tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41210500963431614272024-03-12T20:04:00.051-04:00Algonquin Inn Nature and Photography blog.This is our nature blog which we hope will enhance your stay or help you decide where to stay when you come to visit Algonquin Park and Muskoka. As we are located at the West gate on Oxtongue Lake. tel:1-800-387-2244 www.algonquininn.com
e-mail stay@algonquininn.comAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-75085588073813509172011-04-21T21:12:00.011-04:002011-04-21T21:36:35.668-04:00bird feeder chaosYesterday was a very ugly day in that it snowed most of the day low temps and freezing rain,net result the feeders were mobed.<br />everything turned up, we went throgh 25lbs of seed !!!!<div>check out the first picture for Fox Sparrows, White-Throated, Chipping, Song, Junco's, Redpolls, Purple Finch, etc,</div><div>looking forward to Spring.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNC344-k2ME/TbDYM8Qy5AI/AAAAAAAAB54/5AveydeYlfo/s1600/_D7Q0012.jpgone" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNC344-k2ME/TbDYM8Qy5AI/AAAAAAAAB54/5AveydeYlfo/s400/_D7Q0012.jpgone" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598212053668127746" /></a><br />x<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpm7ctZIDSk/TbDWmsGPzoI/AAAAAAAAB5s/liL4fKBAgSI/s1600/_D7Q0026.jpgtwo" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpm7ctZIDSk/TbDWmsGPzoI/AAAAAAAAB5s/liL4fKBAgSI/s400/_D7Q0026.jpgtwo" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598210296982261378" /></a><br />x<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGLqgjjtGIA/TbDWeXp5-nI/AAAAAAAAB5k/FkkL8t-c0as/s1600/_D7Q0135.jpgfour" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGLqgjjtGIA/TbDWeXp5-nI/AAAAAAAAB5k/FkkL8t-c0as/s400/_D7Q0135.jpgfour" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598210154055727730" /></a><br />x<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf2GBcs-xm8/TbDWYZ-fZrI/AAAAAAAAB5c/DISpnEjizaE/s1600/_D7Q0090.jpgthree" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf2GBcs-xm8/TbDWYZ-fZrI/AAAAAAAAB5c/DISpnEjizaE/s400/_D7Q0090.jpgthree" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598210051599722162" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a></div><div>E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-85023264912208289932011-04-20T13:06:00.003-04:002011-04-20T13:12:32.619-04:00OPEN WATER ON TWO RIVERSWent into the Park today ,yes in the middle of a snow storm !!!!! looking for Spruce Grouse (note no picture !)<br />for the first time this spring some open water or the start of , the island from highway 60 on Two Rivers Algonquin Park......<br />Spring is coming just taking it's time...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdq4OE1ru9E/Ta8S3cpBPCI/AAAAAAAAB5I/hxJoW86VZWE/s1600/IMG_4041.jpgtworivers" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdq4OE1ru9E/Ta8S3cpBPCI/AAAAAAAAB5I/hxJoW86VZWE/s400/IMG_4041.jpgtworivers" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597713605635161122" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><div>E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-79614863099799307682011-04-18T22:47:00.004-04:002011-04-18T22:55:06.247-04:00Vesper Sparrow O.F.O. field tripA lifer for me a Vesper Sparrow one of those Birds i am sure to have seen but not......it was not until it was pointed out to me that i was able to see the details and record my first, this was taken yesterday on the annual O.F.O. field trip to Algonquin Park,not the best of days in that all of the Lakes are STILL frozen and the wind had gusts of up to 50kms....more details to follow.<div><br />Vesper Sparrow<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz5qSAAjdAQ/Taz3_tL3rVI/AAAAAAAAB48/VyVasl8dXQw/s1600/_MG_3846_1.jpgvesper" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz5qSAAjdAQ/Taz3_tL3rVI/AAAAAAAAB48/VyVasl8dXQw/s400/_MG_3846_1.jpgvesper" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597121110747884882" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-24300690921903763682011-04-15T08:50:00.000-04:002011-04-15T08:52:40.784-04:00Algonquin Park Birding reportMajor melting of snow this week resulted in rivers rising to flood level.<br />However, there is still relatively little open water. Ice-free areas in<br />lakes where rivers and creeks enter are only slowly expanding in size.<br /><br />An Owl Survey during the evening of April 12 from the West Gate to<br />km 18 along Highway 60 produced single Barred Owls at the West<br />Gate and km 2, but no Northern Saw-whet Owls. This was not entirely<br />unexpected since small mammal populations are low following very<br />poor tree seed crops last year.<br /><br /><br />Boreal species reported this week included:<br /><br />Spruce Grouse: Two were seen on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on<br />April 9.<br /><br />Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was on a utility pole<br />at km 8 on Highway 60 on April 8.<br /><br />Boreal Chickadee: One was reported at Spruce<br />Bog Boardwalk on April 9.<br /><br />New arrivals (with the average date in brackets) are shown below.<br />Most are later than normal, as expected in this late spring.<br /><br />April 8: Rough-legged Hawk (March 25)<br />April 9: Winter Wren (April 7)<br />April 10: Belted Kingfisher (April 9)<br />April 10: Northern Flicker (April 8)<br />April 10: Winter Wren (April 7)<br />April 10: Golden-crowned Kinglet (April 3)<br />April 11: Green-winged Teal (April 12)<br />April 11: Eastern Phoebe (April 6)<br />April 11: Purple Finch (April 4)<br />April 13: Common Goldeneye (April 7)<br />April 13: Pied-billed Grebe (April 13)<br />April 14: Northern Pintail (Rare)<br />April 14: Ring-necked Duck (April 8)<br />April 14: Common Loon (April 14)<br />April 14: Belted Kingfisher (April 9)<br /><br /><br />Moose are being seen regularly now at wet areas along Highway60.<br /><br />Please report your sightings for our records.<br /><br />Ron Tozer<br />Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)<br />Dwight, ONAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-35360705738878236622011-04-07T21:35:00.003-04:002011-04-07T21:41:46.473-04:00EASTERN PHOEBEToday a big surprise the first of the flycatchers of spring to arrive here at the <a href="www.algonquininn.com">Inn</a> an Eastern Phoebe, as i understand it they are the first arrive and the last to leave in the Fall.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xm9n0CR_x8/TZ5mhFIisMI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/xC3W5AKk33A/s1600/IMG_3466.jpgeastern1" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xm9n0CR_x8/TZ5mhFIisMI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/xC3W5AKk33A/s400/IMG_3466.jpgeastern1" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593020505740456130" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW. ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COMAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-57055068565921388002011-04-05T22:07:00.004-04:002011-04-05T22:19:32.248-04:00MINK IN ALGONQUIN PARKOn the way back to the Inn through Algonquin Park i saw an Otter jump into a small area of open water at the side of the road , so i jumped out camera at the ready the open water was in in fact a culvert. there was a lot ice in there so the Otter was swimming under ice from one side of the highway to the other, i sat there for an hour trying to out wait him, no luck... however i was reward when a Martin walked out from under the ice on it's snow path into the open and we where both surprised yet managed to get a few quick frames off.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS-QDKWfTns/TZvLE4Iu8rI/AAAAAAAAB4M/_kRsOWpubSA/s1600/IMG_0100.jpgmink" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS-QDKWfTns/TZvLE4Iu8rI/AAAAAAAAB4M/_kRsOWpubSA/s400/IMG_0100.jpgmink" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592286646959534770" /></a><br />x<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdUMZgC8jZg/TZvK7IyeQ0I/AAAAAAAAB4E/am3Hx9-zHww/s1600/IMG_0110.jpgmink2" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdUMZgC8jZg/TZvK7IyeQ0I/AAAAAAAAB4E/am3Hx9-zHww/s400/IMG_0110.jpgmink2" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592286479630877506" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COMAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-38615983277531014462011-04-04T14:09:00.003-04:002011-04-04T14:17:36.928-04:00THERE BACK !!