Sunday, July 15, 2012

A Hike To Mystic Lake Of The Vermilon River. A Post To MWT And Idrbb (new meme)

 The day was right for a climb to Mystic Lake with cool temperatures and a mild breeze. The trail is steep, about a sixty degree incline in parts, with a ninety degree dog leg thrown in. As well the path is narrow, and the forest dense, so variations in light are extreme, making photography difficult.  The Lake is in a bowl in the ridge shown opposite. All in all, it's a trail for the active and the aware. So what am I doing on it? When you see the Lake, of course you'll realize what I'm doing on it, and you're going to wish you lived up here.

There is always something interesting at Mystic Lake, and today the moon was still visible in the sky for a good part of the morning.

A post to MWT, and to the new bird meme, I'd rather be Birding . To the new meme, welcome.
 This is the ninety degree dog leg. So the question is what's on the other side? It sure won't be people, because the Lake is one in the uninhabited chain that runs to the north west.

AS USUAL THE POST IS SET UP FOR THE SLIDE SHOW, SO CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ACTIVATE IT. YOU SHOULD READ THE COPY FIRST TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
Hold your breath so we don't dislodge the rock above our heads

Wonder what lives in there?

At least this one looks stable.

First view of the Lake.

A rocky finger into the Lake.

Another View. All those low shrubs are blueberries.

A Reflection

Looking to the south west.

To the south

More Reflections.

 The Harrier was actively hunting again. She hunts the east track wetland which is the nesting site of numerous small birds. This time a Red-winged Blackbird decided to go after her. I thought the blackbird had actually hit the Harrier, but she merely turned so her attacker missed completely as you'll see.
Side View.

The blackbird is in the air now.

See the Harrier has merely turned.

Turkey Vulture.

Turkey Vulture.

Chickadee picking berries.

Chickadee in black spruce tree.

Male Common Yellow-throat Warbler.

He has lunch.

There's a fair breeze and all these guys are hanging on .

Puffed Cedar Waxwing

Even more puffed

Cedar Waxwing.

Another view.

Alder Flycatcher.

Alder Flycatcher.

Flycatcher In Flight.

Chipping Sparrow

Preening.

Still preening.

Now singing

 This is a shot of an Ontario air ambulance.Must have been an accident along the rail line.
Fritillary

Question Mark.

Unknown

Unknown Dragonflies.

Canada Thistle

Fern, but also showing the light variation.

Fireweed

Broad-leave Meadow-sweet. The shrub contains salicylates, the active  part of asprin.

Bladder Campion

Wild Diasies.

Common Yarrow.

Tansy

Wild Blueberries.

54 comments:

  1. I truly enjoyed your post. I love birds and always try to get good shots out in nature, but they rarely turn out good enough to post. I'm also a big fan of wildflowers, which you have in plentiful supply.

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  2. Hi Gary,
    Your pictures are very nice, I love the Chickadee eating berries, looks so sweet. I have had those birds eating seeds from my hands, it was a nice experience. I wish you a nice Sunday.
    Laura :0)

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  3. those river/lake scenes with the brilliant blue sky reflected are beautiful. :)

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  4. Another wonderful walk and wonderful pictures Gary. Those harriers are such cool guys - no-one bothers them.

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  5. Beautiful picture series with both landscape (natural) / birds / butterflies and flowers.
    Always a pleasure to see what you've inserted.
    Thanks for viewing.
    Wishing you a good Sunday evening :)
    Hanne Bente

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  6. You have a lot more going on over there than I have this summer Gary..

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  7. wonderful snaps! great post Gary!

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  8. Beautiful captures! I especially LOVE the variety of birds and that awesome MOON shot!

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  9. Those rivers/lakes are tremendous, enough to make me want to go there.

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  10. What a beautiful part of the world. And, I love your shot of the moon. Thank you for sharing your great images.

    Happy Sunday,
    Lois

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  11. Beautiful day to be out enjoying nature. A great collection of photos. The lake is beautiful and I always enjoy seeing your birds. Thanks for sharing, hope you have a great week ahead.

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  12. Such a great post, as allways! Lovely to see all these different photos!
    Have a nice day!

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  13. Thanks for sharing the scenery, fauna and super wildlife.

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  14. Oh for the Harrier images, wow those are stunning and the Cedar Waxwings, marvelous, and the scenes, magnificent...did you figure I liked these;')~

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  15. gorgeous birds and i especially enjoyed the flight shots. i think the turkey vultures look awsome in flight!!

    stunning blue skies!!

