How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park

Every year, Algonquin Park draws over a million visitors, many eager to catch a glimpse of a moose. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to photograph many of these amazing animals. While sightings aren’t guaranteed on every trip, I’ve developed a routine that improves my odds.

mmm - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **This moose was seen crossing a small pond on Highway 60.**

Dawn and dusk are prime times to spot moose, especially along the Highway 60 corridor. In the cooler months, they’re often visible throughout the day, but their activity peaks at sunrise and sunset. When driving this stretch, I keep my speed at 60 km/h. This allows me to scan ditches, forest edges, ponds, and marshes for moose or movement. Driving slowly also gives me time to react and stop if a moose decides to cross. With less traffic at dawn and dusk, traveling 20 km/h below the speed limit is less likely to annoy other drivers. I constantly check my rearview mirror for approaching cars and pull over early when needed. There are plenty of safe places to pull over, either on the shoulder or in parking lots for trails.

F2A4549 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Moose are often observed browsing on small branches during winter and early spring.**

I avoid this practice on weekends, when traffic is heavier. In fact, I see the most moose on Tuesday through Thursday. My theory is that they probably feel more comfortable coming out after the busy weekends, when the crowds of parkgoers have driven them deeper into the forest. Late April and early May are ideal for this technique. Moose are attracted to the highway to sip from sodium-rich puddles that form when snow melts and road salt runoff collects in the ditches. Checking the observation board in the lobby of the Visitor Centre is a great way to keep on top of recent sightings along Highway 60.

F2A3163 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Dusk is the perfect time to spot active moose in Algonquin Park, and this yearling was captured in the golden hour light.**
**1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 3200, -0.7**

If you do find a moose at the side of the highway and choose to stop to photograph it, keep a few things in mind. Highway 60 is a major throughway with heavy traffic and large commercial vehicles traveling up and down it. Make sure to pull completely off the highway, keeping the driver’s-side tires well clear of the white line, or better yet, park in the nearest lot and walk to where you spotted the moose. Don’t stop directly across from the moose, as this can spook it; go slightly past and walk back. Open and close your car door quietly, and approach slowly and quietly, preferably from the opposite side of the highway. If others are stopped, be aware of them and be courteous, and try not to scare the moose. Snap a few images and carry on.

F2A5105 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **A bull moose with fresh spring antlers emerges from the forest.**

Algonquin Park’s infamous moose jams make some drivers irate and can result in honking or, in the case of commercial vehicles, unnecessary use of Jake brakes. I used to drive a truck for a living, so I fully understand what unnecessary Jake braking is. It’s these sudden, loud, unfamiliar noises that really spook a moose, causing it to run and potentially collide with a vehicle. For this reason, I try to avoid moose jams. Again, dusk and dawn on weekdays help avoid moose jams, since traffic on the highway is lighter.

F2A3203 2 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **I photographed this moose using my Canon Rf 100-500 mm lens with 1.4 extender.**
**1/400, f/10, ISO 1600, -0.3**

My preferred method of finding moose is by paddling Algonquin’s lakes, again shortly after sunrise and right before sunset. The quiet solitude of slipping through the water in my Swift 14’ Prospector Pack Boat is ideal. I search bays, shorelines, and creeks loaded with water lilies and other aquatic vegetation. This is a proven method. Like road salt, water lilies are packed with sodium, an essential mineral in a moose’s diet. It’s important to keep in mind that moose start feeling the effects of heat stroke at 17 degrees Celsius. This is why early and late in the day are best. Moose are most active feeding at these times and are often bedded down in a cool forest when the temperature rises.

IMG 2350 Edit 1 2 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Watching a massive bull moose stride across my path as I paddled up a narrow creek is a moment etched in my memory forever.**

There are many lakes easily accessible from Highway 60, most of which have moose. If you don’t own a canoe, renting one from an outfitter like Algonquin Outfitters or The Portage Outpost is an option. A stable boat suitable for photography, along with all the safety gear and equipment you need for a fun day on the water is provided. They will even deliver to the access point of your choice; you don’t need to worry about a roof rack or tying the canoe down.