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMYL2-rcmP4/TZoKTYYmS2I/AAAAAAAAB34/kBRPqPWnpm8/s1600/IMG_9718.jpgmoose" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMYL2-rcmP4/TZoKTYYmS2I/AAAAAAAAB34/kBRPqPWnpm8/s400/IMG_9718.jpgmoose" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591793215413308258" /></a><br />THERE BACK !!!! guests of the Inn have been reporting seeing Moose along highway 60 through Algonquin Park. so Anna not having seen a Moose this season set off for the park , and took the picture above to share and provide a clue as to where she saw it.....a young Bull Moose,<div>great start to the new season.<br /><div><a href="WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a></div><div>E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-7408991246396933482011-02-13T19:50:00.007-05:002011-02-13T20:18:14.763-05:00pine martin and boreal chickadeesHad the opportunity to spend this weekend in the Algonquin Park as the Boreal Chickadees continue to feed at the suet feeder on the Spruce Bog Trail, and I wanted to see if I could improve on the photos from my last visit, also hoping to catch a moose out in the open in the snow. On the way in I was able to meet up with Ethan Meleg for the day. Ethan was also after the Boreal Chickadee. As an avid bird photographer he had yet to obtain a quality picture of the bird in twenty years of trying. Well, that all changed as of today.<br />Once we got to the Spruce Bog and set up, in a fairly short period of time we were visited by a lot of bird activity with four Boreal Chickadees, Red and White-breasted Nut Hatches, as well as Blue Jays and Chickadees. To top it all off we were visited by a pine Martin that has taken up residence close to the bird feeder taking advantage of the free bird suet and bird seed.<br /><br />Boreal Chickadee<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgaoyhpFjao/TVh93ar4ZII/AAAAAAAAB3s/8CVX49OrLkI/s1600/_D7Q2986.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HgaoyhpFjao/TVh93ar4ZII/AAAAAAAAB3s/8CVX49OrLkI/s400/_D7Q2986.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573342929880638594" /></a><br />pine martin<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGeOu9E9x18/TVh9xJKU3II/AAAAAAAAB3k/FLMUCKr3iF8/s1600/_D7Q2880.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGeOu9E9x18/TVh9xJKU3II/AAAAAAAAB3k/FLMUCKr3iF8/s400/_D7Q2880.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573342822097280130" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pwJuQf6Jck/TVh9pTC46hI/AAAAAAAAB3c/T3Wws2i7Bk4/s1600/_D7Q2804.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pwJuQf6Jck/TVh9pTC46hI/AAAAAAAAB3c/T3Wws2i7Bk4/s400/_D7Q2804.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573342687311489554" /></a><br />Red-Breasted Nuthatch<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1l5FwJECutA/TVh9kJF3JyI/AAAAAAAAB3U/cwXyaQsOXLg/s1600/_D7Q2741.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1l5FwJECutA/TVh9kJF3JyI/AAAAAAAAB3U/cwXyaQsOXLg/s400/_D7Q2741.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573342598740256546" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL STAY@ALGONQUININN.COMAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-27471075253469772012011-01-27T12:14:00.003-05:002011-01-27T12:46:41.149-05:00Boreal Chickadee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TUGo95hUZwI/AAAAAAAAB28/QGp_0GSVgls/s1600/_D7Q1616.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TUGo95hUZwI/AAAAAAAAB28/QGp_0GSVgls/s400/_D7Q1616.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566916395772700418" /></a>It has been way to long time since my last post on this blog....but things have been very quiet for birding this Winter in Algonquin Park, in fact from what i hear all over southern Ontario.<div>However for landscape photogrhhpy its a Winter wonderland with picture postcard images everywhere,</div><div>One of my Nemesis Birds has been the Boreal Chickadee, being small and dark, with a tendancy to hang back in the shadows of trees i have never been able to get a good clean shot. This Winter the Park staff have placed a suet feeder on the Spruce bog trail which is opposite the park visitors center (handy for warm drinks and food on weekends) located only hundred feet into the trail from the parking lot just before the sign book post on the left high in a tree.</div><div>The suet feeder this year has attracted a single Boreal Chickadee along with some Blue Jays and Black capped Chickadees, i have to wait about two hours to finally get the shot that i wanted . happy at last.....</div><div>The feeders at Algonquin Inn have been very disappointing this winter so far, but everyday we have a about a dozen wild Turkeys that make the rounds, hopefully we will see the return of the Evening Grosbeaks again soon.</div><div>e-mail stay@algonquininn.com</div><div>www.algonquininn.com</div><div><br /></div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-60758589369408801442010-10-28T11:55:00.009-04:002010-10-28T12:34:33.545-04:00GUEST PHOTO AT THE ALGONQUIN INN<div>This last week <a href="http://rickdobson.naturrescapes.net/">Rick Dobson</a> stayed with use for a couple of days at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.algonquininn.com">Algonquin Inn </a>, he stayed with us as his base as he was here for wildlife photography in Algonquin Park.</div><br /><div>Whilst here Rick took advantage of our bird feeders on the grounds and of our blind that we have set up for guests and visitors to use.</div><br /><div>Rick has generously sent me some of his pictures that he had taken at the Inn feeders,</div><br /><div>many thanks Rick for sharing</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmjMNm1pmI/AAAAAAAABfw/EcrIMltqotY/s1600/rick10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533133047407683170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmjMNm1pmI/AAAAAAAABfw/EcrIMltqotY/s400/rick10.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmjAnhxZsI/AAAAAAAABfo/4g41obYthOE/s1600/rick9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533132848207324866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmjAnhxZsI/AAAAAAAABfo/4g41obYthOE/s400/rick9.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiz1IVzVI/AAAAAAAABfg/5EhxIzJbTiA/s1600/rick8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533132628520455506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiz1IVzVI/AAAAAAAABfg/5EhxIzJbTiA/s400/rick8.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmio08xc9I/AAAAAAAABfY/6ioFB8G5q-Y/s1600/rick7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533132439493374930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmio08xc9I/AAAAAAAABfY/6ioFB8G5q-Y/s400/rick7.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmicZCzvaI/AAAAAAAABfQ/ZYqpSe-lS-E/s1600/rick6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533132225844067746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmicZCzvaI/AAAAAAAABfQ/ZYqpSe-lS-E/s400/rick6.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiRGiCrtI/AAAAAAAABfI/0VeGhYfNdrs/s1600/rick5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533132031896235730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiRGiCrtI/AAAAAAAABfI/0VeGhYfNdrs/s400/rick5.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiCf1y9lI/AAAAAAAABfA/U4QIUXYZYls/s1600/rick4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533131780991940178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmiCf1y9lI/AAAAAAAABfA/U4QIUXYZYls/s400/rick4.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmhyA-wTiI/AAAAAAAABe4/j1rxWFriK7Q/s1600/rick3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533131497830108706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmhyA-wTiI/AAAAAAAABe4/j1rxWFriK7Q/s400/rick3.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmhbU96V7I/AAAAAAAABew/aSK4nZsuisw/s1600/rick2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533131108058290098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmhbU96V7I/AAAAAAAABew/aSK4nZsuisw/s400/rick2.jpg" /></a><br />xxx<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmg90_a_RI/AAAAAAAABeo/tVpH1cDZ7V4/s1600/rick1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533130601258482962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMmg90_a_RI/AAAAAAAABeo/tVpH1cDZ7V4/s400/rick1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-91979807998220393732010-10-21T15:57:00.005-04:002010-10-21T16:08:11.805-04:00BLACK BEAR PAYS A VISITJust had to post this one,yesterday i had to run into town Huntsville doing some local chores,<br />when as i past the local Tim Hortons coffee shop i could see three large black blobs high in the trees behind the store,as i pulled in to get a better view , there was a large female and two cubs high up in the tree taking a nap....after spending the night in the dumpsters eating their fill of old donuts...