Waterfalls!

Waterfalls were on our list of locations to visit last week. Three of the waterfalls we saw are included below.

Inglis Falls

Inglis Falls Conservation Area is a 209 hectare property featuring an 18 metre high waterfall. It hosts a number of 'shortish' hiking trails, many of which connect with the Bruce Trail.

Along the Bruce Trail, beyond the falls!

Cold Storage Cellar

Fall Colours from the top!

Hiking along the Bruce Trail, starting at Inglis Falls.

Eugenia Falls:

Very little water was flowing over Eugenia Falls. The 30 metre high falls are hiding in the shadows. In 1853 "gold" was discovered embedded in the rocks in the gorge below. This discovery quickly drew hundreds of prospectors but the gold rush lasted only 3 weeks once the nuggets were proven to be fool's gold (iron pyrite).

Hogg's Falls:

Hogg's Falls is situated on the Boyne River in the upper Beaver Valley. The 7 metre high falls is set in a cedar and hardwood forest with many trails that also connect to the Bruce Trail.

Nottawasaga Lookout P.P.

The trail in the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Park took us on a 2.1 km loop; half of that distance was on the Bruce trail. There were some nice views looking back towards Collingwood. We only saw 5 bird species and the Downy Woodpecker was the only bird in photographic range. Lots of interesting rock formations and a cave system at the edge of the cliff. We could hear people walking and talking below!

Devil's Glen Provincial Park is only accessibly by foot and is a non-operating Park. The park provides access to the Bruce Trail and a viewing platform provides a scenic view of the Niagara Escarpment. A challenging walk allows hikers to access the gorge where the Mad River flows.

Pretty River Valley Provincial Park is also classed as a "Non Operating" Park. There are no staff, facilities or washrooms but its a beautiful place to take a hike on the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Trail runs through the park.

Rainbow Trout lurking by a fallen log.

Roadside views along the Park Boundary.

Artistic patterns on White Cedar beside Pretty River.

Old Homestead.

 Collingwood Waterfront!

Trail Head: We started each morning with a walk along the waterfront. 

Looking towards Nottawasaga Bay.

Red-winged Blackbirds are currently hard to find at home, but we saw a good sized flock of migrating blackbirds at the Collingwood waterfront!

Boardwalk/bridge leading to Hen and Chickens Island - A good spot for shore birds during migration!

Grain Elevators

A rock I admired!

Mallard Drake

Canada Goose silhouettes.

Mute Swan, one of approximately 37. Two Trumpeter Swans were in the area, but were very distant.

High winds the next day prompted the birds to take shelter in an area protected from the elements.

At least 10 Green-winged Teal swam remarkably close to our vantage point. We also saw Redheads, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, all 3 Mergansers, American Coot, and Goldeneye.

Great Blue Heron hunting in a small creek.

Double-crested Cormorants huddled on a rock.

Lesser Yellowlegs on the left and Greater Yellowlegs on the right. Several metres behind the yellowlegs, 4 Wilson's Snipe hunted for food in the mud.

An immature Bonaparte's Gull cruised low over the surface of the water, regularly dunking its head in the pursuit of food.

Morning light on the bay.

A Red Squirrel keeping an eye on us.

 Port Albert Fishway:

We went on a mini vacation this week. Just north of Goderich, we stopped at the Port Albert Fishway. A fishway is a man-made structure which allows fish to by-pass a dam or other obstruction. Each spring, fish attempt to migrate up the Nine Mile River. Rainbow Trout are one of the most common migrants. When the Mill Dam at Port Albert was constructed, it impeded the trout from reaching their spawning grounds. As a result, a large concentration of both fish and anglers below the dam partially contributed to poor fishing ethics and tremendous pressure on fish populations. 

In addition to assisting fish in moving upstream, 'Fishways' allow Biologists to capture, sample, and live release fish belonging to the spawning portion of the population. 

View from the bridge above the fish lift.

Chinook Salmon, heading upstream.

Notice the Salmon's open mouth - lower left.

Base of Fish lift beside waterfall.

Fish must navigate many obstacles in the river to get to the bottom of the fish lift.

Common Water Strider - possible fish food in the river!

Data above was based on Spring sampling as of April 26, 2024

*Fishways information taken from on-site interpretive signs.

We managed to find a few things with wings including a female White-crowned Sparrow. 

A couple of Cabbage White Butterflies fluttered around the few remaining flowers in bloom.