An Impromptu Rainy Day Drive Leads To Some Incredible Wildlife Encounters

As many of you know, I work from home for my day job and set my own schedule. This gives me the flexibility to choose my days off based on the weather and occasionally drop everything and head out with my camera whenever the mood strikes.

Recently, I found myself finished work at around 10:00 a.m. (I start at 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.) and had no plan for the rest of the day. It was a drizzly, miserable day and I wasn’t overly motivated to head out with my camera.  In the past, I wouldn’t have considered heading into Algonquin Park under these conditions, but since switching to a full-frame camera in 2025, I no longer dread these conditions. You can read all about my switch to full-frame in my post Is Upgrading To A Full-Frame Camera Worth It? My Honest Experience After Switching From A Crop Sensor.

Living just 15 minutes from the West Gate, I often head into The Park after work, and occasionally before if I choose to start my day a bit later. On this day, I grabbed my camera, rain coat, and bug spray and hopped in my car. After entering The Park’s boundaries I encountered a rather soaked wild turkey foraging along the side of Hwy 60. I pulled over for a few quick pics and then carried on.

Only a few kilometers into The Park, I spotted a young bull moose off in the bush. There was a spot to pull off just ahead so I parked there and walked back. I crouched down in the ferns and took a few photos, but passersby saw me and stopped. With a moose jam starting, that was my cue to leave.    

As I reached a bridge over a small creek, I noticed a snapping turtle. This large female was likely searching for a nesting spot or had already laid her eggs and was heading back to the water. She was pressed against the concrete barrier just a few feet from the highway, with quite a distance still to go to get around it. Not wanting her to be hit by a passing vehicle, I knew I had to help.

After pulling into one of the trail parking lots, I grabbed my passenger-side floor mat and started walking back toward the turtle. Using a floor mat is my favourite way to move these large turtles as I find it the fastest and safest for me and the turtle. To do this method, I approach the turtle from behind. I then grab their shell right by the tail and lift slightly. The turtle will snap and lunge forward allowing me to slide the floor mat underneath the shell. This also keep my hand away from the turtle’s mouth. Once on the floormat, I can quickly slide the turtle off the road. I find with this method once I get the turtle moving they hold still presumably as they are a bit discombobulated going that fast in reverse. I’ve used this technique countless times in the past and still have all 10 digits.  It’s important to move a turtle in the direction it’s heading, not necessarily toward the nearest water.

While I was moving the turtle, a park warden stopped to ask if I needed help. I told her I was confident, having already moved several turtles that week. She smiled and thanked me for helping, and I mentioned that this particular turtle was tagged as part of an ongoing research project. The warden quickly took a photo of the tag to report the sighting before continuing on her way. Once the turtle was safely off the highway, I turned around and headed west toward home.

While driving down a gravel road, I came across another snapping turtle, this one had just finished laying eggs and was covering them up. I pulled over to make sure any oncoming cars wouldn’t strike her and when she way done, I watched as she safely made it back to the adjacent pond. 

On my way home, a large bull moose emerged from the forest. I pulled over safely and took a few photos. It seemed like he was about to cross the highway, but as he reached the asphalt, an approaching Ontario Parks vehicle slowed down and he turned back into the woods. This is exactly why I stick to the speed limit or less in the park. You never know when an animal might decide to cross, and with all the blind hills and corners, it’s the safest choice for both me and the wildlife.

Further down the highway, I spotted two more snapping turtles that had just finished laying eggs on the gravel shoulder. In both cases , I watched them make their way safely back to the water. Snapping turtles are listed as a species of special concern on Ontario’s Species at Risk list. Since they don’t reach maturity until they’re 15–20 years old, these large egg-laying females are especially precious.

This is a perfect example of how a dull, gloomy day can be incredibly rewarding. Sure, I could have stayed home and found something to do, there’s always cleaning to do our laundry I suppose, but that’s no fun. Besides, getting out in nature has immeasurable benefits on both my physical and mental health. I am incredibly fortunate to have a flexible job and live in such close proximity to The Park. Being able to take advantage of this is something I’m truly grateful for. 

Good birding,
Paul     

My Gear 

• Camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark II 
• Main wildlife lens: Canon RF 100-500 F4.5-7.1L is USM
• Camera Harness: Cotton Carrier CCS G3 Single Camera Strap System
• Binoculars: Vortex Vanquish HD 10 x 42 
   

* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*