<br /><p>one of the two cubs<br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMCcbsglVfI/AAAAAAAABeI/sfsGajuGzSo/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530592342029194738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMCcbsglVfI/AAAAAAAABeI/sfsGajuGzSo/s400/IMG_0806.JPG" /></a> mum taking a midday nap............<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMCcunPgNEI/AAAAAAAABeQ/UMvPrPT_EFA/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530592667032892482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TMCcunPgNEI/AAAAAAAABeQ/UMvPrPT_EFA/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a></p><p>E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br /></p>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-50756406612628865332010-10-18T07:47:00.005-04:002010-10-18T07:59:03.827-04:00Algonquin Park bird reportThree new Birding reports out today for Algonquin Park today, also of note i did spot yesterday a Red Tailed Hawk and a Snow Bunting first one this year just along from the West Gate.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLw06w2WvYI/AAAAAAAABd8/TmPagEXAhpU/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 378px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529352626654068098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLw06w2WvYI/AAAAAAAABd8/TmPagEXAhpU/s400/IMG_0797.JPG" /></a> Snow Bunting<br /><br />A single Bohemian Waxwing was seen at the top of a tree at the West Gate on<br />Saturday (October 16) by Brete Griffin and his group. Two Bohemian Waxwings<br />were observed by Doug and Ron Tozer on Sunday (October 17) between posts 14<br />and 15 on the Mew Lake extension of the Track and Tower Trail. These two<br />waxwings were feeding on winterberry holly (Ilex) berries, along with<br />several robins. Some of these berries are present along the Two Rivers<br />Campground (now closed) side of the Airfield Marsh and could be a good place<br />to look for other Bohemian Waxwings.<br /><br />Ron Tozer<br />Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)<br /><br />My wife and I spent the day in Algonquin Park, birding at the old airfield and along Mizzy Lake Trail. Activity at the airfield was low, but we did see a single male EVENING GROSBEAK near the parking area. Mizzy Lake Trail had a little more to offer, with about five GRAY JAYS near the gate off of Arowhon Road. Just south of West Rose Lake we had excellent views of a male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, and on the return leg near Wolf Hollow Pond was a nearly tame male PURPLE FINCH which almost ate from our hands, and did actually land on my jacket for a few seconds. As we left, at the gate were two BOREAL CHICKADEES within a group of several BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. A single full-grown bull MOOSE also crossed the Mizzy Lake Trail, sporting a large rack of antlers.<br />pat.<br /><br />Yesterday, October 17th, spent the day birding various sites along Hwy. 60 in Algonquin Park. Overall, somewhat quiet, but a few interesting birds. At Wolf Howl Pond area along Mizzy Lake Trail we had 2 Bohemian Waxwing fly over calling and 1 female Black-backed Woodpecker near West Rose Lake. Finches were scarce, we had 3 Evening Grosbeak and 7 Purple Finch at the Visitor Centre along with distant views of 2 Moose. At the Spruce Bog Boardwalk, 1 Boreal Chickadee was heard calling. Gray Jays were easy to find at Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot, Opeongo Lake Road and Wolf Howl Pond.<br />Good Birding, Bruce<br />Di Labio Birding Website<br />Courses and Field Trips<br /><a href="http://www.dilabiobirding.ca/">http://www.dilabiobirding.ca</a><br /><a href="http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com/">http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-4098493851732968382010-10-15T18:00:00.004-04:002010-10-15T18:23:40.359-04:00OTTERS AT ALGONQUIN INNWe just had an e-mail from James and Lea who stayed with us over the Thanksgiving weekend,<br />they sent us the following e-mail with photo's.<br /><br />Hi Gary.<br /><br />Lea and I had a great Thanksgiving weekend at Algonquin Inn. Perfect weather the whole time. On Monday morning I was down by the dock photographing the morning fog. A group of otters swam towards me then climbed up onto the floating dock to get a look at me. They put on a good show. I managed some photos - I thought I'd share them with you.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLjQr4OSnAI/AAAAAAAABdk/Crv2jX2TNWQ/s1600/otter1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528397994842561538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLjQr4OSnAI/AAAAAAAABdk/Crv2jX2TNWQ/s400/otter1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLjQfGs0oHI/AAAAAAAABdc/KQTwH054FrY/s1600/otter2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528397775390417010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLjQfGs0oHI/AAAAAAAABdc/KQTwH054FrY/s400/otter2.jpg" /></a><br />A great end to the long weekend.<br />Tried out your blind, too, on Saturday. Great setup! Got some good blue jay shots.<br />Hopefully we'll be up again next Thanksgiving.<br />All the best<br />James </div><div>thank you James..............great photo thanks for sharing....these guys make you smile</div><div> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every time</span> :-)))))))</div><div>The docks are just in front of our waterfront rooms,</div><div><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a></div><div>E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a></div>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-3464319805610926622010-10-13T18:21:00.008-04:002010-10-13T18:44:34.093-04:00A re post from ethan melegcopy below is a repost from the blog of <a href="http://ethanmeleg.blogspot.com/">Ethan Meleg.</a> on his recent visit to Algonquin Park and the Algonquin Inn.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYyOESKRBI/AAAAAAAABco/_2_TWV3diEg/s1600/AlgonquinPark_autumn_EMELEG_4733.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527660809893331986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYyOESKRBI/AAAAAAAABco/_2_TWV3diEg/s400/AlgonquinPark_autumn_EMELEG_4733.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Photo 1 (above): Algonquin Park fall colors detail. Canon EOS 5D mark II, Sigma 300/2.8 lens & drop-in polarizer, ISO 200, 1/80s @ f/8; mirror lock-up and cable release.<br /><br />Sorry for the delay in posting, I've been on the road visiting family for Canadian Thanksgiving and had some internet issues... the server would not let me upload photos to blogger. All better now that I am back home and I can share more photos from my recent shoot in Algonquin Park.<br /><br />Sigma Canada (distributed by Gentec International) has recently added me as one of their pro shooters and hooked me up with some great lenses. Check out their brand new website http://www.sigmacanada.ca/ and be sure to click on the Pro Gallery to see me along with fellow Canadian photographers Darwin Wiggett and Crombie McNeil.<br /><br />So far, I've got two Sigma lenses in my bag: the 12-24mm wide-angle zoom and the 300mm f/2.8 telephoto. Actually, let me clarify that.... I accidentally dropped the 12-24mm into Oxtongue River Rapids during my recent fall colors shoot. It completedly submerged for a few minutes before I perilously fished it out and sent it back to see if it can be salvaged... cross your fingers for me! In case you're counting (I am), that's two lenses I've dropped this summer/fall..... damn!<br /><br />A 300/2.8 lens has been on my must-get list for some time, so this is a welcome addition to my system (in good time for my upcoming Africa trip). The Sigma 300/2.8 is razor sharp and has very fast autofocus. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it comes standard with a drop-in polarizer (and the design is better than Canon's drop in filter system). I'll be calling Singh-Ray soon to see if they have an LB warming polarizer that will fit!<br /><br />And now to some photos.....<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYzC5bagpI/AAAAAAAABcw/E0spg59EAao/s1600/AlgonquinPark_Autumn_EMELEG_4609.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527661717512422034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYzC5bagpI/AAAAAAAABcw/E0spg59EAao/s400/AlgonquinPark_Autumn_EMELEG_4609.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 2 (above): Algonquin Park fall colors forest edge. Canon EOS 5D mark II, Sigma 300/2.8 lens & drop-in polarizer, ISO 200, 1/15s @ f/11; mirror lock-up and cable release. I like compressed landscapes with telephoto lenses. This is a classic situation to use a polarizer... to help improve contrast and saturation in the misty conditions. </p><p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYzs5bLVaI/AAAAAAAABc4/3FJzgSqDNII/s1600/AlgonquinPark_autumn_EMELEG_4624.