2nd Annual Migration Adventure: Day 4

Our final day on our Migration Adventure was taking us to Pelee Island. This was a first for me, as I have never been to the island before. We got up early to catch the Ferry, the Jiimaan, which was docked very close by. We made our way there and got our tickets and patiently waited for the call to board. This didn't seem to take too long as the horn sounded and we made our way to board. I was surprised to see all the heavy equipment that was boarding. This ferry must be able to take a lot of weight.

The Jiimaan Ferry out of Kingsville Ontario.

With a little help from the crew we were able to find our way to the outside seating area. Earlier in the day we were warned that it was going to be really cool, but it was fine. I sat outside because I didn't want to miss anything. As we were waiting to depart there were several Turkeys Vultures gathering on a mount of dirt beside the ferry terminal asking to be photographed, so I obliged.

Turkey Vultures seeing off the ferry.

Once we left, we had Gulls following us. Maybe they had us confused with a fishing boat, because they followed us for the whole one and a half hour trip. I was sitting there enjoying the fresh air and the scenery when all of a sudden I spotted an American White Pelican. According to Merlin, they aren't supposed to be around there. I was on the wrong side of the ferry to get a good shot, because it was a little far away by the time I saw it. It was turning out to be a great weekend to see birds you normally wouldn't see.

Gull following the Ferry.

Cropped photo of an American White Pelican on the way to Pelee Island.

As we arrived at the island, first thing I noticed were all the Cormorants sitting on the rocks just off shore. Next thing was the really cool looking buildings. I couldn't wait to get off the boat for pictures, so I took some pictures before we were docked. It was a great angle as well.

Double-crested Cormorants with some American White Pelicans mixed in.

We decided not to take the car over, because we heard we could rent bikes on the island. First thing we did was go to the Visitor Centre and ask for some advice on where to go to get some good photographs. The answer we got was Fish Point. So that's where we were going to go. But first we stopped for lunch at the Westview Tavern before we continued with our adventure. It was a really good lunch, and a great way to start the adventure.

First building we saw as we were arriving on Pelee Island.

We decided to rent the bikes, and the Comfortech Bicycle Rentals was just down the street. We walked down the street and rented the bikes to bike down to Fish Point. Since I had my camera gear with me, we rented 3 wheelers because they had a basket to carry my gear. This was a first for me riding a large 3 wheel bike. It was either the bike or myself, but it kept wanting to turn right. Sure took some getting used to. It sure made the ride rather interesting.

Double-crested Cormorants hanging out just off the Island.

I had to stop suddenly because there was a Green Frog on the road. That matched the total of Frogs I saw the day before. I also had to stop and take pictures of the Cormorants on the rocks from a different angle.

Juvenile Bald Eagle on Pelee Island.

We got to Fish Point and realized we didn't have enough time to do the whole trail as we needed time to get back with a safe cushion of time. The Ferry was only departing one more time that day. So we walked for a bit and found a little lookout area. I walked down the lookout area, and I could hear lots of birds sing their songs. Looking to the right, I couldn't see anything within camera range. It sure was beautiful scenery though.

The Bald Eagle photo shoot was over.

Before I even turned around to look to the left, Shannon told me to turn around to look. In the trees which didn't have no leaves (the absolute best kind of trees for bird photography), there were two large birds. They were in separate trees at a bit of a different height and the sane sized birds. They were both Juvenile Bald Eagles looking proud as could be. One was facing me, and one was facing the other direction. I was able to get pictures of both, and also took a short shaky video.

I believe this an Orange Sulphur.

I tried to get closer to them by going back down the trail, then off the path towards them. But I was having difficulty figuring out which trees they were in, as there was lots of trees in the way. Unfortunately I didn't get the other angle, and when I returned to the lookout, they were making their way out of the trees and continuing their journey. I snapped a couple more shots as they flew away.

Monarch Butterfly on Pelee Island.

Looking at the time, it was time to head back. Time went so quick. It felt like we just got there, and we had to head back. So back to the head of the trail we went, and hopped on the bikes for the ride back. The ride back was a little easier, than I thought it was going to be. After some electric bikes flew by us, I thought maybe we rented the wrong bikes. But it was still an enjoyable ride.

We dropped the bikes off then thought we would reward ourselves with some ice cream, but unfortunately the ice cream place was closed. So we got a nice cold bottle of water from the bike rental place and say on a bench and enjoyed the scenery as we waited for the ferry.

Lots of amazing things to see in this Province and Country. Proud to be Canadian.

It was finally time to head home. It was sad that the adventure was over, but it was also nice to be going home. It was a fantastic extended weekend. We fit in a lot of great places. All places I would love to spend more time at. Perhaps another time. And a fantastic weekend for birds. And not only birds, just nature in general. I am really looking forward to next year to see new places, new birds and new critters. Also the people. It's great talking to people that are there for the same reasons you are.

That's it until our next photography adventure.

