Deer in Dundas Valley Ontario

The most incredible and unexpected brushes with nature will present themselves at times that are less than perfect. Mother Nature presented herself while Margaret and I were taking a drive through the Dundas Valley.  I believe the six beautiful and healthy deer were moving through the valley looking for a safe place to stay for the evening.

 

Deer in the Dundas Valley

I grabbed my camera and took off down a trail that would intersect the direction that they were headed. Feeling the rush come from seeing beautiful wild animals free has always been something I have found indescribable.

I hope you enjoy the photographs that I was able to capture. It is still possible to see wild deer and turkeys near suburban areas if you are in the right place at the right time.

The herd of deer watching me get closer

Most deer have a comfort zone that they monitor

After the initial contact, the herd became comfortable with my presence

A quick look back to see if I'm still there

Deer tracks

Port Severn Cottage Weekend

Getting away from the city during a summer weekend can change your whole perspective. A chance to recharge your batteries and spend some time outside instead of sitting in front of a computer in the office.

This particular weekend was spent at a cottage just east of Port Severn Ontario. Port Severn is the gateway to Georgian Bay. The locks at Port Severn are the very end of the Trent Severn Waterway. It provides a water route beginning at the Bay of Quinte and finishing at Georgian Bay. The total distance is 386 kilometres through locks, lakes and channels.


Attached are some of my images that I think capture the Severn region well. I hope you enjoy them.

Two chairs on the dock

Beautiful cottage day

Wildlife near the dock

Air bubble from the bottom of the lake

Cottages across the lake

Relaxing in the shade

Loons on the lake

Extra room for visitors

Perfect Day

If you are interested in finding more information about this area of Ontario, I have attached some good websites below.


http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/index.aspx

www.trentsevern.com

www.400eleven.com/PortSevern.html

Tiffany Falls Late Winter - Hamilton Ontario

During the winter there is so much to do outside. Going for a winter hike or checking out a favourite outdoor spot could be just the thing to stay active.

Tiffany Falls in Hamilton Ontario is one of those spots. A fantastic place to visit in all season, even late winter. Last year in the Fall, Margaret and I hiked to Tiffany Falls Conservation Area and experienced the beautiful area first hand. You can check out my blog post from the Fall here.

Entrance to Tiffany Falls Conservation Area Trail

Great Signage for the Side Trail

Well maintained bridges help get to the Falls

I was curious what it would look like during the late winter. The particular weekend we hiked to the falls we were surprised to see ice climbers practicing rappelling and climbing the ice that surrounded the cascade. 

A little bit of green from the white pine

Melt water

Bridge #1

The Canyon

Wide angle photo of the Niagara Escarpment

Looking up to the edge of the Escarpment

Margaret getting cold on the trail

Some colour left over from last year

Mission Accomplished - reached the Falls

Ice Climber

Tiffany Falls

Ice climber getting climbing gear ready

Ice climbers at the bottom of Tiffany Falls

Tiffany Falls

   
There are so many activities outside that can be done in the Hamilton Area. From the  Dundas Valley Conservation Area close by,  to the Bruce Trail, and many more waterfalls to explore in the local area.

Check out some of the links below for more great information and photos of the Falls.

Suburban Tourist

Dundas Valley Conservation Area 
Waterfalls of Ontario
Hamilton Conservation Authority
Bruce Trail

Tourism Hamilton


Coordinates:  43° 14’ 22” N     79° 57’ 31” W         
                      UTM  17N 584553.13 E     4787932.69 N

Exploring Mono Township - Mono Ontario

Each weekend Margaret and I decide to explore a new area of Ontario. This particular weekend it was Mono Township. Located about 40 minutes north of Mississauga and Brampton, you will find yourself in the middle of the Hills and Headwaters area of southern Ontario.

Bruce Trail running through Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Dog prints in the snow

There are many areas the see and explore while in Mono. There are great hiking trails at the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park and the Bruce Trail runs through the park. If you want to go for a leisurely drive and explore the local area, you will be surprised by the beautiful scenery.

Interesting shot between two birch trees

Margaret on the Bruce Trail at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Ontario hardwood forest in the winter

 A little to the south of Mono Centre, is the Hockley Valley. Very picturesque and really worth the drive in all four seasons.


We continued further north and checked out Boyne Valley Provincial Park. The area has fantastic topography and many hiking trails to explore. Along the way, stop at Ponton Mills. The remains of an old grist mill stands along the Boyne River. It was built in this location in 1896 by George H. Shepherd and operated until the early 1900s.

Ponton Mills

Curvy turns and rolling topography

Check out these other sites for more information:

http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/carriage-trail---mono-cliffs-provincial-par

http://www.torontohiking.com/tohi/boyne-river-provincial-park.html

http://brucetrail.org/

Coordinates:

UTM 17N  574808 E  4874147 N

Inglis Falls - Owen Sound Ontario

Inglis Falls is located just south of Owen Sound, Ontario on the Sydenham River. The Falls are part of the Inglis Falls Conservation Area. The height of the falls is 18 metres.  The waterfall is named after a Scottish immigrant, Peter Inglis who settled in the area around 1845.

  

Sydenham River just above Inglis Falls

Sydenham River

Great signage along the trails

Remains of the Grist Mill

Remnants of a nineteenth-century gristmill are reminders of the power in this falling water, used by Inglis.  Some of the original mill wheels that were used for grinding are on site.

Margaret taking great shots

 

The area was well marked and the view through the canyon towards Owen Sound is fantastic. Margaret and I explored the trail down towards the bottom of the falls. 

Canada Geese flying over the Falls

Heading South

Inglis Falls from Lookout

Inglis Falls with just a bit of water

Stairs down to trails

Trail down to Falls bottom

Trail can be very rocky

The Bruce Trail swings by through the area heading north to Tobermory. There are many great spots to stop for photographs.

Along the Bruce Trail

Anyone heading to Owen Sound should make a stop and explore this beautiful natural area.

Coordinates :   UTM  17N  505224  4930346