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527662439065933218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLYzs5bLVaI/AAAAAAAABc4/3FJzgSqDNII/s400/AlgonquinPark_autumn_EMELEG_4624.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 3: Algonquin Park fall colors. Canon EOS 5D mark II, Sigma 300/2.8 lens & drop-in polarizer, ISO 400, 1/640s @ f/7.1; mirror lock-up and cable release. Even in very dull, overcast light I was pleased with the rich contrast of this lens.<br /><br />While I was in the Algonquin area, I dropped in to visit my friend Gary Schultz, owner of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">Algonquin Lakeside Inn</a> (just west of the park). The feeders at the Inn were busy with activity so Gary and I caught up while shooting. I highly recommend a trip to stay at the Inn and enjoy the great shooting at the blind/feeders!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY0OIO1P-I/AAAAAAAABdA/XBOfpXGeVig/s1600/AlgonquinInn_EMELEG_1905.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527663009976369122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY0OIO1P-I/AAAAAAAABdA/XBOfpXGeVig/s400/AlgonquinInn_EMELEG_1905.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 4 (above): The photo blind at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">Algonquin Lakeside Inn</a>, with ower Gary Schultz on the right.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY03Sg_TMI/AAAAAAAABdI/FNmVbKvlWqw/s1600/RustyBlackbird_EMELEG_2231.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527663717111516354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY03Sg_TMI/AAAAAAAABdI/FNmVbKvlWqw/s400/RustyBlackbird_EMELEG_2231.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Photo 5 (above): Rusty Blackbird. Canon EOS 1Ds mark III, EF 500mm f/4 lens & 1.4x teleconvertor. ISO 640, 1/125s @ f/5.6. Rusty Blackbird is an elusive and rarely photographed species... this was only my second time photographing them.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY1SCA1btI/AAAAAAAABdQ/c_PFTPdbWqU/s1600/EasternChipmunk_EMELEG_2249.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527664176538152658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TLY1SCA1btI/AAAAAAAABdQ/c_PFTPdbWqU/s400/EasternChipmunk_EMELEG_2249.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 6 (above): Eastern Chipmunk with cheeks full of seeds.Canon EOS 1Ds mark III, EF 500mm f/4 lens & 1.4x teleconvertor. ISO 640, 1/400s @ f/5.6.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a></p>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-68189808275476666912010-10-08T20:22:00.001-04:002010-10-08T20:25:11.830-04:00Algonquin Park Area bird reportSELECTED SITES AND SOME SPECIES REPORTED THIS WEEK:<br /><br />Wolf Howl Pond area on Mizzy Lake Trail (accessible via Arowhon Road at km<br />15.4): Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker (three seen one day), Boreal<br />Chickadee<br /><br />Old Airfield (south from km 30.6): Merlin, Horned Lark, American Pipit,<br />American Tree Sparrow (first of fall on October 3), Rusty Blackbird<br /><br />Spruce Bog Boardwalk (km 42.5): Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray<br />Jay<br /><br />Visitor Centre (km 43): Horned Lark, American Pipit, Purple Finch<br /><br />Opeongo Road: (km 46.3) Spruce Grouse, Gray Jay, Orange-crowned Warbler<br />(October 3)<br /><br /><br />FINCHES:<br /><br />Purple Finch: a few being seen at Visitor Centre feeders and flying over.<br /><br />Pine Siskin: a flock of 25 was at Odenback on Radiant Lake (not accessible<br />by public road) on October 5.<br /><br />Red Crossbill: Very small numbers are being heard calling in flight<br />occasionally, perhaps passing through to areas with a better cone crop.<br /><br />American Goldfinch: a few heard calling in flight.<br /><br />Evening Grosbeak: Six were reported at the feeder of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM">Algonquin Lakeside </a><br />Inn at Oxtongue Lake (on Highway 60 west of Algonquin Park) on October 1,<br />and may still be around.<br /><br /><br />SPARROWS:<br /><br />Despite several searches, there have been no reports to date of Le Conte's<br />Sparrow from the Old Airfield or Nelson's Sparrow from favoured marsh and<br />beaver meadow sites, including the Lake Travers Marsh (end of Barron Canyon<br />Road on the East Side). This is the peak migration period in Algonquin for<br />both of these rarely observed species.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor<br />Centre records.<br /><br />Ron Tozer<br />Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)<br />Dwight, ON<br /><br />Directions:<br />Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60.<br />Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take<br />Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers<br />along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East<br />Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of<br />birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.<br /><br />The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and<br />information. The centre is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm until October 11,<br />and daily from 9 am to 5 pm for the rest of the month.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-10010410200014558442010-10-02T18:16:00.005-04:002010-10-02T18:38:52.229-04:00FALL COLOURS WITH ANDREW COLLETT<a href="http://www.andrewcollett.com/">Andrew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Collett</span></a>, is here today conducting a three day photography Fall colour workshop. Every year <a href="http://www.andrewcollett.com/">Andrew</a> visits Algonquin Park for his workshop. As he states this one of his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">favorite</span> locations to capture the best of the Fall colours in landscapes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.andrewcollett.com/">Andrew</a> will be back with us at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www,algonquininn.com">Algonquin Inn</a> next year again conducting two three day workshops, click on his link for details.<br /><br />I asked A<a href="http://www.andrewcollett.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ndrew</span></a>, 'so how are the colours today?', by way of an answer check out the photo below<br /><br />taken by <a href="http://www.andrewcollett.com/">Andrew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Collett</span></a> today .......you be the judge.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TKexPC7iO_I/AAAAAAAABcY/g2vyx2A5mjo/s1600/AndrewCollett_Fall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523578340035935218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TKexPC7iO_I/AAAAAAAABcY/g2vyx2A5mjo/s400/AndrewCollett_Fall.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">http://www.algonquininn.com/</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-7014310161193647972010-09-26T21:03:00.014-04:002010-09-26T21:29:30.220-04:00RUSTY BLACKBIRDS AND MOREHad a great afternoon out in the yard at the Algonquin inn around the Bird feeders,<br />Ethan Meleg drop in as well, and between us we had a great parade at the feeders.<br />4 Rusty Blackbirds have been here for over a week,and gave us great views as you can see below along with the fall colours which are now peaking.<br />feel free to drop in,<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wZ-Owb1I/AAAAAAAABb8/DNE_chnEYpk/s1600/_MG_9945.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521395997171806034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wZ-Owb1I/AAAAAAAABb8/DNE_chnEYpk/s400/_MG_9945.jpg" /></a><br />Rusty Blackbird<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wLAnL0CI/AAAAAAAABb0/U1Sflkluf5g/s1600/_MG_9898.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521395740113096738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wLAnL0CI/AAAAAAAABb0/U1Sflkluf5g/s400/_MG_9898.jpg" /></a><br />Imature White Crowned Sparrow<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_v2tD-U3I/AAAAAAAABbs/aXqkeeAirGc/s1600/_MG_0296.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521395391267754866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_v2tD-U3I/AAAAAAAABbs/aXqkeeAirGc/s400/_MG_0296.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_voJjYEfI/AAAAAAAABbk/xRHz_CkjvtI/s1600/_MG_0280.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521395141217620466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_voJjYEfI/AAAAAAAABbk/xRHz_CkjvtI/s400/_MG_0280.jpg" /></a><br />White Crowned Sparrow<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_vOgWfmxI/AAAAAAAABbc/gg1pivfAUO8/s1600/_MG_0240.