Till next time,

2nd Annual Migration Adventure: Day 3

We were up early again in the morning, and our plan for the day was to go to Point Pelee. In true Canadian fashion, our first stop was at Tim Horton's for a coffee, then on the road again. The drive isn't very long, even with an unnecessary stop. Sometimes the GPS can take you on its own adventure. We got to the park in good time and proceeded with our next adventure.

Great Blue Heron in flight along the water at our first stop.

Our first stop was the short boardwalk lookout area not far into the park. I pulled over in the small pull over area and got my camera gear out and was on my way out to see what I could see. It was a good area last year for photographs so I was hoping for good things. On my way out there were a couple people walking in. I asked what there was out there to see and the gentleman told me there were no birds out there. I didn't let this deter me, and continued on. Either those people had really bad timing, or they weren't paying attention to their surroundings. Within 10 to 15 minutes, I saw a few Bald Eagles, Some Great Blue Herons, Great Egret, some Turkey Vultures, and some Broad-wing Hawks. The best part was that the Bald Eagles were within the first 30 seconds. It was a fantastic start to our day.

Juvenile Bald Eagle passing over.

After several photographs here, we continued on and made our way to the boardwalk. This is a fantastic walk through a wetland area. Last year a Bald Eagle passed over while we were there. Other things to see here are turtles, and frogs and other wetland creatures. There is also a lookout tower there that I wanted to go up and have a look and hopefully get some photographs. But unfortunately it wasn't meant to be as it was fenced off due to some construction. According to the Point Pelee website, the construction is suppose to be finished in March, 2019.

Canada Darner Dragonfly.

The boardwalk was open so we continued on. Last year we saw a few variety of frogs on this walk, but this year I was only able to find one frog. I thought this was very strange, but it was a very warm day, so perhaps it was too warm for them. I got some photographs of this one lonely little frog and went to look for more. I wasn't seeing anything. No frogs, and no turtles. Others were asking if we were seeing anything because they weren't. But unfortunately we weren't either.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) soaking in the sunshine.

We continued around the boardwalk which normally goes in a large circle. We got three quarters of the way around, and the boardwalk was closed due to the same construction that prevented us from getting to the tower, so back we went. Only thing I was seeing was dragonflies so I was doing my best to get pictures of them. I think Dragonflies are cool, but I was expecting more. Then just as we were getting close to the end of the boardwalk I finally spotted a Turtle. It was a Painted Turtle. Then I spotted another. And a couple more. There were four Turtles and they looked like they were playing tag or something. So of course I got some pictures. It took a while but we finally saw some wildlife in the wetlands.

Finally found a Painted Turtle along the boardwalk in Point Pelee.

Next stop was the point. We drove down to the Visitor's Centre to catch the shuttle to the tip. We timed this perfectly as the shuttle was just getting ready to leave. We hopped on the shuttle and took the leisurely drive while enjoying the scenery. We got to the tip and got off the shuttle and walked the rest of the way down the trail. I took some photographs of some Terns as we went. I was hoping to get some shots of one with a fish, but no luck this time. When we got to the tip, I was surprised how different it looked from the year before. I was able to get some pictures which wasn't easy with the amount of people that were there.

Common Tern down along the tip of Point Pelee.

The most southern point of mainland Canada. The tip of Point Pelee.

We decided to head back. When we got to the shuttle stop, there was a Gentleman playing an absolutely beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace on a Harmonica. I took his picture, but I really should have taken a video so everyone could have heard what I heard. As we waited for the shuttle several Broad-winged Hawks flew over. It was a nice surprise to get some more pictures before the shuttle arrived.

The tip of Point Pelee is south of the 42 Parallel.

We made our way to the car, and decided it was time to call it a day for the bird watching again. We found out that after September 4th, the Ferry goes out of Kingsville, so we decided to look for a room there. The night before I had a beer from The Grove Brew House which was in Kingsville. So I decided I will drive there and see what else they have. When I did a search to find an address, I found out there was also a Hotel there. Since we didn't have a place to stay yet, I decided to look and see if they have anything available.

Gentleman playing a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace on his harmonica.

One of the Broad-winged Hawks that flew over while we waited for the shuttle.

It was a nice drive and not very far. When we arrived I was very impressed with the outside of the building. And when I went in, I was even more impressed with how it looked. The two rooms that were available were Ghost Rooms. According to their beer, George The Ghost Hefeweizen, George the sea Captain has been haunting the Grove Hotel since the 1800s. These rooms are also themed. All their rooms are themed. I chose a room on the theme, not the ghost. And I didn't see George while I was there. It is a great place and I will certainly go back. Needless to say, this is another place I recommend.

Juvenile Bald Eagle at Point Pelee.

We checked in then went for supper at the Brew House, which is connected. The food was good and so was the beer. They had a Watermelon Beer so I had to try it. If you like watermelon, that's a beer for you. After our meal we left the Brew House and went for a little walk to see the town. We didn't go far, but looks like a really nice town. We made our way back to the room to get some rest and get up early to catch the ferry to Pelee Island.

Till next time,