F2A2001 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Junior watches with a curious expression while mom feeds in the background.**
**1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 1250, -0.3,**

Moose can be observed along many trails in Algonquin Park, with the Mizzy Lake Trail a popular choice. This 11km trail visits several small lakes and ponds and will take 4-5 hours to complete. Moose, wolves, bears, and other wildlife are often seen on this trail. Given the time it takes and the fact that moose are most active at dawn, getting an early start is a good idea. Dogs are not permitted on this trail.

IMG 2321 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **The versatility of a zoom lens gives me more ways to frame my shots.**

When photographing moose, you can use a slower shutter speed than with faster-moving wildlife such as birds. Remember the reciprocal rule when adjusting your settings. This means you want your shutter speed to be one over your lens’s maximum focal length. For me, using a 100-500 mm lens, I ideally want a shutter speed of at least 1/500. This helps eliminate camera shake, usually caused by my excitement. Yes, I have photographed moose at much slower speeds if they are standing still. However, following this rule yields better results. When light allows, I choose a much faster shutter speed, such as 1/1000 or faster. My keeper rate increases exponentially as shutter speeds increase. When shooting from a canoe or pack boat, the faster the better, as you are almost always moving.

F2A6338 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Taken in the rain, a full-frame camera with high ISO capability made this shot possible.**
**1/400, f/7.1, ISO 2500, -0.7**

To achieve these shutter speeds at dawn and dusk, I typically need a higher ISO. For this reason, a full-frame camera is helpful. ISO 800 is my minimum, but I often shoot at or above ISO 2000. My Canon R6 MKII handles high ISOs well, so fewer images end up in the recycle bin than with an APS-C camera.

F2A1795 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **A cow watches closely over her calf.**
**1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 1600, -0.7**

Most telephoto lenses geared for wildlife today range from 400mm on the short end to 800mm on the long end. These lenses are perfect for moose. I prefer the versatility of a zoom lens. I can frame in tight on the moose’s head for a portrait-type shot or zoom out for a more environmental look. My go-to lens is the Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens.

F2A3239 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **This cow was photographed shortly before sunset, after the sun had slipped beneath the trees. In moments like this, a full-frame camera proves incredibly useful.**
**1/640, f/7.1, ISO 3200, -0.7**

Getting the proper exposure is key, especially when using a higher ISO. Be sure to check your histogram and adjust your settings accordingly. Too often, I hear people say, “I’ll fix that later in post.” Nothing accentuates digital noise more than adjusting the exposure slider in your editing software at high ISOs. This is what leads to grainy, unusable photos. Do yourself a favour and get your exposure correct in camera.

507838569 736658878938876 1275871022172044910 n - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **These twin calves were a memorable highlight of Helen Grose’s backcountry adventure last year.**

If you are unfamiliar with Algonquin Park or need help improving your images, local photographers are available to guide you. I have done workshops with Helen Grose and highly recommend her. Helen is an amazing photographer and knows the park like the back of her hand. She’s a bit of a moose whisperer, too! Joining a group workshop was far outside my comfort zone, but I finally gave it a shot, and I’m so glad I did. Not only did Helen teach us about moose, I also improved my photography skills and had an amazing day with other like-minded people. We saw four moose at the workshop along with loons and other wildlife. Helen is available for group workshops or one-on-one outings. If you want to increase your odds of seeing wildlife in the park, reach out to Helen and book an adventure with her.

F2A8499 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — **Moose often cross Highway 60 in Algonquin Park, so sticking to the speed limit or going slower gives drivers more time to stop.**

Like all wildlife, moose can be skittish and need plenty of space. Pay attention to their behaviour and approach them slowly, never in a straight line. Use a zig-zag approach. Walking at them in a straight line simulates a predator stalking and will cause them to flee. If the moose becomes comfortable with you, try moving closer. Move slowly and only when the moose is looking away, upward, or downward while feeding. Remember the adage I live by: if my behaviour changes their behaviour, I’m too close.

F2A5339 - How To Find and Photograph Moose In Algonquin Park — I’ve spotted this bull moose every year for the past six years along the same few hundred-yard stretch of shoreline. Because of his massive size, I’ve nicknamed him Chungus. 1/400, f/7.1, ISO 800, -0.7

If you’re heading to Algonquin Park and hoping to spot and photograph a moose, try out these tips. Following this approach, I’ve had some incredible encounters and taken several photos I’m really proud of.