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521394700661005074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_vOgWfmxI/AAAAAAAABbc/gg1pivfAUO8/s400/_MG_0240.jpg" /></a><br />Blue Jay<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_vA8HkDwI/AAAAAAAABbU/X8dEutfr3v8/s1600/_MG_0235.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521394467596406530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_vA8HkDwI/AAAAAAAABbU/X8dEutfr3v8/s400/_MG_0235.jpg" /></a><br />Rusty Blackbird<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uwuBHuPI/AAAAAAAABbM/tVpEWBoT8hQ/s1600/_MG_0176.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521394188933380338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uwuBHuPI/AAAAAAAABbM/tVpEWBoT8hQ/s400/_MG_0176.jpg" /></a><br />Rusty Blackbird<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uajtjSpI/AAAAAAAABbE/o9-b3sOoNwM/s1600/_MG_0156.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521393808209824402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uajtjSpI/AAAAAAAABbE/o9-b3sOoNwM/s400/_MG_0156.jpg" /></a><br />Chipmonk<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uC8Xll3I/AAAAAAAABa8/aiOJTIcMOM4/s1600/_MG_0109.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521393402511726450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_uC8Xll3I/AAAAAAAABa8/aiOJTIcMOM4/s400/_MG_0109.jpg" /></a><br />Red Breasted Nuthatch<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_tvQvLJjI/AAAAAAAABa0/pQXzkbqtLFo/s1600/_MG_0093.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521393064381982258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_tvQvLJjI/AAAAAAAABa0/pQXzkbqtLFo/s400/_MG_0093.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wyIQMr5I/AAAAAAAABcM/UyMOEjMmphE/s1600/_MG_9994.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521396412179066770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJ_wyIQMr5I/AAAAAAAABcM/UyMOEjMmphE/s400/_MG_9994.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-75837829829965860922010-09-24T08:10:00.004-04:002010-09-24T08:22:21.214-04:00FALL COLOUR NEAR PEAKUpdated: Friday September 24, 2010<br />See the detailed fall foliage report below, plus links on how to plan your own visit to Algonquin.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJyWZLNnPbI/AAAAAAAABao/u7C7CyYPf_o/s1600/fall_foliage_3_nearpeak.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520452602500169138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TJyWZLNnPbI/AAAAAAAABao/u7C7CyYPf_o/s400/fall_foliage_3_nearpeak.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div><br />NEAR PEAK <br />Report Details: A growing amount of red, orange and yellow can be observed in the Sugar Maple canopy in Algonquin Park. Fall colours are quickly strengthening with shortening daylight length, recent near freezing night-time temperatures, and the observation of several frosty mornings. The peak fall colour in the Sugar Maple canopy in Algonquin Park is expected in the next 7 to 14 days. During the past 35+ years, the earliest fall colour peak recorded was September 15, 1982, and the latest October 9, 1996. The average peak of the Sugar Maple canopy in the western portion of the Highway 60 Corridor is September 27. Learn more about the history of Algonquin's fall colour peak.<br /><br />At the current time, the best fall colour viewing along the Highway 60 Corridor is from the Park's West Gate (km 0.0) to about the Track and Tower Trail (km 25.0). This high elevation, Sugar Maple dominated area, within the western portion of the Highway 60 Corridor, traditionally changes colour earlier than the eastern portion [for example, the Rock Lake Road (km 40.3), Opeongo Road (km 46.3), Brewer Lake (km 48.6) and the East Gate (km 56)].<br /><br />See the most recent fall colour images on The Friends of Algonquin Park's Facebook page in the Fall 2010 album.<br /><br />Leaf fall continues to remain low, with the exception of White Birch trees which changed colour early as a result of a wide-spread Birch Skeletonizer outbreak. Many visitors have observed the early colour change and leaf fall of the White Birch (Betula papyrifera). The yellow-brown colour observed throughout the Highway 60 Corridor and over wide areas of the Park is likely caused by the Birch Skeletonizer (Bucculatrix canadensisella). The Birch Skeletonizer is native species of moth and is part of a natural cycle of insect outbreaks. This premature leaf fall of White Birch leaves can result in the slower growth for the trees affected but essentially no mortality is observed. The last large outbreak of Birch Skeletonizer in Algonquin Park was in September 2003. <br /><br />Plan now for your trip to Algonquin Park to observe the amazing fall colours. <br /><br />Check back frequently for updates on the progress of Algonquin Park's fall colour changeAlgonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-32174925027178114052010-09-23T17:20:00.003-04:002010-09-23T17:26:01.012-04:00WINTER FINCH FORCAST FOR THIS WINTERWINTER FINCH FORECAST 2010-2011<br /><br />This winter's theme is that some finch species will irrupt into southern<br />Canada and the northern United States, while other species will remain<br />in the north. As an example, Common and Hoary Redpolls will move south<br />whereas Pine Grosbeaks will stay in the north. See individual finch<br />forecasts below for details. Three irruptive non-finch passerines are<br />also discussed.<br /><br />KEY FINCH TREE CROPS<br />Key trees in the boreal forest affecting finch abundance and movements<br />are white and black spruces, white birch, and mountain-ashes. South of<br />the boreal in the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest region, white pine<br />and hemlock are additional key finch trees. Other trees play a lesser<br />role, but often boost or buffer main seed sources. These include<br />tamarack (American larch), balsam fir, white cedar, yellow birch and<br />alders.<br /><br />SPRUCE: White spruce cone crops are very good to excellent across the<br />northern half of the boreal forest in Canada, except Newfoundland where<br />crops are poor. However, spruce crops are much lower in the southern<br />half of the boreal forest and poor in the mixed forest region of central<br />Ontario such as <span style="color:#ff0000;">Algonquin Park</span>. The spruce crop is good to very good in<br />central and northern Quebec, but generally poor in Atlantic Canada and<br />northeastern United States. Spruce cone abundance is very good in the<br />foothills of Alberta and eastern side of the Rocky Mountains in Canada,<br />but poor in the southern half of British Columbia and in Washington<br />State. A bumper white spruce cone crop in southern Yukon attracted high<br />numbers of White-winged Crossbills and Pine Siskins this past summer and<br />they may remain there through the winter. Spruce crops are generally<br />poor in the Atlantic Provinces, New York State and New England States.<br />WHITE PINE: Cone crop is spotty with scattered good to excellent crops<br />across Ontario. White pine crops are low in Atlantic Canada, New York<br />and New England States. HEMLOCK: Cone crop is poor in Ontario and<br />elsewhere in the East. WHITE BIRCH: Crop is poor across the boreal<br />forest of Canada and in central Ontario, but birch crops are much better<br />in southern Ontario south of the Canadian (Precambrian) Shield.<br />MOUNTAIN-ASH: Berry crops are generally excellent across Canada and<br />Alaska, but poor in Newfoundland.<br /><br />INDIVIDUAL FINCH FORECASTS<br />Forecasts apply mainly to Ontario, but neighboring provinces and states<br />may find they apply to them.<br /><br />PINE GROSBEAK: The Pine Grosbeak breeds in moist open habitats across<br />northern Ontario. It is most common in northeastern Ontario which<br />receives more precipitation than northwestern Ontario (Peck and Coady in<br />Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007). Most Pine Grosbeaks should<br />stay in the north this winter because the mountain-ash berry crop is<br />generally excellent across the boreal forest of Canada and Alaska,<br />except for a poor crop in Newfoundland. The feeders at the Visitor<br />Centre in <span style="color:#ff0000;">Algonquin Park</span> usually attract Pine Grosbeaks even in<br />non-flight winters. If Pine Grosbeaks wander into southern Ontario they<br />will find good crops of European mountain-ash berries and ornamental<br />crabapples.