Thursday, October 25, 2012

Another Face Of The Vermilon River Forest, or a Walk in the Tundra.

 So far in my scenic, or landscape photos I've concentrated on wetlands and the River itself. Shooting landscapes involves angle, planes, and interesting sites such as rock islands or rapids, as well as colour. The River or wetlands is filled with interesting sites which facilitates the process and it was here that I, therefore, cut my my teeth. But the Vermilon Forest is a transition forest between the St.Lawrence-Great lakes Forest, and the Boreal, and offers even more photo opportunities.

Boomer's move out of the lethargy of the hot summer, and our finding of the new trail over the ridge behind our apartment gives us a perfect opportunity to give you a view of a Boreal phenomena-the Tundra, Taiga, bog or fen, whatever you want to call it. The ridge in these photos, has the usual selection of trees, birch aspen and spruce, pine as well as some black spruce, which I have written about earlier. We'll be moving into something very different.As interesting as the sky is, the sky is overcast,and we're going into a thick forest that surrounds the actual tundra.

CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR THE SLIDESHOW.
An interesting sky over the ridge.

The promise of brightness will soon disappear.

Ground fog.

 Once we clear the ridge, the forest changes to black spruce and tamarack. I've written of black spruce before. Tamarack is not an evergreen,although it looks like one. It sheds its needles in the fall which first turn an orange brown. As well it prefers, like the black spruce, damp ground. In fact everything is damp here and murky with or without light.It, the Tamarack, is a Boreal tree.

A post to:Sky Watch Friday,andCamera Critters

 Tamaracks and spruce against the sky.There is a creek that runs along the trail. The forest is almost impassable because the spruce is gnarly and the forest brush is thick. So if we go in it I generally get hung up. Boomer is much more agile,as is the wildlife.
The Tundra creek or river.

The Tundra  looking north.

Back of Chickadee.

Blue Jay

Red Squirrel

Ruffled Grouse.

Rose-breasted Nuthatch

Fox Sparrow.

Chickadee.

Ruffled Grouse.

Rose-breasted Nuthatch.

Red Squirrel

Pine Sisken

Three Pine Siskens

Two Blue Jays.

Chickadee.


Ruffled Grouse.

Rose-breasted Nuthatch

Pine Sisken

Chickadee.

Pine Sisken

Pine Siskens.

Blue Jays.

 Perhaps Boom, and I have been in the forest too long. We don't measure the change of seasons by the arrival of snow, or the leaf colours, rather we measure it by the wildlife, both four legged and the birds. The warblers are long gone. The junco's, white crown sparrows, and the white-throat's have left. The Pine Siskens have arrived in force as have the Evening Grosbeaks. Next it will be the Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, and the Cross-bills, all Boreal birds looking for food. They are all heavy duty feeders, and will ground feed. As long as the food lasts, they'll stay and brighten our winter.

Similarly the four legged, non-hibernating critters will adapt to their winter mode.

Above is a Male Evening Grosbeak.
Female Evening Grosbeak

Female Grosbeak

Female Grosbeak

Pine Sisken

38 comments:

  1. as always a wonderful selection of photographs. You live in a gorgeous part of our country,

    Gill

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  2. Lots of wildlife up at the Vermilion River. Any snow yet up your way?

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  3. Gorgeous post as always Gary! I love your critter photos, and the sky shots are marvelous.

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  4. Hi Gary

    I enjoyed the grouse and the grosbeaks. It was interesting to see the tundra.

    Guy

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  5. A great series. I like the golden glow of Tamarack in the autumn.

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  6. Ah, another beautiful post! Just wonderful as your posts always are. I always enjoy taking a walk with you and your camera.

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  7. I love everything about this photo collection. The sky, the fall colors,the river and the reflection = Perfection! The animals also signifies that the Vermilon River Forest is a abundant and a healthy one.
    home loan Rockingham

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  8. the grosbeaks are back! :) i always smile at your cute squirrels. the grouse and nuthatches are so neat. and you showed some handsome jays.

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  9. Beautiful scenery in your area and the range of critters is amazing. Your pictures are beautiful.

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  10. Hi !
    We love Blue jays, beautiful series ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

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  11. You have such beautiful hikes and also great variety of wildlife.

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  12. Wonderful skies and the squirrels are looking particularly good today! They must love autumn! Terrific captures as always, Gary, thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend!

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  13. Beautiful, I love that Blue Jay.

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  14. wonderful set of nature photos...

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  15. great collection of nature at play and the sesasons ready to change, thanks for sharing your walks with SWF

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  16. The contrails are striking in your skies!
    The Blue Jays and squirrels are always my favorites and the grouse was a lovely addition to the regular critters today!

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  17. The ground fog shot is very mysterious, and a little Halloween-ish. Nice capture.

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  18. So many cute little critters. I saw my first chickadee recently.

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  19. Another great series of photographs!

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  20. Great series, Gary! The Evening Grosbeaks are my favorite. They are showing up in Maryland this week, I wish one would pop up in my yard. Happy Skywatching!

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  21. Beautiful pictures, beautiful colors, excellent autumn atmosphere. Greetings.

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  22. These photographs are mind boggling....absolutely beautiful. I love how I can click on one photo and I get to see the entire set. What a treat. I had the best time going thru all of them. I wish I knew just a wee bit of what you know about the birds. I did recognize the squirrel. That made me feel a bit better. Wonderful photography as always. genie

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  23. great that you found a new path. :)

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  24. Beautiful walk -- I just knew that Boomer would be happier as the weather cooled. I'll be back for the slide show later.

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  25. Beautiful photos and great wildlife.

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  26. Wow! Nice collection of bird photos!

    I love the take shots of the fog, mystifying!

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  27. wow! fantastic images!!!! they make me want to be there!

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  28. great pictures - I think your may be right - some animals are a much more important human marker of seasonal change than plants.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  29. Love your nature shots, birds & animals. You live in a beautiful place. Ritva, from Finland

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  30. Beautiful landscapes and wildlife!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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  31. I'm loving the skies in these shots! And that squirrel - utterly charming!

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  32. Thank you for this grand tour of this wonderful part of our world. Only been to Canada once and it truly has some lovely sights.

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  33. Aahh, beautiful captures :0) Bright and clear :o)

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  34. Such a gorgeous place! I always enjoy your pictures.

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  35. Great nature photos with beautiful fall colors and not to mention all those fine birds you have, here were many exciting species. Amazing photos!!

    Ottar

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  36. Didn't realize Canada had tundras -beautiful -especially your pic with the fog hanging over it!

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  37. Wonderful cloud capture! Looks like an aeroplane contrails.

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