Good birding,
Paul

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Finch Me I’m Dreaming

Finch numbers in central Ontario have been pretty impressive this winter. I recently had the opportunity to experience this finch bonanza around Algonquin Park. When a house-sitting opportunity for friends who live in the area presented itself, I jumped at it.

Not only would I be spending several days 15 minutes from the park, my friend’s property of 20-plus acres is home to an abundance of birds and wildlife not limited to the dog, chickens, and rabbits I’d be tending to.

IMG 0106 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **This Going Green platform feeder by Woodlink filled with black oil sunflower seeds was a real hit with the finches.**

My friends feed the birds in winter but I wasn’t sure what type of feeders they’d have out. I decided to pack a few of my favourites I knew would attract the wide variety of birds certain to be around their property. I took a hanging tray feeder, a No/No mesh seed ball, and a large tube feeder. As far as seed goes, black oil sunflower and peanut halves would be on the menu.

Hanging these feeders was easy thanks to the abundance of Maple Trees. I used bungee cords looped over low branches to hang all three. The feeders were placed strategically in front of the large living room window so I could keep an eye on them while enjoying my morning coffee.

The sounds of chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and goldfinches echoed from the treetops. I anticipated it wouldn’t be long until something found one of my feeders. What happened over the ensuing days was incredible.

IMG 3761 2 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **The No/No seed ball is so simple yet so effective.**

The next morning, I poured a cup of coffee and sat looking out the large window. It was just getting daylight as the birds started to arrive. First, it was the goldfinches. Soon after Purple Finches followed and then Pine Siskins. The number of finches present at the feeders and surrounding trees was truly incredible.

I have never seen so many Purple Finches in my life. I can’t hazard a guess at how many of each species there were, but the total of the 3 varieties of finches was in the 100s! This continued for the duration of my stay and by the time I left was almost out of sunflower seed.

IMG 8050 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Evening Grosbeaks at the visitor’s centre feeder in Algonquin Provincial Park.**

With so much finch activity happening right at my doorstep, I was a bit hesitant to venture into Algonquin Park. After all, I was afraid of missing out on the action. On this trip, I was hoping to see Evening Grosbeaks and crossbills. Since I hadn’t seen or heard any around the property where I was staying I figured the park was my best bet.

The feeders around the visitor’s centre are a great place to see beautiful Evening Grosbeaks and decided to make this my first stop. Before visiting the park feeders, I always look at the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam. Not only is this entertaining, by scrolling through the footage I can see when activity at the feeders is greatest. By doing this, I determined grosbeak activity at the feeders is best late morning and mid to late afternoon so timed my arrival accordingly. Sure enough after only a few minutes of waiting the colourful Evening Grosbeaks arrived.

IMG 3971 Edit 2 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Female Red Crossbill. Note how the upper and lower portion of the bill crosses, hence the name crossbill.**

Next, I was off to Opeongo Road in search of crossbills. I had never photographed a crossbill before. In fact, I had only seen them at a distance through my binoculars so never appreciated their beauty and uniqueness. These birds are interesting in that their bill’s top and bottom portion cross, hence the name crossbill. This allows crossbills to open spruce, pine, and other cones to access the seeds, whereas other birds must wait for the cone to open naturally making the seed accessible.

As I drove along Opeongo Road I could hear crossbills calling from the spruce trees on the far side of Costello Creek. To my delight, a pair of Red Crossbills were on the ground pecking at the road. Birds consume sand and grit from roadways to aid with digestion. Safely pulling over, I got out of my car and managed several images of these amazing birds. Despite not having finch in their names, Evening Grosbeaks and crossbills are large members of the finch family.

IMG 4072 2 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Male Red Crossbill**

Opeongo Road is also a great location to observe a non-finch species, the Canada Jay. At the closed gate where the logging road starts there is a parking lot. Exiting my car here, I prepared to walk down Opeongo Road. I planned to go as far as the bridge over Costello Creek at Turtle Rock. After exiting the car, I noticed a Pine Marten in a tree.

Martens are in the same family as weasels and mink and are similar in appearance. However, Pine Martens tend to spend a considerable amount of time in trees making them more elusive. Parkgoers often feed the birds here and I’ve seen martens in the area before as they are accustomed to handouts. Happy with the images I captured of the marten, I carried on down the road.