<br /><br />PURPLE FINCH: This finch winters in the north when the majority of<br />deciduous and coniferous seed crops are abundant, which is not the case<br />this year. Most Purple Finches will migrate south of Ontario this fall.<br />A few may frequent feeders in southern Ontario. Purple Finch numbers<br />have declined significantly in recent decades due in part to a decrease<br />of spruce budworm outbreaks since the 1980s (Leckie and Cadman in Atlas<br />of Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007).<br /><br />RED CROSSBILL: This crossbill comprises at least 10 "call types" in<br />North America. Each type has its particular cone preferences related to<br />bill size and shape. These crossbill types may be at an early stage of<br />evolving into full species and some may already qualify for species<br />status. They are exceedingly difficult to identify in the field and much<br />remains to be learned about their status and distribution. Types 2 and 3<br />and probably 4 occur regularly in Ontario (Simard in Atlas of Breeding<br />Birds of Ontario 2007). Most Red Crossbill types prefer pines, but the<br />smallest-billed Type 3 (sitkensis subspecies of AOU Check-list 1957)<br />prefers the small soft cones of hemlock in Ontario. It will be absent<br />this winter because hemlock crops are poor. Type 2 may be the most<br />frequently encountered Red Crossbill in the province. Some Type 2s<br />should be found this winter where white pine crops are very good such as<br />northeastern <span style="color:#ff0000;">Algonquin Park</span> and along Highway 69 north of the French<br />River in Sudbury District. Possible this winter are other Red Crossbill<br />types associated with red pine, which has some locally good crops.<br /><br />WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL: High numbers of White-winged Crossbills are<br />currently concentrated in southern Yukon where the white spruce cone<br />crop is bumper. These may remain there this winter. This crossbill's<br />highest breeding abundance in Ontario is in the spruce dominated Hudson<br />Bay Lowlands and adjacent northern Canadian Shield (Coady in Atlas of<br />Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007). Most Ontario reports this past summer<br />came from this area where the white spruce cone crop is heavy. Some were<br />singing and presumably nesting. They might remain in northern Ontario<br />this winter if seed supplies last. Some may disperse southward as spruce<br />seeds run low and could appear in southern Ontario and northern United<br />States. However, they will be rare or absent this winter in traditional<br />areas such as <span style="color:#ff0000;">Algonquin Park</span> where spruce and hemlock cone crops are<br />very poor. Unlike the Red Crossbill, the White-winged Crossbill has no<br />subspecies (monotypic) or call types in North America. Its nomadic<br />wanderings across the boreal forest mix the populations and allow gene<br />flow, which inhibits geographical variation and the formation of<br />subspecies.<br /><br />COMMON REDPOLL: Redpolls should irrupt into southern Canada and the<br />northern United States this winter. The Common Redpoll's breeding range<br />in Ontario is mainly in the Hudson Bay Lowlands from the Manitoba border<br />southeast to southern James Bay (Leckie and Pittaway in Atlas of<br />Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007). Redpolls in winter are a birch seed<br />specialist and movements are linked in part to the size of the birch<br />crop. The white birch crop is poor across much of northern Canada.<br />Another indicator of an upcoming irruption was a good redpoll breeding<br />season in 2010 with double and possibly triple broods reported in<br />Quebec. High breeding success also was reported in Yukon. Samuel Denault<br />of McGill University has shown that redpoll movements at Tadoussac,<br />Quebec, are more related to reproductive success than to tree seed crops<br />in the boreal forest. Redpolls will be attracted to the good birch seed<br />crops on native white birch and European white birch in southern Ontario<br />and to weedy fields. They should be frequent this winter at feeders<br />offering nyger and black oil sunflower seeds. Watch for the larger,<br />darker and browner "Greater" Common Redpolls (rostrata subspecies) in<br />the flocks. It is reliably identified by its larger size and<br />proportionally longer thicker bill and longer tail in direct comparison<br />with "Southern" Common Redpolls (nominate flammea subspecies).<br /><br />HOARY REDPOLL: The breeding population in northern Ontario is the most<br />southerly in the world (Leckie and Pittaway in Atlas of Breeding Birds<br />of Ontario 2007). Careful checking of redpoll flocks should produce a<br />few Hoary Redpolls. There are two subspecies. Most Hoaries seen in<br />southern Canada and northern United States are "Southern" Hoary Redpolls<br />(exilipes subspecies). During the last large redpoll irruption in<br />2007/2008, several "Hornemann's" Hoary Redpolls (nominate hornemanni<br />subspecies) were found and supported by photographs. Hornemann's Redpoll<br />was previously regarded as a great rarity south of the Arctic, but it<br />may be more frequent than formerly believed. Hornemann's is most<br />reliably identified by its much larger size in direct comparison with<br />flammea Common Redpolls or exilipes Hoary Redpoll. Note that white birds<br />loom larger than life among darker birds and size illusions are<br />possible.<br /><br />PINE SISKIN: Similar to the White-winged Crossbill, there are currently<br />high numbers of siskins in southern Yukon attracted to a bumper white<br />spruce cone crop. They could stay in Yukon for the winter. Siskins show<br />a tendency for north-south migration, but are better considered an<br />opportunistic nomad (Pittaway in Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario<br />2007). Banding recoveries show that siskins wander from coast to coast<br />searching for conifer seed crops. They were uncommon this past summer in<br />Ontario and the Northeast. Some might winter in northern Ontario where<br />the white spruce crop is heavy. However, siskins are currently uncommon<br />in the Northeast so there are potentially only very small numbers that<br />could irrupt south in eastern North America.<br /><br />EVENING GROSBEAK: Highest breeding densities in Ontario are found in<br />areas with spruce budworm outbreaks. Current breeding and wintering<br />populations are now much lower than a few decades ago mainly because<br />large spruce budworm outbreaks have subsided since the 1980s (Hoar in<br />Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007). If some come south this<br />winter, they will find large crops of Manitoba maple (boxelder) seeds<br />and plenty of black oil sunflower seeds at feeders waiting for them.<br /><br />THREE MORE IRRUPTIVE PASSERINES<br /><br />BLUE JAY: This will be an average flight year with smaller numbers than<br />in 2009 along the north shorelines of Lakes Ontario and Erie. Beechnut<br />crops are poor to none. Acorn crops are spotty, but considerably better<br />than last year. More Blue Jays will winter in Ontario than last winter<br />due to caches of acorns and other mast crops.<br /><br />RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: This nuthatch is a conifer seed specialist when<br />it winters in the north, thus its movements are triggered by the same<br />crops as the boreal winter finches. The southward movement, which began<br />in the summer, signaled the generally poor cone crops on spruces, balsam<br />fir and white pine in the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest region<br />across Ontario and in Atlantic Canada, New York and New England States.<br />Red-breasted Nuthatches will be very scarce this winter in central<br />Ontario such as <span style="color:#ff0000;">Algonquin Park.</span> White spruce crops are excellent in the<br />northern half of the boreal forest, but it is uncertain how many<br />Red-breasted Nuthatches will winter that far north.<br /><br />BOHEMIAN WAXWING: Most Bohemians Waxwings will stay close to the boreal<br />forest this winter because mountain-ash berry crops are excellent across<br />Canada, except in Newfoundland. Some should wander south to traditional<br />areas of eastern and central Ontario such as Ottawa and Peterborough<br />where planted European mountain-ashes and ornamental crabapples are<br />frequent. If you get the opportunity to visit northern Ontario this<br />winter, you may see Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks feeding<br />together on mountain-ash berries. The grosbeaks eat the seeds and<br />discard the flesh whereas the waxwings swallow the entire berry and<br />sometimes eat the fleshy leftovers of the grosbeaks. The similar<br />coloration of Bohemian Waxwings and female Pine Grosbeaks may be<br />functional, perhaps reducing interspecific aggression when they feed<br />together.