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  16. Adore all these glimpses of your world! This time, my favourite is the flycatcher in flight! What a cutie!

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  17. That trail to the lake sounds very challenging! but worth it to get such beautiful views of the lake. Great photos of all the birds and flowers as well.

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  18. Jaw-dropping beauty.
    I need to get out into the woods more.

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  19. another most enjoyable series Gary

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  20. What an amazing selection of pictures - the lake is very beautiful and clear - those are great bird shots - the question mark butterfly we call a comma overhere I think - I must check that one out - Jane UK

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  21. Nice pictures of a great range of motives, I liked the entire collection here.

    Ottar

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  22. Looks like a delightful walk. Bird, Flowers, landscapes and butterflies. Can't ask for more than that. I also love the shot of the moon.

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  23. Fantastic photos of the rivers, birds, and butterfly! The water looks so refreshing on a hot day here..

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  24. You just know a hike to somewhere called 'Mystic Lake' is going to be full of surprises! That's a fantastic shot of the moon! Have a great week.

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  25. Fantastic captures as always, Gary! I do love Mystic Lake! Superb shot of the moon and all the critters and creatures! Enjoy your world -- I know that I do from what I see through your eyes!

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  26. What a beautiful place, and so much wildlife. I'd love to spend a few days by that uninhabited lake.

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  27. The sky is beautiful. It looks less humid there than here.

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  28. you do make me jelous when I see your ramble posts

    I always enjoy seeing your Warblers and Sparrows, and most recentlyyour flaura

    As usaul Gary a top post

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  29. I haven't been here in a long time and I have missed your birds and flowers...

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  30. Again, amazing pics from front to back.

    On your hike, at 60 degree climebs and doglegs I think I'd have more difficulties than just the photography.

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  31. Without repeating myself, continue to much impressed by the beauty and peacefulness of your world. Thank you for this much needed journeys. Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens photo

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  32. Fabulous shots, what a wonderful hike....that Lake is wonderful and I expect all your readers wish they could at least visit -- preferably with you as the hike leader.

    And by the way although you've said before that you have some physical limitations, I believe you to be one of the most active people I can imagine and certainly one of the most aware!!) Off to view the slide show. I usually don't come back and comment after I do that, but it really is amazing to see the pictures that way and I hope most of your readers take the time. It is so worth it.

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  33. Hi Gary

    Mystic Lake looks like a wonderful place for a hike! The birds were all very busy there. I was surprsied to see a blackbird go after thr Harrier! Beautful flowers and butterflies.

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  34. You have a beautiful world!Fantastic Pics!

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  35. A great place to visit, especially during blueberry season!

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  36. Wonderful shots, very nice variety.

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  37. Great captures. You have a fantastic collection.

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  38. Hi there - I feel a bit sorry for the birds of prey when they get mobbed!

    Great post.

    Seems to be the season for new memes as you may see on Wednesday!

    Stewart M

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  39. Hi! There are many beautiful photos. your adventure is very interesting. There are many beautiful wild flower photos too. I enjoyed them very much. To my regret, I looked for Vermilon river, but could not find where the river is.

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  40. I think I have never seen such a lot of birds and such a variety then on your blog ! Beautiful pictures again.

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  41. Love the beautiful nature in your post. Fantastic to have such close up view of the moon, that I could almost see the moon surface.

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  42. Great moon shot and the Harrier-Redwing interaction was interesting. I'm thinking there may be an old grudge. At least that is what happens here with many young crows carried off in the talons of eagles and hawks.

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  43. Such a wonderful post as always! Your photos are amazing.

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  44. My, you truly live in a wonderful place

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  45. Gary, three words to your photos 'WOW'!!
    I wish I could be there!

    thanks for stopping by,
    Amiko of http://maipikucha.blogspot.com/

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  46. I love your posts!
    Greetings from Cottage Country!
    P.S. WE HAD RAIN TODAY!!!!!! :-)

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  47. I love the way how you said it "a trail for the active and the aware". There's really a lot to see there as you posted here, and like all of us it is difficult to control posting, because everything seems to be important.

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  48. Lots of lovely shots! The coast is great and the birds are awesome!

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  49. Beautiful photos as always. The place is so beautiful.

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  50. Wonderful views of the lake, what a beautiful place. The birds are all beautiful and I love your wildflower shots.

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