IMG 4328 Edit - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Pine Marten**

As I walked along, Purple Fiches, Pine Siskins, and Red Crossbills could be heard high in the trees. Purple Finches were by far the most abundant on this trip and were everywhere! Arriving at the bridge, I was greeted by several Canada Jays. These birds at this time of year are quite curious and often find you. I watched as these birds flitted among the trees and managed a few images when they paused briefly.

It was getting late in the day, and with an hour’s drive ahead of me it was time to get going. I needed to get back before sunset to close the chicken coop as keeping the livestock alive was most important.

IMG 4401 Edit 2 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Portrait of a Canada Jay taken on Opeongo Road.**

If you are heading to Algonquin Park for the Family Day long weekend, Algonquin Park’s Winter in the Wild Festival is happening on Saturday, February 17 with indoor and outdoor events taking place throughout the park.

IMG 7180 - Finch Me I'm Dreaming — **Opeongo Road is a great place to observe the Canada Jay.**

This trip to Algonquin Park and the surrounding area was the best finch activity I have ever experienced. Despite this winter’s weather not feeling overly wintry, winter finches in this part of the province have been abundant.

If you are thinking of visiting this area to take in all the finch action don’t leave it too long. Finch numbers will slowly decrease as the breeding season approaches and the birds spread out. Many will migrate back north to the boreal forest to breed. That said, there’s never a bad time to visit Algonquin.

Good birding,
Paul

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A Winter Getaway With A New Lens

It’s been a busy fall and winter that hasn’t left me much time for birding or photography. Almost all of my free time over the past few months has been committed to helping family, so when the opportunity came up to take a few days off work and go birding I jumped at the chance. I was incredibly excited for this trip as not only was surrounding myself in nature going to clear my head of all that has been going on lately, but I also acquired a new lens only days before leaving. What lens would I be wielding on this adventure? The Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3.

IMG 7150 2 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Many of the Canada Jays in Algonquin Park have colourful bands on their legs. These bands not only help researchers determine the bird’s age and range but can also identify a mating pair.**

For this getaway, I made my way up to Algonquin Provincial Park in hopes of seeing some of the many winter finches that call the park home from late fall to early spring. My first stop upon entering the park was at the West Gate to purchase an annual day-use permit. I highly recommend this to anyone who uses any of Ontario’s provincial parks regularly as this is by far the most economical option. For $111.87 (including HST), this pass allows the holder unlimited day-use access to any provincial park in Ontario. For comparison, a daily vehicle permit allowing only one day of admission costs $21.00 (including HST) so if you are planning 6 or more trips to a provincial park over the year, get the annual pass. Again, this pass is valid at any provincial park and I get my money’s worth not only at Algonquin but also at Komoka Provincial Park, Rondeau, and the Pinery.

IMG 7184 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Black-capped Chickadees were abundant in many areas of the park.**

After obtaining my pass, I continued west along highway 60 to the Spruce Bog Trail. This easy, 1.5 km loop is one of my favourites in the park as not only is the scenery breathtaking, there is always an abundance of birds and wildlife no matter the time of year. Stepping out of the car, I donned my Cotton Carrier and attached my Canon 7D and Sigma 150-600mm lens while slinging my binoculars over my shoulder.

An older couple in the parking lot was looking high up in the spruce trees and seemed quite excited about what they had just seen. I walked over and asked what they saw and the woman told me a Boreal Chickadee. Having never seen this bird, I too began scanning the treetops with my binoculars, and mixed in with the dozens of Black-capped Chickadees I saw the distinct brown cap and cinnamon flanks of the Boreal Chickadee. I watched as the bird flitted from tree to tree and had some great views of this lifer but the bird never did drop low enough or present an opportunity for a photo. Excited and satisfied by this observation, I made my way to the trailhead.

IMG 8082 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Red-breasted Nuthatch photographed along the Spruce Bog Trail.**

It was evident the Spruce Bog Trail had been well traveled in recent days as the snow was hard packed which made for easy walking. The sound of Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches filled the tree tops. As I made my way out of the forest and onto the snow-covered boardwalk two larger birds passed by overhead. I could tell by their shape they were jays but was unsure if they were Blue or Canada Jays. Scanning the tops of the spruce trees I was able to positively identify these birds as Canada Jays.

