|
Pictures of
Black's Bay Lodge |
 |
Just back from the dog cart races, they
celebrate their 2nd place finish. For the more adventuresome, start your
Olympic class training in preparation for winter dog sledding.
Mush!
|
|
A young bird watcher
uses rubber boots and binoculars to slowly sneak up on his latest subject.
Without looking too hard, you can spot hummingbirds, loons, sand hill
cranes, bats, purple martins, egrets, blue herons, Canadian geese,
mallards, wood ducks, grouse, cormorants, osprey, barred owls, chickadee,
finches, blue jays, whiskey jacks, pheasants, and many others.
There are over 300 species of birds
that can be found on Manitoulin.
|
 |
The 18 ft. canoe is easily launched and
recovered. The girls launched and paddled to town for an ice cream
cone at the Nature Interpretation Centre in Providence Bay (approx. 10 km.
round trip); returning 3 hours later from their canoe venture. The
canoe, life jackets, paddles, etc. are available at BBay for your family
adventure. |
|
Lots of firewood, a large stone fireplace
with benches, and long debates over the best method for cooking & eating
roasted marshmallows creates a natural
gathering place to share the events of the day.
|
|
 |
The first 1 km. of Nature Trail has been
successfully cleared. Come take a walk through the peaceful woods on
Manitoulin Island.
Sit quietly for a few minutes while in the woods. The animals
will soon return to their busy agendas.
You now have a front row seat on the complexities of animal life in the
forest. Observe, learn, and be amazed. |
|
After a long day, some choose to build a
campfire and become mesmerized by the sparks and dancing flames.
|
|
Numerous, beautiful and colourful flowers
can be found as you walk down the numerous roads, paths,
and nature trails. This is a close-up photo of a Devil's Paintbrush, a
member of the aster family.
|
|
 |
Friendly, neighborhood turkey vulture (one of
4 in the trees, seen as driving down the road). We were on the road,
just 30 ft away from four of these magnificent birds.
The wildlife on Manitoulin Island is fantastic.
Learn about many different species and their habitat. Get close-up and personal to a
turkey vulture. |
|
A Lady slipper finds a place to grow in the
numerous small meadows throughout the property. Due to their beauty, and
the delicate habitat requirements, this plant has become an endangered
species.
On one weekend, my wife and I spotted 6 of these gems on a half hour
walk along the various trails at Black's Bay.
|
|
Each year, a bountiful supply of pine cones
are produced. Red squirrels (endangered) and chipmunks chatter noisily
at each other as to who these cones (and the pine nuts inside) really
belong to.
The forests at Black's Bay are mainly cedar, pine, spruce, fir. birch,
poplar, and tamarack.
|
|
Rabbits and snowshoe hares are constantly
popping up along the wooded paths.
|
|
When these guys take off ... Well, it's as
if they were jackrabbits.
Every evening, the rabbits like to come out onto the still-warm gravel
in the middle of the Concession road; sitting and watching their nearest
neighbour.
|
|
Another small and delicate flower found on
the forest floor. Wood lilies, with their fragrant (almost orchid beauty
and smell), grow by the hundreds at BBay.
|
|
A little bit of sand and blue chalk make for
a great day only a few feet from the main lodge. Kids can't live without
TV and video games in the city.
It's amazing how they suddenly find a world of other activities to
enjoy at BBay.
|
|
For those who have a more venturesome spirit,
there are more trees to climb than boys available for this demanding job.
|
| Original Version:
July 23, 2000 |
