Sunday, May 13, 2012

Back In The Tundra at The Vermilon River. A Post To MWT and WBW.

 This hike is really a three day hike in the Tundra, which I showed you in a previous post. The Tundra runs off the south wetland of the east track, where the water narrows in the opposite photo. The black flies and mosquitoes are out now, and its warm so Boom is not with me. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO WATCH SLIDE SHOW AND ENLARGE.
 We're coming in from the south, as the trail is impassable in the north because of snow mobile  and ATV damage. We'll pass through a black spruce stand so the woods are thick and dark. As well its impossible to move off the trail.
 The Tundra has its own stream which flows south. So it will be on our right going in, and the trees on our left.  Vice versa going out. Its all heavy under brush as the opposite photo shows. The water in the stream is black, stained that way by the bog earth. If its wet you'll sink.
 This photo shows the thick underbrush in the woods, so there's no going in there. The lighting is bad , so I'll use the 70-300 mm lens and hope for the best as far as distance is concerned..
You also have to watch for tree fall, as the black spruce trees have a small root ball, which you can see here, and fall with the wind or snow. Similarly the aspen and birch die in place. You don't want a rotten trunk coming down on you.
 The trees are so thick that the lower boughs die off. The area is a  paradise for wildlife with water food, and shelter.
 Now we're in the tundra. You can see the extent of it.
 This shot shows the stream flowing through the bog.
The weather was a bit iffy on the third day so I left earlier that I intended to.
 All the brush on the Tundra is in flower. The brush has received any sunshine that was available; the soil is rich, and the land is wet. The brush as far as the eye can see is wild blueberries. Wild blueberries are small but the best tasting you'll ever get.
Close Up Of Blueberry Flower.

Look how Thick The Flowers Are.

Close Up

All those Flowers will be berries

 Most of these berries will be harvested by the bears and other wildlife. Blueberries are sources of omega 3. Think how healthy the bears are.
 The whole area is greening. These are Wild Lilly Of The Valley just starting to flower.
Unknown

Pin Cherry Blossoms.

Pin Cherry Buds

Wild Violets.

 We call these little guys "Johnny Jump Ups". They're small but are they ever hardy.
 We're starting to see more butterflies. These are summer Azures.
Summer Azure On Blueberry Bush.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

 I tried to put the birds together in families as there are some new sightings, and some I did not include as I don't know what they are yet.
Black-capped Chickadee

Chipping Sparrow.

Common Grackle.

Male Red-winged Blackbird.

Same

Male Red-winged Blackbird.

 All the male's posturing finally paid off, as here is his mate, the Female Red-winged Blackbird.
Female Red-winged Blackbird.

Raven In Flight.

 My sparrows got a little out of order as this White-crowned should be with the Chipping sparrow. I still have not seen any Swamp or Savannah's yet.
White-crowned Sparrow.

 The only warblers that I had seen so far was the Yellow Rumped, but below are Palm Warblers that I was fortunate to catch.
Yellow-Rumped.

Yellow-rumped Warbler.


Yellow-rumped

 These beauties are Palm Warblers.
Palm Warbler.

 Not just a Robin, but a Thrush to lead off the parade. In a previous post I showed some shots of a Swainson's Thrush.Here I'm adding the Hermit Thrush.
Robin

Swainson's Thrush.

Hermit Thrush.

Hermit Thrush

Male Purple Finch.

Red Squirrel 
Squirrel

This shot is courtesy of Henri and Rejeanne Pomerleau who live just south of me. They posted it on The Weather Network. Its a mom and her cubs looking for food after their hibernation. They still have to wait for the berries to ripen, but it won't be long if the Tundra is any standard.


A post to MWT, and WBW.

60 comments:

  1. wild violets were always a favorite of mine. don't see them here in texas.

    love those 4 bears! wow!

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  2. Thanks for taking us on a walk with you once again. You always find so many wonderful things to catch with your camera lens.

    All the best,
    Lois

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  3. It's great seeing how much everything is changing in your part of the world. Great shots of the landscape and wildlife.

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  4. I still sit in awe at how many different species of animal you find while out on your walks.

    And those forest shots look eerie.

    Shaun Valleys ShutterBug

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  5. Thank you for another virtual hike, Gary. It's great to see the stirrings of Spring. Some fo those flower photos are simply wonderful!

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  6. Tundra: what a forbidding and yet intriguing landscape! I love your bug shots. Your flowers are lovely!

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  7. Excellent series of pictures from an exciting nature area!
    Thanks for sharing

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  8. Beautiful bird shots! And, I wish I had some of those blueberries!

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  9. Your world is amazing! These images are enchanted.

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  10. What a great hike, Gary! So many gorgeous birds and flowers and colors -- and of course, the squirrel! Such a wonderful world you have!!

    Sylvia

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  11. Thanks for taking us along with you on this hike. I haven't had much experience with the tundra, so I really enjoyed your pictures.

    Thanks for visiting my site.

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  12. Great shots. Love to see from your hikes.
    I especially like the White-crowned sparrow and the Black-capped Chickadee.
    We have a lot of blueberries here, but no bears.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Mette

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  13. I'm glad to hear the butterflies have reached you! I saw blueberries in blossom last Saturday. I didn't realize they bloom so early.

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  14. What an adventure. The brush does look very thick and impassable. I hope the bears leave you alone.