The Canada Jay was recently named by Canadian Geographic as our national bird and was formerly known as the Gray Jay. Many also refer to them as the Whisky Jack which comes from Wiskedjak, Wisagatcak, and Wisekejack, taken from Indigenous languages which means a mischievous, transforming spirit who likes to play tricks on people. Regardless of what you call them these birds are absolutely beautiful and a treat to observe.

IMG 7133 Edit 2 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens

By this time, I had already fired off dozens of photos and was impressed with this new lens. Autofocus was fast and accurate and from what I could see on the LCD screen on the back of my camera the lens was also very sharp. Equally impressive was how well this lens performed shooting wide open at f/6.3 in low-light conditions in the dense forest. Expect a full review of this lens to come in a future blog post.

After finishing up at Spruce Bog which ended up taking several hours as there was lots of pausing for photos, I made my way over to the Visitor Centre. Here, several feeders are set up, and this is where sightings of Evening and Pine Grosbeaks had been reported. Arriving in the early afternoon, activity around the feeders consisted of chickadees, nuthatches, and Downy Woodpeckers. Unfortunately, there were no grosbeaks or finches around, and talking to other birders, late morning was apparently the best time to observe these species at this location. Armed with this information I decided to make my way to Opeongo Road and return the following day to the Visitor Centre in hopes of seeing the grosbeaks.

IMG 7074 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Even with slower shutter speeds and a wide open aperture, I was very impressed with the sharpness of the Sigma 150-600mm. Canada Jay 1/160 f/6.3 ISO 1250.**

Driving along Opeongo Road I could see an otter out on Costello Lake. I watched as it would run two steps then slide along the ice on its belly. This was quite comical and entertaining to see and I watched for several minutes as the otter zig-zagged its way across the ice. Too far for a photo, I was happy to enjoy the experience through my binoculars.

Further down Opeongo Road closer views of otters were achieved as they poked their heads up through holes in the ice on Costello Creek. Seeing this reminded me of the game whack-a-mole. Observing otters is always fun as their behaviour is truly unique and so playful, unlike any other species I’ve observed. One otter made repeated dives through a hole in the ice and emerged with what I think was a clam. After finishing its meal the otter proceeded to rub its face along the ice presumably to clean its fur. Just more of the comical and unique behaviour of this amazing species.

IMG 7119 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Properly exposing the whites is always important especially in the snow to avoid images that appear gray. I overexposed this image by one full stop to preserve the white snow.**

Carrying on down Opeongo Road I parked just off to the side of the seasonal gate and took a look around. More Black-capped Chickadees were present and so too were more Canada Jays. Not long after arriving, movement on the forest floor caught my attention. As I looked through the maze of branches I saw a Pine Marten. This was very exciting for me as I had never seen this species and was one I was hoping to encounter on this trip. This particular marten was incredibly photogenic and provided me the opportunity to capture several images.

IMG 8352 2 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **This curious raven was obviously accustomed to handouts by park visitors as it landed next to my car seconds after pulling into a parking lot.**

For this trip, I didn’t camp in my hot tent as I wanted to focus my time on the high percentage areas along highway 60 and not setting up and breaking camp or hiking in and out of the backcountry each day. Rather I decided to book an area motel and was very pleased with this decision. On day two after eating breakfast and having my morning coffee in a warm room, I made my way to the Visitor Centre in search of grosbeaks.

Driving down highway 60 the hoar frost in the trees was absolutely stunning. In retrospect, I wished I stopped to take some landscape images but I was too excited to get to the feeders in hopes of seeing the grosbeaks as I much prefer wildlife photography over landscapes.

IMG 8004 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Pine Marten in a pine tree.**

Arriving at the Visitor Centre at 10:00 a.m. I could hear Evening Grosbeaks calling from down in the valley along Sunday Creek but none were visible. I ended up waiting over an hour for the grosbeaks to appear. Sitting still is not easy for me and is something I struggle to do. I often get questions from people asking me how long I had to wait to get a certain photo. The truth is I rarely wait more than a few minutes for a photo. If it isn’t happening I’m on the move to find something that is. Fortunately, two Pine Martens were present which gave me ample photo opportunities and took the pain out of the long wait.

