I am much more accepting of finding other humans on nature trails than I was in the past. That is because he spoke of the extreme importance of people being in nature to care about it enough to want to preserve it.
On the way up the trail we saw golden mantle ground squirrels, who likely saw us as bringers of food. One day I saw a pika which I identified later in a guide book as the small animal I’d seen with round ears–a member of the rabbit family. We saw grey jays and ravens. Earlier, at the base of the lake we’d seen another bird–clark’s nutcracker.
Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail near Lake Louise, September 2012.
The mountains and glaciers surrounded us. We saw walls of nearly vertical rock and glacial streams of cascading water flowing into streams that led to the lake. At times we were accompanied by rumbling and witnessed a distant avalanche on what I believe was Mt. Victoria. At one point the trail took us on a narrow ledge by a cliff with steel ropes which were comforting to hang on to.
Falls by the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail in Banff National Park, Alberta, Sept. 2012
Narrow Ledge on trail to the Plain of Six Glaciers, in Banff National Park, Sept. 2012
The path itself was generally not rough, but it was a steep climb at times for us, who are moderate day hikers well past our physical youth. By the end, we went very slowly, but made it to the plain and the teahouse there—a wooden building in the conifers with Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the breeze. There, at an altitude of over 6000 feet and after hours of walking, we rewarded ourselves with tea and sandwiches looking out through the deep green of the trees. We stood later, squinting into the sun at the glaciers, and I was able to see the tiny shapes of mountain goats that another visitor pointed out. A raven croaked energetically from the top of a dead tree and the sun was warm on us. I can feel the clear atmosphere now as I write in Toronto.
Tea House Window at Plain of Six Glaciers, Sept. 2012–Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Raven near the Tea House–Plain of Six Glaciers, Sept. 2012, Banff National Park, Alberta
Then, it was down slowly in the late afternoon, retracing our steps and seeing the land, the heights from a new perspective. Lake Louise gradually came into sight and the rock wall that climbers had earlier been scaling. Greeting us were reflections in the opal water of the calm lake. Those days in the midst of the extreme beauty of earth on the plain of the six glaciers trail and at Lake Louise brought me great solace and a feeling of inner light. They remain with me still and give me strength.
Reflections in Lake Louise, early evening, Sept. 2012
of humans and nature 
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