<br /><br />WHERE TO SEE FINCHES<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">A winter trip to Algonquin Park</span> is a birding adventure. The park is a<br />three hour drive north of Toronto. Finch numbers will be low in<br />Algonquin forests this winter, but the feeders at the Visitor Centre<br />should attract redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Grosbeaks. Gray Jays<br />frequent the suet feeder and sometimes Pine Martens and Fishers feed on<br />the suet and sunflower seeds. A high observation deck overlooks a<br />spectacular boreal wetland and black spruce/tamarack forest. Eastern<br />Timber Wolves (Canis lycaon), which until recently was a subspecies of<br />the Gray Wolf (C. lupus), are seen occasionally from the observation<br />deck feeding on road-killed Moose put out by park staff. The Visitor<br />Centre and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends in winter.<br />Arrangements can be made to view feeders on weekdays. For information,<br />call the Visitor Centre at 613-637-2828. The Spruce Bog Trail at km 42.5<br />near the Visitor Centre and the gated area north on the Opeongo Road are<br />the best spots for finches, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse<br />and Black-backed Woodpecker.<br /><br />ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I thank staff of the Ontario Ministry of Natural<br />Resources from across the province designated by an asterisk* and many<br />others whose reports allow me to make annual forecasts: Dennis Barry<br />(Durham Region and Washington State), Eleanor Beagan (Prince Edward<br />Island), Ken Corston* (Moosonee), Pascal Cote (Tadoussac Bird<br />Observatory, Quebec), Mark Cranford, Samuel Denault (Monts-Pyramides,<br />Quebec), Bruce Di Labio (Eastern Ontario), Carrolle Eady (Dryden),<br />Cameron Eckert (Yukon), Brian Fox* (South Porcupine), Francois Gagnon<br />(Abitibi, Lac Saint-Jean, Saguenay, Quebec), Marcel Gahbauer (Alberta),<br />Michel Gosselin (Canadian Museum of Nature), David Govatski (New<br />Hampshire), Charity Hendry* (Ontario Tree Seed Plant), Leo Heyens*<br />(Kenora), Tyler Hoar (Central and Northern Ontario), George Holborn*<br />(Thunder Bay), Eric Howe*, Peter Hynard (Minden), Jean Iron<br />(Northeastern Ontario and James Bay), Bob Knudsen (Sault Ste Marie,<br />Ontario), Bruce Mactavish (Newfoundland), David McCorquodale (Cape<br />Breton Island), Erwin Meissner (Massey), Andree Morneault* (North Bay to<br />Renfrew County), Brian Naylor* (North Bay to Renfrew County), Martyn<br />Obbard*, Stephen O'Donnell (Parry Sound District), Fred Pinto* (North<br />Bay to Renfrew County), Dean Phoenix*, Rick Salmon* (Lake Nipigon),<br />Harvey and Brenda Schmidt (Creighton, Saskatchewan), Don Sutherland*<br />(Northern Ontario), Ron Tozer (Algonquin Park), Declan Troy (Alaska),<br />Gert Trudel (Gowganda), Mike Turner* (Haliburton Highlands), John<br />Woodcock (Thunder Cape Bird Observatory), Alan Wormington, and Matt<br />Young of Cornell University, who provided detailed information about<br />seed crops in New York and other eastern states. Jean Iron and Michel<br />Gosselin made many helpful comments and proofed the forecast.<br /><br />LITERATURE CITED: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2007 by editors<br />M.D. Cadman, D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. Lepage and A.R. Couturier.<br />http://www.birdsontario.org/atlas/index.jsp<br /><br />Ron Pittaway<br />Ontario Field Ornithologists<br />Minden, Ontario<br />23 September 2010Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-80119926852124225852010-09-14T17:40:00.004-04:002010-09-14T20:44:21.530-04:00LOON PHOTOGRAPHYthe last of this year's Loon photography workshops has just wrapped up, "Loons in the mist"<br /><br />we have had great reviews and feedback on the workshops which are conducted by local professional guide and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">photographer</span> Michael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Burtelsen</span>.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TI_tuvssvwI/AAAAAAAABac/GWryNke3u8E/s1600/masterDSC_1414-loon-chick-on-back.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516889455885860610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TI_tuvssvwI/AAAAAAAABac/GWryNke3u8E/s400/masterDSC_1414-loon-chick-on-back.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Micheal puts a lot work into to his workshops making sure everyone goes home with a "keeper" photo,what also really helps to the success is his local knowledge of the Lakes and his custom set up on his 19' boat with four captain chairs to ensure stability and comfort,and an electric trawling motor so as not to disturb the wildlife,check out his up and coming Moose workshops. </p><p>all of the details can be found on our web site</p><p><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">www.algonquininn.com</a></p><p>e-mail <a href="mailto:stay@algonquininn.com">stay@algonquininn.com</a></p><p> </p>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-10540403004826962172010-09-03T07:22:00.002-04:002010-09-03T07:26:40.085-04:00WARBLER MIGRATION IN FUL SWING ALGONQUIN PARKHere in Algonquin Park, warbler migration is in full swing. Yesterday (Sept<br />1st), birding along the railway bed at the Mizzy Lake Trail was phenomenal.<br />The birds were mainly concentrated about 200 m past the locked gate on the<br />railway bed. The flock was enormous. I came up with 17 species, with many<br />individuals.<br /><br />75+ BLACKBURNIAN<br />50+ NASHVILLE<br />30+ BLACK-THROATED GREEN<br />30+ YELLOW-RUMPED<br /><br />Also handfuls of the following -<br /><br />BAY-BREASTED<br />BLACK-THROATED BLUE<br />AMERICAN REDSTART<br />MAGNOLIA<br />BLACK-AND-WHITE<br />COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Many still on territory)<br /><br />and singles of the following -<br /><br />CAPE MAY<br />TENNESSEE<br />OVENBIRD<br />ORANGE-CROWNED (Early)<br />BLACKPOLL (Rare for Park)<br /><br />CONNECTICUT - One of the few park records - was associating with the<br />abundant Nashvilles. A juvenile, with the brown hood barely contrasting with<br />the olive body and yellow belly. Very brief, but excellent look!<br /><br />Also present were a male SPRUCE GROUSE, a pair of GRAY JAYS, and about a<br />half-dozen BOREAL CHICKADEES to spice things up.<br /><br />This morning Justin Peter and myself birded the railway bed, and though the<br />numbers were down, most of the common species were observed, as well as many<br />BOREAL CHICKADEES!<br /><br />'Tis the season, folks, so come on up here and enjoy the birds!<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60.<br />Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take<br />Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park.<br /><br />The Old Airfield is located along the Mew Lake Campground access road, park at<br />a small parking lot on the left at the beginning of the Old Railway Bike Trail<br />and walk around the airfield.<br /><br />The Wolf Howl Pond & West Rose Lake area can be accessed by driving 4.8km up<br />Arowhon Rd and then turning right onto an abandoned railway and follow 0.6km to<br />chain gate, park well to the side and walk in 1.5km to Wolf Howl and another<br />1km to West Rose.<br /><br />Good Birding!<br />Lev Frid<br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-47575109502818954452010-08-25T07:43:00.003-04:002010-08-25T08:06:30.235-04:00GREAT GRAY OWLS ALGONQUIN PARK<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/THUEqBx0RDI/AAAAAAAABaQ/50_HCMd2TQM/s1600/greatgray"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/THUEqBx0RDI/AAAAAAAABaQ/50_HCMd2TQM/s400/greatgray" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509314839236068402" /></a><br /> Had another opportunity to head on back into <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/">Algonquin Park</a> with some Birders and Photographer friends to see if we could re find the Great Gray Owls we had seen feeding before.<br />We were able to locate them but they kept to the thickest part of the wooded bog area,none of my shots are worth showing here, especially after seeing one of <a href="http://www.stevenrosephotography.com/">STEVE ROSE'S </a>shots Steve just happened to be at the right place at the right time, this is his photo.