Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Views Of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Views Of The Vermilon River: "Vermilon Wetland Vermilon Wetland River flowing South Rock Islands In River As I said in the introduction, the Vermilon is a me..."

Views Of The Vermilon River

Vermilon Wetland

Vermilon Wetland

River flowing South

Rock Islands In River

As I said in the introduction, the Vermilon is a meandering River with its orgin in a place called Shining Tree, and flows in various guises into Lake Huron via the North Channel. It widens and narrows at will and is bisected in many areas by maintenance trails, RR rights of way and snowmobile trails. This makes it fairly easy to get around, and for most of you, especially urban dwellers, it's probably hard to believe I can go to the grocery store via the woods with my camera. Boom and I start every morning in the woods weather permitting, and we can just keep going as far as we wish. For you who live in Europe, or S.E.Asia who visit the site, there are no foresters, and no restrictions, very few people as most of the area is uninhabited, and lots and lots of nature. In season the forest even feeds us along with the birds and animals. Yet for Boom and I ,we're usually no further then three miles out and can be home for lunch or dinner. Great isn't it? It also means that animals are frequent town visitors, so you do have to keep to some rules.

There are of course many rapids in the River, but I saved those for another post.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature Link

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature Link: "I linked this site because it is not only a good site, but it gives my visitors a different view of N. Ontario. It is centered on the Lake S..."

North Shore Nature Link

I linked this site because it is not only a good site, but it gives my visitors a different view of N. Ontario. It is centered on the Lake Superior, the grand old man of the Great Lakes. The lakes in my area are small as I am about 300-400 miles from the nearest Great Lake, Lake Huron. It also shows the incredible winds we are receiving. Thanks to Michael and my readers.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature: Gale warning

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature: Gale warning: "North Shore Nature: Gale warning"

North Shore Nature: Gale warning

North Shore Nature: Gale warning

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature: Late(-ish) Killdeer

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: North Shore Nature: Late(-ish) Killdeer: "North Shore Nature: Late(-ish) Killdeer"

North Shore Nature: Late(-ish) Killdeer

North Shore Nature: Late(-ish) Killdeer

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: South Wetland of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: South Wetland of The Vermilon River: "South Pond looking West  South Pond Looking East  These are early morning shots and show the mist rising of the water especially to ..."

South Wetland of The Vermilon River

South Pond looking West



South Pond Looking East

 These are early morning shots and show the mist rising of the water especially to the east. These shots are of the south pond. I just turned around on the RR track and took the photos. I watched all year for moose in the misty area as its their kind of area. They, instead, came to the apartment complex and cut through to another area of the woods. I think wildlife photography is a sea of missed opportunities.

You can also see in these photos the yellow and oranges in the fall colouration.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Fall Wetlands Cont'd of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Fall Wetlands Cont'd of The Vermilon River: "N. Pond W. Side  N. Pond to the East  N. Pond Centre  N. Pond Further East I'm standing on the east track ,a partially aband..."

