Algonquin Provincial Park, 14 August, 2024

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."

John Muir

 Spring Lakes Resort, Dwight, ON

     It was a beautiful August morning and the day greeted us kindly.

     We had brought milk, cereal and fruit with us, so we made coffee and ate breakfast in our room.

     There were a number of birds on the lawns and in the surrounding trees. Unfortunately the bird feeders were empty; otherwise there would have been more activity.

     Nothing could detract from the stillness and calm of another day in this Ontario paradise.

     A Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) probed the lawn for ants and other arthropods.

     A handsome, wine-dipped male Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) looked down from on high.

     Some hardy souls had gone for an early morning swim.

     A Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) moved back and forth from the trees to the bird feeders, as though expecting that they would miraculously deliver food.

     From time to time one sees Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) with denuded heads.

     As far as I can tell, this condition does not seem to affect them adversely, and I assume the feathers grow back in. I have never been able to conclusively determine what causes this abnormality.

Oxtongue River, Ragged Falls

     It had been many years since I had visited this scenic area, and never with Miriam, so its siren song drew us in.

     It's a bit of a steep climb to the top, but well worth it.

     The term "falls" might be a tad hyperbolic, perhaps the inflated rhetoric of an early tourist entrepreneur, but it is quite lovely, nevertheless. I sometimes think that living so close to Niagara Falls leads us to the delusional conclusion that anything less is a mere cataract or whitewater rapid.

     Here it is at its frothing, foaming, fearsome, seething best!

     Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) has seen it all before, and witnessed the tread of a thousand feet, has seen portages around the rapids, canoes on strong shoulders, backpacks laden, the spirit of adventure soaring - and will see it all again.

     This trail was marked by an abundance of fungi - much of which I was unable to identify. 

     My knowledge of things mycological is sparing at best.

     Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana) is not quite so difficult.

     I think this one is Hygrocybe parvula, but don't bet the farm on it!

Tea Lake Dam

     This was a pleasant short stroll, but we never did see a dam! However, we were able to sit and enjoy the surroundings and eat a boiled egg we had brought from home.

     We did see our only Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) of the trip here. 

     This is a female and one might expect that she would have young in tow at this time of year, but she was alone.

Hardwood Lookout Trail

     As the name implies, this trail is dominated by hardwood trees, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) being the most numerous.

     Once again there were fungi that begged identification.

     This caterpillar of the Fall Webworm Moth (Hyphantria cunea) is a handsome little beastie.

     The cheerful, repetitive song of Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo oliavceus) was a constant, and occasionally we spotted the chorister.

Visitor Centre

     We made a stop at the Visitor Centre to use the washrooms and get a coffee.

     It's worthwhile stopping by if only to enjoy the magnificent panorama of the Algonquin highlands.

     It will surprise no one that I bought a couple of books; happily the profits go to the park, and the bookstore is staffed by volunteers from the Friends of Algonquin, so everyone gains from the transaction.

Spruce Bog Boardwalk

     Over the many years that I have been visiting Algonquin Provincial Park, I think that the Spruce Bog Boardwalk is my favourite trail, and the one where I have seen the greatest diversity of organisms, from grouse to moose, from sphagnum moss to chickadees and woodpeckers.

     

     It is a magical place.

     As I look out over this rich northern landscape, I am reminded that, while appreciating the scientific nomenclature of the diverse array of species, and delighting in the science - and understanding that there is a rare beauty in that discipline - yet there is more. It is the greater whole that is most important and not the minutiae of the component parts. Why do asters and goldenrods grow together in perfect harmony asks Robin Wall Kimmerer in her book for the ages, Braiding Sweetgrass. There is harmony to all of this and it invokes a deep sense of spirituality to those who care to take it in; not the pseudo metaphysical mumbo jumbo of organized religion, but the visceral response of those who view themselves as part of nature, as a fellow traveller on this Earth; no more significant than the lowliest blade of grass. In humility and love I accept this premise and know it to be true.

     We were elated to encounter an American White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis), a splendidly handsome species, with bold markings and strong flight.

     Here is one at rest.

      Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) is an upright deciduous shrub, the only extant species in the genus Comptonia.

     A Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is fortunate to occupy a sunny spot in the forest and seems to be thriving.

     Bog Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) is typical of northern bogs and is used to make an herbal tea.

     Red Peatmoss (Sphagnum rubellum) is similarly representative of bog ecosystems.

     Wild Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) was used extensively by indigenous people as a food flavouring, and as a medicine to treat colds.

     Tawny Cotton Grass (Eriophorum virginicum) is very pleasing to the eye as it nods gently in the breeze.

     For some reason insects were surprisingly absent, so it was with special pleasure we saw this Black-shouldered Drone Fly (Eristalis dimidiata).