IMG 8015 Edit - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Male Evening Grosbeak photographed at the Visitor Centre.**

Sure enough, as others the previous day had suggested, by late morning Evening Grosbeaks emerged from the valley and appeared in the trees adjacent to the feeders. The morning sun was hitting them beautifully showing off their radiant yellow plumage and white wing patches. The feeders were filled with black-oil sunflower seeds and enjoyed by a variety of birds.

IMG 7212 - A Winter Getaway With A New Lens — **Canada Jay photographed with my new Sigma 150-600 mm lens. I’m looking forward to taking many more images with this lens.**

Surrounding myself in nature on this getaway was the perfect way to reset after what has been an arduous few months of dealing with, well life. I can’t emphasize enough the mental and physical benefits of time in nature. I feel completely refreshed and can focus better on work and other tasks that need completing. This trip also inspired me to pick up my camera more and get back to what I love. If you find yourself needing to reset or recharge, I highly recommend spending time in nature. Whether it’s a few days in Algonquin Park or a few minutes or hours in your backyard or local park, the rewards of immersing yourself in nature are immeasurable.

Good birding,
Paul

* 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!*

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Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park

I can’t think of a bird more iconic to Canada’s wilderness than the Common Loon. Breeding in every province and all three territories, loons truly are Canadian. When I decided to move north for the season, the Common Loon was one species I hoped to see and photograph more. So far this season, I have not been disappointed as I have had my fair share of encounters with loons. Most of my loon watching has been done from the water in my Swift Pack Boat paddling many lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park as well as a few outside the park. So far, every lake I have paddled (and I’ve paddled quite a few now) has revealed at least one loon.

IMG 1733 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park

IMG 1732 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Capturing a series of shots of a loon setting its wings was something I have always dreamed of.**

Interestingly, most of the loons I have come across have shown little to no fear of me and have ventured closer on their own as if almost curious by my presence. This has resulted in some incredible views of these beautiful birds. Some birds have been within a paddle length of my boat and I’ve even been able to watch them swim underwater after they dive.

IMG 3110 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Common Loon incubating an egg on a nest.**

Some of the lakes I’ve paddled have resulted in the sighting of baby loons. Not wanting to stress out the adults, I have left considerable space between me and these birds and have been happy to watch from a respectable distance. While driving along a backroad, I could see an adult loon sitting on a nest only a few metres from the road. The legs of a loon are located far back on their bodies making them excellent divers but being chest heavy they cannot move well on land. Consequently, loons construct nests close to water where dead plant matter is formed into a mound where the female with lay one to two eggs.

IMG 3185 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — This single egg was the only one present in a loon nest found in a back bay of a lake in Algonquin Park. Please note, this image was taken from a road a respectable distance from the nest and I quickly moved on after taking the shot.

Photographing loons or any species from my pack boat proves to be a real challenge given that not only is the subject moving but I too am regularly drifting with the wind. Often I find myself out of position for a shot due to the wind pointing me in a different direction than what I need to be facing. This means I have to adjust my entire boat and not just my body resulting in missed opportunities for photos. In other areas, I do carry a small collapsible anchor to prevent this but many of the lakes in Algonquin are quite deep and I would have to carry more anchor rope than feasible. Working with my shutter speed set to at least 1/1000 helps freeze the action if the loon or my boat is moving and slowing panning much like photographing a bird in flight is often required.

IMG 2018 Edit - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Common Loon stretching its wings.**

As I paddle new lakes and familiarize myself with Algonquin Provincial Park, carrying a map with me has been incredibly helpful with navigation. I recently purchased a couple of maps, one is Algonquin Park Canoe Routes, which as the name suggests is specific to canoe routes and the other map is the Algonquin Provincial Park waterproof map. This map covers the park in great detail from east to west and is great for paddlers, hikers, cyclists, or anyone who visits the park. Showing campsites, canoe routes, trails, and even fishing spots this map is a must-have for park users. To protect these maps from the elements I keep them in a SealLine Map Case. This clear case allows me to easily read the map after folding it to the section of the park I’m paddling and placing it inside. Keeping the map in the case beside me for quick reference is super handy if I am unsure of where I am or which direction I need to go. I consider myself to have an excellent sense of direction but when venturing out on unfamiliar waters a map is a must-have.