Fall Wetlands Cont'd of The Vermilon River

N. Pond W. Side



N. Pond to the East



N. Pond Centre



N. Pond Further East

I'm standing on the east track ,a partially abandoned RR track that is used for a bit of shunting and then is totally abandoned after a short space,i.e., missing ties and rails, photographing north to give you a direction. The earlier wetlands (Long Lake) links by a small river and drains into this wetland which is divided in two by a beaver dam in the north quadrant, The RR track bisects what would be a huge wetland and creates a complimentary southern wetland which is fed water by culverts under the RR line. The RR line is a great place to hike because you are raised above the wetlands and the line runs through the centre of both sides. This summer (late) they went dry, but normally there is plenty of wildlife activity, and it's easy to set up your equipment. As you go further east there are more wetlands. Usually you're safe on the old track bed even deep in the forest as you can see ahead and watch for wildlife. You can go for miles as there are many uninhabited lakes and wetlands. As well you can return by other trails that are north and south of the track,or complete a loop and come out in lakes and wetlands that are further south. On weekdays I'm lucky if I see anyone.
The bright red bushes in photo 1 are pin cherries, which I spoke of earlier. Photo 3 is a clearing which is loaded with fireweed in season and is a spectacular site (see earlier flowers of the Vermilon). As well it's loaded with Pin Cherry bushes that attract all sorts of birds, especially Cedar Waxwings. Otters are common to both sides of the wetland, but I have never had the good fortune to get their photo yet.  The berries attract black bears as well.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Fall Wetlands Of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Fall Wetlands Of The Vermilon River: "Rock Outcropping  Red Bluebery Bush   Lower End Showing Fall Colours  These scenes are also from the lower end of Long Lake s..."

Fall Wetlands Of The Vermilon River

Rock Outcropping



Red Bluebery Bush




Lower End Showing Fall Colours

 These scenes are also from the lower end of Long Lake showing fall colours, as all the rest will show fall colours. The first series of the same area were shot in late summer. The natural colours here in the Vermilon River District are yellow or gold from the aspen and birch trees, and the yellow of the Tamaracks. But there are some  maples and oak, but not the quantities of the hard wood forests of southern Ontario. Reds tend to come from the blueberry bushes in clearings which turn red in fall and from the pin cherries bushes or trees, which do the same. Both reds are a browner red than the maple red.I included a close-up of a blueberry bush from the same area, which just happens to have probably one of the last dragonflies of the season. I think that you are seeing blueberry bushes, pin cherry trees and possibly some stunted maple and oaks in the rock outcropping photo which show as the bright red..

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Some Scenes of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Some Scenes of The Vermilon River: "N End of Long Lake Wetland  Shows Abandoned Beaver Hutch Which Has Turned Into an Island   Lower End showing Elevation In Ref..."

Some Scenes of The Vermilon River

N End of Long Lake Wetland



Shows Abandoned Beaver Hutch Which Has Turned Into an Island




Lower End showing Elevation In Reflection




Same



Lower End Showing Early Turning Leaves

This is the lower end of Long Lake, called erroneously Mud Lake by the locals. The summer was long and hot, without any rain which accounts for the early turning maple. This wetland is one of the few that held water and stayed wet, which likely accounts for the game in the area, as animals sought water. I saw and failed to photograph a Marten, I think, because both he and I scared the devil out of each other. Wolf tracks were constant and coyotes were just beyond the reach of my 70-300mm lens, which meant of course I had to have the Sigma 105-500mm lens-perfectly understandable isn't it? I use this area as a blind area because it's comfortable, and when blueberries are in I just sit and eat them. Bird life is abundant, and non-habituated so you have to be quiet. Upper Long Lake is quite a hike about 3 miles one way with an elevation of about 20 metres or about 60 feet, and the trail ends in a bog area which is impassable for me. So, as much as I would like to go there more often,it's not really worth it. This whole east track area is uninhabited. Remember this is not a park, so I am on my own. Boom does not accompany me because it's too hot for him in the summer and in hunting season even with his red vest he looks too much like a wolf.

Next onto the lower part. This wetland is NE by the way, and feeds the lower wetlands.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: More Immature White-Crowned Sparrows From The Verm...

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: More Immature White-Crowned Sparrows From The Verm...: "These fellows are probably the most numerous of the visitors to my baiting effort. White-throats are the least numerous, as I seem to h..."

More Immature White-Crowned Sparrows From The Vermilon River

These fellows are probably the most numerous of the visitors to my baiting effort. White-throats are the least numerous, as I seem to have to go into the forest to get them. I owe Michael from Marathon, my neighbour, for pointing the bird's ID.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Sparrow Harmony In The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Sparrow Harmony In The Vermilon River: "These two different sparrows are not usually that friendly. The White-Crowned tends to be dominant and will chase away the smaller Chippin..."