<br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-32676764859343261602010-08-15T19:50:00.005-04:002010-08-15T20:18:19.210-04:00GREAT GRAY OWLS IN ALGONQUIN PARKMy last post was about Great Gray Owls being sighted on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mizzy</span> Lake trail in<br />Algonquin Park,well the good news is that Michael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bertelson</span> was able to locate them again, Michael a professional guide conducts photographic tour groups from Algonquin Inn into Algonquin Park, check out our web site for more details on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Michael's</span> tours for Loons and Moose.<br />the Great Grays where located way back into the bush but Michael was able to get this great shot of the not so small chick that had just been fed by the adult.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TGh9v5JV1oI/AAAAAAAABYU/pr-sG3T9Iyg/s1600/masterDSC_4417-great-grey--breakfast-web.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505788806207755906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TGh9v5JV1oI/AAAAAAAABYU/pr-sG3T9Iyg/s400/masterDSC_4417-great-grey--breakfast-web.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">http://WWW.ALGONQUININN.COM</a><br />E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-40786597681864930782010-07-21T07:42:00.001-04:002010-07-21T07:44:24.281-04:00ALGONQUIN PARK & GREAT GRAY OWLSA Great Gray Owl was observed and photographed in the<br />Dizzy Lake area (near post 12) of Mizzy Lake Trail on<br />18 and 19 July. This may be the same individual that was<br />seen in that area on 13 June. A small population of this<br />boreal species is believed to breed regularly within<br />Algonquin Park.<br /><br />The Dizzy Lake area is most easily accessed by going<br />backwards on the Mizzy Lake Trail from its beginning<br />at the junction of Arowhon Road and Highway 60 at<br />km 15.4. There is a map of the trail in the trail guide,<br />available at the trail entrance.<br /><br />We would appreciate receiving your Algonquin Park<br />bird observations for our Visitor Centre records.<br /><br />Ron Tozer<br />Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121050096343161427.post-68974461346917494402010-06-23T22:13:00.010-04:002010-06-23T22:50:41.317-04:00ETHAN MELEG VISIT REVIEWWe just had Ethan Meleg stay with us for a few days whilst visiting Algonquin Park, Ethan is not only an excellent photographer but also an outstanding birder.<br />Ethan has stayed with us many times and has help us to better set up our birding stations so as to get the best backgrounds and perches for photography but also for attracting the most species into to our yards,from this all visitors can benefit.<br />Ethan has posted to his blogg his visit to the Algonquin inn and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.algonquinpark.on.ca">Algonquin Park</a>,which is re posted here.......<br />FROM HIS BLOG which by the way is a great one to follow the link is <a href="http://ethanmeleg.blogspot.com/">http://ethanmeleg.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I'm back from a week on the road including a few days of shooting in the Algonquin Provincial Park area. It was a productive trip with some fantastic photo opportunities! Hope these look ok, I'm processing them in a weary-eyed state.<br /><br />A highlight of the trip was an unusually tame moose, which walked right up to me within a meter (I was safely tucked in behind my van). At one point, I was able to lie down on the ground to shoot low level perspectives with a group of people standing behind it. What amazed me the most, however, was how foolish some people were - walking right up to it with their point & shoot cameras. The moose wasn't acting aggressively, but passing cars could easily have spooked it causing it to plough into (through? over?) the tourists. Getting run over by a moose can't be good for you. Rest assured that I would have captured the exclusive photos of 'natural selection' in progress!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLAmD8QKBI/AAAAAAAABXM/np3CAD22Cuw/s1600/Moose_Algonquin_EMELEG_8486.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486159056216270866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLAmD8QKBI/AAAAAAAABXM/np3CAD22Cuw/s400/Moose_Algonquin_EMELEG_8486.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 1 (above): Young moose and onlookers along Highway 60 in Algonquin Park.<br />EOS 1Ds mark III; EF 70-200/4 lens; handheld<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLBMDycEiI/AAAAAAAABXU/nBPX-bHXD8U/s1600/AlgonquinPark_Hwy60_EMEELG_9264.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486159709010137634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLBMDycEiI/AAAAAAAABXU/nBPX-bHXD8U/s400/AlgonquinPark_Hwy60_EMEELG_9264.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 2 (above): Highway 60 through Algonquin Provincial Park<br />EOS 5D mark II; EF 70-200/4 lens; Singh-Ray LB Warming polarizer & 2 stop hard edge ND grad<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLCBY758dI/AAAAAAAABXk/QJBeaIynVXg/s1600/AlgonquinPark_EMELEG_9384.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486160625220055506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLCBY758dI/AAAAAAAABXk/QJBeaIynVXg/s400/AlgonquinPark_EMELEG_9384.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 3 (above): Sunset clouds over Lake of Two Rivers with Oxeye Dasies in foreground.<br />EOS 5D mark II; EF 17-40mm lens; Singh-Ray LB Warming Polarizer & 3 stop hard edge ND grad<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLCqGJ_n0I/AAAAAAAABXs/WNywk0Hc11s/s1600/CommonLoon_EMELEG_8551.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486161324553510722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLCqGJ_n0I/AAAAAAAABXs/WNywk0Hc11s/s400/CommonLoon_EMELEG_8551.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 4 (above): Common Loon portrait (photographed from a canoe).<br />EOS 1Ds mark III; 500/4 IS lens & 1.4x TC; Gitzo tripod & Wimberly head sitting on canoe bottom.<br /><br />For my travels in the Algonquin Park front country, I base out of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.algonquininn.com">Algonquin Lakeside Inn </a>motel just west of the park along Highway 60 at Oxtongue Lake. It's the most convenient place to stay with comfortable amenities and great access to the park. Over the years I've gotten to know the owner Gary Schultz, who is a budding (and pretty damn good) nature photography. The Inn's property is a magnet for birds, so last fall I suggested that Gary put up a photo blind and some strategically located feeders with perches. He's done a fantastic job setting up the yard for bird photography and attracting various bird species throughout the seasons. I shot Purple Finches this week - it's the best shooting I've ever had for them... unfortunately I accidentally erased my best shots because of lack-of-sleep induced stupidity. I'll be back soon to reshoot them!<br /><br />Here's the best part... stay at the Inn and you have free use of the photo blind. Gary is very obliging and you can fine-tune the perches to your needs. Don't miss out on this - it's a great bird setup with tons of activity!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLDF2rfMEI/AAAAAAAABX0/VrWjdh1vHmk/s1600/PurpleFinch_EMELEG_8095.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486161801435361346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLDF2rfMEI/AAAAAAAABX0/VrWjdh1vHmk/s400/PurpleFinch_EMELEG_8095.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 5 (above): Male Purple Finch at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.algonquininn.com">Algonquin Lakeside Inn</a> feeders.<br />EOS 1Ds mark III; 500/4IS lens & 1.4x TC </p><p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLDhOjXnfI/AAAAAAAABX8/UaqbFOrgwPk/s1600/PhotoBlind_Algonquin-Inn_EMELEG_0940.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486162271700229618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KGi6kyDk5yo/TCLDhOjXnfI/AAAAAAAABX8/UaqbFOrgwPk/s400/PhotoBlind_Algonquin-Inn_EMELEG_0940.jpg" /></a><br />Photo 6 (above): The blind and one of the feeder setups at the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.algonquininn.com">Algonquin Lakeside Inn.</a><br />Shot with a Canon G11, which I keep handy to capture the behind-the-scenes photos. </p><p>a great post thanks Ethan </p><p><a href="http://www.algonquininn.com/">http://www.algonquininn.com/</a></p><p>E-MAIL <a href="mailto:STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM">STAY@ALGONQUININN.COM</a></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Algonquin Lakeside Innhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01779956394272540411noreply@blogger.com1