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  15. The flower close ups and buterfly are wonderful, but your birds are exceptional and what a bonus to have the bear picture.

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  16. It such a varies birds, and, and, and the black bears, I am in love with them.

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  17. What a great habitat for the wildlife. I love the birds and the beautiful trees. The bears are cool too, what a cool sight. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!

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  18. Nice photos, I wish I bear and stay healthy with these berries.

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  19. You certainly live a dream. Thank you for these insides. Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens photo

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  20. Fun post! I love that you identify so many birds and plants. The Hermit Thrush was a treat. I've only photographed one, shown in a long ago post.

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  21. Wonderful shots! I've never done a 3-day hike, I'm sure I'd love it.

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  22. Grand show! Absolutely delightful pictures.

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  23. Beautiful place with such lovely birds and flowers.

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  24. Thank -you for visiting my blog. I have never visited the Tundra but reading your commentary as I viewed your photos gives me a better understanding of that part of the world. Thanks

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  25. How lovely to see spring blooming with flowers and greenery and birds!

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  26. Hi there - yet another great set of pictures - I would have to say that having a family of bears walk through your backyard (if if it’s not your own backyard!) must be a bit of a wildlife highlight!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  27. So wonderfully nostalgic for me Gary with all the plants I remember from my North European childhood, even some of the birds are the same.
    You are so right, nothing beats wild blueberries for flavour.

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  28. What an awesome series. Your bird shots are book quality. I am amazed at all of them. Enjoyed seeing the bog and all the flowers. Johnny Jump Ups...I have heard that name for years, but these are the first. Butterflies, birds, bogs, and blossoms make for a fabulous post. genie

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  29. Three days hike? Would kill my back.:( Nice shots.

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  30. What a magnificent place, so full of creatures and a stark beauty. Three days is some hike!

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  31. Så underbar vandring i tre dagar över skog och mark.
    Helt fantastiskt vackert!

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  32. Hi Gary

    A lovely post I really enjoyed the butterflies and flowers. It looks like Spring is finally coming around too bad the blackflies come with it.

    Hi to Boomer.
    Guy

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  33. Fascinating series of birds and other wildlife. I envy the bears! We only get tinned blueberries...the fresh ones must be heavenly! Loved the pretty blossoms too!

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  34. Such a beautiful captures Gary!
    I love the little viola's the most...
    Greetings from Holland,
    Anna :-))

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  35. In your post we can see a diversity of the nature.
    Greetings from Finland!

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  36. What a brilliant walk in your countryside - you have captured so much - such a variety of birds and flowers - I especially like the picture of the wild lily of the valley and your shots of the Tundra - Jane UK

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  37. A wonderful walk filled with beautiful sights!
    A mama bear and cubs - wow! Looks like that is your neighbor's yard I think. Now that's living with wildlife.

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  38. A fantastic post Gary... Spring in Canada is amazing to see..

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  39. Thanks for taking us on your trip! You must have enjoyed it very much! The male purple finch is beautiful, as well as your first photos of the trees and flowers - they are my favorite part of your outing;)

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  40. A wonderful series of photos again. The little flowers are so beautiful. I can just imagine those blueberries! Years ago in northern BC Canada I found tiny wild strawberries growing beside a river. They were the sweetest I have ever tasted!

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  41. Terrific shots Gary, that chickadee is so cute!

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  42. Great variety of birds! /Susanne

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  43. Wonderful collection of photos from your hike.

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  44. Lovely to see this serie of very good photos!
    A great post for WBW!

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  45. As always spectacular wildlife photos and information. I enjoy learning about Northern Ontario through your blog.

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  46. Amazing Gary! - I enjoyed every second while scrolling down :)
    You know I have been jealous about your ravens so I must tell you that I have heard ravens here now but not seen them yet :)

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  47. Wonderful to see the world through your lens!
    Cheers Gary!

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  48. Looking at your amazing pictures actually felt like going with you on a hike! Nature is just breath-taking and the wildlife fascination. Thank you for sharing a part of your world. Fantastic!


    Inside Cambodia

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  49. Terrific post -- Interesting about the tundra .... my favorite bird picture is #27 -- the quizzical chickadee! So Boom has to just run around at home during bug season? I bet he hates late Spring.

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  50. Gary...always a joy to visit your blog..I specially liked the raven in flight!Thanks for sharing!Have a great day!

    Shantana

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  51. What a beautiful place to hike! Love your bird photos.

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  52. Beautiful overlook of the Tundra and wildlife, the only thing I am missing are my beloved squirrels ! :)

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  53. Your world is so beautiful, and filled with different nature things to see! I love your bird photos!

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  54. After reading your post I went back to the first photo and viewed the slideshow. It was really worth it. Great hike Gary!

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  55. superbe serie, j'aime beaucoup les photos des oiseaux

    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  56. What a beautiful place to live!! And to be able to hike through all of that.....amazing. Love the wide variety of birds and just being able to experience that. Thanks for sharing your hike!!

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  57. Amazing variety of flora and fauna, Gary -- love the blueberry blossoms!

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  58. My goodness Gary, what an interesting post. Beautiful scenery you have. I love wild blueberries. Awesone bird shots. Nothing like it.
    BTW I mislabeled the Grosbeak. It's a juvinile Rose-breasted grosbeak.

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