     As recently as 12,000 - 15,000 years ago Ontario was covered in ice a kilometre and a half thick. These boulders were deposited as the climate warmed and the ice retreated.

     Won't you join me in appreciating the splendour of the bog?

     American White Waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) seems more beautiful every time I see it.

     Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) is familiar to all.

     There is no more stirring sight in the northern woods than majestic Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera).

     Its bark is essential winter food for Moose (Alces alces) and was used by native people in myriad different ways.

     Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) is a favourite with gardeners, especially those creating pollinator gardens; here it is growing wild.

Lunch Break

     It was time for a late lunch so we found a secluded little area where we were joined in short order by an Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) who alternately disappeared down his hole or looked at us wistfully hoping to share.

     Now I know all those admonitions about not feeding the wildlife, but if a whole grain cracker happened to spring unbidden from my hand in the general direction of the chipmunk, what am I supposed to do?

     And what possible harm could an apple core do?

     I know that this Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) approved without reservation.

Two Rivers Trail

     This is going to be a fungus-heavy account, so be forewarned; they were abundant!

     Here is a Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum); I expect everyone would recognize this one, and many have probably enjoyed it sautéed in butter and garlic.

     I know I have.

     A Northern Dusky Slug (Arion fuscus) was enjoying a fine feast on Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum).

     Orange Jelly Spot (Dacrymyces chrysospermus) was seen here and there.

    How do you like this Orange-gilled Waxcap (Humidicutis marginata)?

     It looks as though it has been cut into as though it were a slice of pie.

     Here is another species of waxcap in the genus Hygrocybe.

     This little beauty is nestled in the genus Gloioxanthomyces; full marks if you can pronounce it on the first try!

     Many of you will be familiar with Amanita Mushrooms (genus Amanita); they are commonly seen on a  fall walk through the woods.

     They are an ecologically important group. Many are edible and highly prized; others, however contain deadly toxins. Amatoxins, even in minute doses, can cause permanent damage to vital organs, especially the kidneys and liver. Death is not uncommon.

     Bearing this in mind, even the most knowledgeable forager is wise to leave them alone. 

     Fungi in general challenge the identification skills of the casual observer (of which I am one), and some species are perplexing even for well-trained mycologists. 

     The following two pictures are species that I have been woefully unable to identify.

     This one, however, I believe is a Shining Waxcap (Gloioxanthomyces nitidus).

     Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata) is primarily a nocturnal moth, but during the long hours of daylight in the north, it emerges during the day.

     I suspect that this individual was roosting and we inadvertently disturbed it.

     Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera tesselata) is a common orchid in eastern North America.

     It's not hard to understand why Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) was so named.

     It actually takes on this brilliant red or orange only when diseased.

     Interrupted Clubmoss (Spinulum annotinum) is widespread and common, and is alleged to have medicinal qualities.

     Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) was present in suitable areas of the woodland.

     Prickly Tree-Clubmoss (Dendrolycopodium dendroideum) resembles a miniature tree and the leaves on the lower part of the upright stem are indeed prickly.

     Harvestmen (subfamily Leiobuninae) are appealing, interesting arachnids.

     I am unable to narrow this one down to species.

     A splendid and beautiful rugged trail, don't you think?

     Don't trip over those roots!

     Here are Forkmosses (genus Dicranum).

     Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) was treasured and widely used by First Nations people.

     Its berries are edible with a taste of mildly sweet wintergreen. The leaves and branches make a fine herbal tea. Furthermore, the berries and leaves contain methyll salicylate, a compound related to aspirin.

     The trail was steep in places and at times resembled an obstacle course.

     These mushrooms are members of a group known as Pinwheels and Parachute Mushrooms (genus Marasmius).

     They are sometimes referred to as "resurrection fungi." They dry, shrivel up and remain dormant for extended periods until revitalized by rain when they flesh out and resume spore production.

     Isn't nature wonderful?

     This Short-horned Grasshopper (family Acrididae) would certainly agree!

Canoe Lake

     Canoe Lake is the most commercial part of Algonquin Provincial Park with a store, boat and canoe rentals, extensive docking facilities, etc.

     It is often thronged with people and parking is sometimes hard to find.

     We went there primarily as a form of homage to Tom Thomson, a member of the Group of Seven, the most heralded and iconic of Canadian painters, who lost his life on the lake.

     The exact circumstances of his death remain a mystery to this day - and probably always will.

    Nothing diminishes the magnificence of his work, however.

     We were hot and dusty from our exertions on the trails all day, and there was ice cream for sale.

     I could count on one hand the number of times we have bought ice cream, but today was one of those days.

      It seemed like the right thing to do!