Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart

As a kid summer at the cottage was always so much fun. My family would partake in the usual activities enjoyed by most cottagers with swimming, waterskiing, and fishing being commonplace. It was here too that my interest in nature got an early start. Back in those days, my dad would take my mom, sisters, and me out in a 16-foot aluminum boat for what he called a “nature cruise”. These cruises took place in areas on the lake that were undeveloped. As we idled along we would keep our eyes open for all forms of nature and we would often find a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Ducks, herons, muskrats, and turtles were all typically observed. My dad would share what knowledge he had of these creatures and my sisters and I learned a lot about nature and the importance of respecting it. We would ask plenty of questions along the way and Dad always had the answer. I can’t imagine the degree of patience this must have taken on my dad’s part, and this is just one of the many qualities I love about him.   

Now more than three decades later, this area of the lake remains undeveloped and I find myself returning each summer for a nature cruise of my own. As I take in the abundance of species inhabiting this area I reminisce about those days with my dad and appreciate him taking the time to introduce me to nature. 

In mid-August, I spent a week at the cottage with my dad but didn’t manage to get to this area for a nature cruise. Most of our time was spent birding on the front lawn and watching the boats go by. Once returning to my trailer after having an incredible week with my dad I couldn’t help but wish I made time to visit this area. With the cottage only an hour south of where I am currently located I decided to make the short drive down with my pack boat to paddle this section of the lake and see what species were present. 

Arriving at Lake Couchiching I launched my boat on the east shore and made the short paddle into the quiet bay. Immediately I was greeted by a Great Blue Heron high up in a tree. I watched for a few minutes as the bird preened before I moved quietly along the shoreline. Coming up on a fallen log, several Painted Turtles were observed basking in the sun while the call of a kingfisher could be heard. This day was an emotional one for me as not only was I remembering so many fond memories of my childhood from this location, but it also would have been my mom’s 71st birthday. I could have easily become overwhelmed with my myriad of feelings, but being surrounded by nature in a place that I love kept everything in check. For me, immersing myself in nature has always been the best way to deal with my emotions.  

Several duck species were observed on this outing with Mallards, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and American Widgeon all seen. By late summer, male ducks are displaying their eclipse plumage. This is when they have molted from their colorful breeding plumage and appear much more drab. Identifying these birds can be a challenge and male ducks are often confused as juveniles. Something to remember to aid in identification is juvenile ducks more resemble females while eclipse males will still show some field marks of their breeding plumage. In the case of the Wood Duck, eclipse males retain their colorful eye and bill. 

Over the past several years, the number of Great Egrets present in this area during late August and early September has increased. Seeing these birds here at this time of year is almost common now. On this day I was treated to some amazing views of a Great Egret circling directly overhead. Lowering my paddle and raising my camera, I was able to capture several images of this bird before it landed in a clearing in the cattails. 

Continuing along the shoreline I reached an area known as The Narrows. This is where Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe come together. Filled with cattails, lily pads, and other aquatic vegetation nature is abundant here. The many wooden pilings from old railway crossings provide perfect perches for birds and it’s not uncommon to see dozens of terns here. On this occasion, I had amazing views of an Osprey sitting on one post as it stared down into the water. Osprey typically search for fish while soaring high above the water but this particular bird seemed to be looking for its next meal from only a few feet above the surface.    

Another species that has appeared in this area in recent years is the Trumpeter Swan. Once extirpated in Ontario due to overhunting and habitat loss the Canadian population of Trumpeter Swans was only 77 birds in 1933. Thanks to several successful reintroduction programs including here provincially, this species has seen its numbers rebound.  As part of these programs, many Trumpeter Swans display a numbered yellow tag on their wing. In this particular area of Lake Couchiching, pairs of Trumpeter Swans can be observed each summer swimming with their cygnets.      

While getting myself into a position to photograph the swans, movement from within the cattails caught my eye. To my delight, a Least Bittern was seen gripping the stalks of this emergent vegetation. At only about a foot tall, these small herons are incredibly hard to see and therefore are quite elusive. Thanks to a stealth-like approach in my pack boat, I’ve been able to sneak up on these birds the past few years and capture several images. 

Speaking of small herons, Lake Couchiching is one of my favourite places for getting up close to Green Herons. Slipping through the water silently I’m able to get within a few feet of this species, one that is quite plentiful here though likely goes unnoticed due to its short stature and amazing camouflage. 

Having spent several hours paddling this area it was now time to head home. As I made my way back to the car I reflected on what an amazing day I had. My mind was also full of all the incredible memories from my childhood in this area with my mom, dad, and sisters. The day was bittersweet for me as I was incredibly grateful for the species I observed and the memories and knowledge I gathered here as a child, but also found myself remembering and missing my mom. The amazing wildlife found around Lake Couchiching as well as all the fond memories over the years make this one of my favourite places and one that will always have a special place in my heart.

Good birding,
Paul