Trillium, black flies and a loon
May 29th, 2016
(Okay, I didn't photograph the black flies.)
I went to Wolf Trail on the afternoon of the 11th to celebrate the recent opening of the Gatineau Parkway. In the past I've avoided the Eardley Escarpment in May and June, for fear of black flies. They were definitely out, but they weren't that bad. I suspect they had only recently emerged, since I mainly ran into them near running water, and they weren't biting much.
The next thing I discovered about Wolf Trail in May is that it is the motherload of Red Trillium. My goodness, Red Trillium everywhere! From big backlit beauties...
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to little ones stooping in the shade.
It was an embarrassment of riches. At first I could scarcely focus on anything else, for all these gorgeous burgundy flowers everywhere I looked.
White Trillium was in bloom too.
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And various mystery plants were shooting up.
(Save for a bit of digital sharpening, that is an unaltered photo.)
When I got back to Meech Lake, I was pleasantly startled to see a loon swimming quite close to shore. (Another advantage of going to this area in May: once Blanchet Beach is open to swimmers, there aren't going to be any loons there!) I managed one photo before it noticed me, ducked under and (as loons do) resurfaced much, much further out in the lake.
A White-Crowned Sparrow was also taking advantage of deserted Blanchet Beach. The open habitat was just its cup of tea. This is a far-northern bird that only occurs in Ottawa in migration.
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Bellwort, another ephemeral wildflower, abundantly in bloom at Wolf Trail.
May 29th, 2016
(Okay, I didn't photograph the black flies.)
I went to Wolf Trail on the afternoon of the 11th to celebrate the recent opening of the Gatineau Parkway. In the past I've avoided the Eardley Escarpment in May and June, for fear of black flies. They were definitely out, but they weren't that bad. I suspect they had only recently emerged, since I mainly ran into them near running water, and they weren't biting much.
The next thing I discovered about Wolf Trail in May is that it is the motherload of Red Trillium. My goodness, Red Trillium everywhere! From big backlit beauties...
1680x1050 wallpaper
to little ones stooping in the shade.
It was an embarrassment of riches. At first I could scarcely focus on anything else, for all these gorgeous burgundy flowers everywhere I looked.
White Trillium was in bloom too.
1920x1080 wallpaper
And various mystery plants were shooting up.
(Save for a bit of digital sharpening, that is an unaltered photo.)
When I got back to Meech Lake, I was pleasantly startled to see a loon swimming quite close to shore. (Another advantage of going to this area in May: once Blanchet Beach is open to swimmers, there aren't going to be any loons there!) I managed one photo before it noticed me, ducked under and (as loons do) resurfaced much, much further out in the lake.
A White-Crowned Sparrow was also taking advantage of deserted Blanchet Beach. The open habitat was just its cup of tea. This is a far-northern bird that only occurs in Ottawa in migration.
1680x1050 wallpaper
Bellwort, another ephemeral wildflower, abundantly in bloom at Wolf Trail.
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Mike
May 29th, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Lovely shots... the loon would usually require a tripod and more lens, and the lighting on the flowers is great.
Siv
May 29th, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Your pictures are truly gorgeous!!
mustangsallie
May 29th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
You captured that first one in just the right light. Beautiful. As for the black flies....should I pack some DEET for my visit? It sounds like June is the season.
Suzanne
May 29th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Thank you all!
mustangsallie - No worries, black flies are fairly uncommon in the Ottawa area. (Certainly nothing like this.) You mainly get them in the Gatineau, and only certain parts of the Gatineau (of which Pink Lake, your favorite spot, is not one.) There may be some mosquitos by the time you get here, but I have Off.