Sparrow Harmony In The Vermilon River

These two different sparrows are not usually that friendly. The White-Crowned tends to be dominant and will chase away the smaller Chipping Sparrow. I put all three in because the poses are not quite the same.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: White-Throated Sparrows of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: White-Throated Sparrows of The Vermilon River: "Classic View of A White-Throated Sparrow  Side Profile    Showing White and Black Cap    Back View  The White-Th..."

White-Throated Sparrows of The Vermilon River

Classic View of A White-Throated Sparrow



Side Profile





Showing White and Black Cap

 


Back View



The White-Throated Sparrow is a really handsome fellow, and seems to be found more in the fringe of the wetlands in my experience anyway. In terms of size he is larger than the house sparrow and I think smaller than the White-Crowned Sparrow. I think I'm amazed at the number and variety of sparrows in the area, but it is perhaps the amount of edible berries and seeds. For more views of these fellows see the Archives.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: White-Crowned Sparrows Of The Vermilon River.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: White-Crowned Sparrows Of The Vermilon River.: "Rear View Side View  Coy White-Crowned Sparrow   Front Shot   Side View The White-Crowned is I think the largest of th..."

White-Crowned Sparrows Of The Vermilon River.

Rear View

Side View



Coy White-Crowned Sparrow




Front Shot




Side View

The White-Crowned is I think the largest of the Sparrows that I have seen anyway. In the company of others they tend to be the most aggressive. They dwell at the forest edge and in clearings foraging on the ground for food. I am consistently amazed at the varieties of sparrows.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: More Song Sparrows Of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: More Song Sparrows Of The Vermilon River: "Photos showing chest splotch identifying Song Sparrow, which I spoke of in the earlier post (yesterday) on Song Sparrows."

More Song Sparrows Of The Vermilon River

Photos showing chest splotch identifying Song Sparrow, which I spoke of in the earlier post (yesterday) on Song Sparrows.

The Pine River Review: Small Birds in Flight

The Pine River Review: Small Birds in Flight

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Song Sparrows of The Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Song Sparrows of The Vermilon River: "Song Sparrow  Note Brown Crown With Narrow Grey Stripes    He Just Will Not Show The Brown Chest Splotch  ..."

Song Sparrows of The Vermilon River

Song Sparrow



Note Brown Crown With Narrow Grey Stripes

 


He Just Will Not Show The Brown Chest Splotch

 


Song Sparrow Showing Tail Feathers




Side view

 You can readily see the difficulty in identifying sparrow species. Song sparrows have a splotch of brown on their chest, which is the easiest way to ID him. But this guy will not turn in the right direction to see the splotch; nevertheless, his crown still identifies him as a song sparrow.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: American Chipping Sparrows of the Vermilon River

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: American Chipping Sparrows of the Vermilon River: "Recognizable by the rufous (rusty red) cap and the white eyebrow, these little fellows are common to the area. Chipping refers to their ..."

American Chipping Sparrows of the Vermilon River

Recognizable by the rufous (rusty red) cap and the white eyebrow, these little fellows are common to the area. Chipping refers to their chipping call or trill.

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Dark-Eyed Junco

Me, Boomer and The Vermilon River: Dark-Eyed Junco: "Front Full View Side Profile Catching those Dark Eyes Other Side Profile Showing Tail Feathers Side Profile Another Side Profi..."

Dark-Eyed Junco

Front

Full View

Side Profile Catching those Dark Eyes

Other Side Profile

Showing Tail Feathers

Side Profile

Another Side Profile

This View Shows Buff Underside

A member of the sparrow family these birds are not so much black as a slate gray with a buff breast. In comparison to the black of a crow or raven, the crows have much more blue in their plumage. The females are more a brownish slate gray than the male.These birds are much harder, in my experience, to find than other members of the sparrow family. I was quite pleased to get these photos because of their reticence to stay around if disturbed.