IMG 3524 2 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **I came across this baby loon while paddling the Madawaska River.**

One afternoon while paddling the Madawaska River, I came across a baby loon all by itself. With no parents in sight, it let our several soft little loon calls I assume to reunite with its parents. Realizing this young loon would have little chance of surviving without adults to care for it, this encounter was was a sad one for me. Fortunately, after posting the above photo on Facebook many of my followers informed me that they have observed adult loons leave their babies for hours at a time only to come back to them later. This new knowledge gave me hope that this cute little ball of fluff may eventually meet up with its parents later that afternoon.

IMG 3321 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Staying in the Algonquin area until sometime in October should afford me plenty more opportunities to photograph the Common Loon.**

I plan on many more days of loon watching in Algonquin Park. I hope to also put together a vlog featuring the various video clips I have captured of loon behaviour including their eerie calls. I look forward to sharing more images of the Common Loon in future blog posts as I continue to have more close encounters with this iconic bird.

Good birding,
Paul

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Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020

For those of you who followed me last summer, you may remember I spent several months at the family cottage in Orillia, Ontario. An escape from city-life while being surrounded by nature from July to September was something I was very fortunate to experience. Being able to work anywhere there is an internet connection is what I love most about my day job plus I have the flexibility to make my own hours and get out and enjoy nature as much as I do.

IMG 4070 1 2 Vibrant Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **Lions Lookout in Huntsville, Ontario is a great place to take in a sunset.**

This year, I am doing something similar but have relocated even farther north until the fall. Wanting to explore new areas, I made the decision late in 2019 to buy a travel trailer. Despite going about things in an unusual order things so far are working out great. Early last year I began researching travel trailers. Not wanting anything too big I narrowed down what I wanted but had not settled on a brand or model.

IMG 0531 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **As part of a study that began in the 1970s, over 500 Painted Turtles in Wold Howl Pond in Algonquin Provincial Park have had their shells numbered with white paint**.

In November I found what looked like the perfect campground one that had seasonal sites available, catered to older and professional campers, and was surrounded by lakes, rivers, and plenty of hiking trails to explore. A quiet campground was really important for me as I would have to work from my trailer and didn’t want to listen to unruly 20-somethings partying all hours of the night. After all, I was that age once and would not have wanted to be neighbours with me and my roommates when we were in our 20s.

IMG 0633 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **I found this Great Blue Heron in the Beaver Pond while hiking at Algonquin Provincial Park.**

Having never seen the campground or even been in the area, I paid for a seasonal site based on pictures on the campground’s website and speaking with the owner. Now I needed to decide on a trailer. After looking at several makes and models at local dealerships, I finally settled on one in December. I ended up getting a 20 ft model with a queen-size bed, full bathroom, and small kitchen. The small kitchen was not an issue for me as I planned on doing most of my cooking outside anyway as spending more time outdoors was the whole reason for this venture. What impressed me most about this small trailer was the abundance of storage something I would need for all of my gear plus work-related items. Owning a small SUV, I can’t actually tow my trailer but do intend to get a tow vehicle at some point thus I arranged spring delivery with the dealer I purchased from.

IMG 4292 Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **Stubb’s Falls in Arrowhead Provincial Park was a great place to visit.**

Spring of 2020 arrived and while in the midst of preparing to make the move north COVID-19 hit. With campgrounds closed my delivery date was now up in the air. I didn’t let this bother me as I really try not to stress about things I have no control over plus the health of the world is more important than me taking delivery of a trailer. Finally, after a few months of uncertainty, the campground was allowed to open to seasonal campers and I had my trailer delivered only a few weeks later than originally scheduled.

IMG 0681 Edit 3 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **A large meadow full of Hawkweed behind the campground attracts a wide variety of butterflies like this Canadian Tiger Swallowtail.**

I have now been living and working from the trailer since the 3rd week of May and absolutely love it. I still make return trips to London to see my Dad and help with his yard work but plan on being up here most of the time until the campground closes in October. So where am I? Well to maintain some privacy I won’t say exactly but will say I am only a short drive from Algonquin Provincial Park. The area is full of lakes, rivers, and hiking trails to explore as well as other provincial parks only a short drive away. I’ve had the chance to do some exploring on my days off and after work and have enjoyed getting out paddling once again this year, something I got back into last summer.

IMG 4158 59 60 Default Edit Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **The Lookout Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park may be my new favourite place to watch the sun set.**

I look forward to a season full of new adventures and discovering new areas. Up until last month, I had never visited Algonquin Provincial Park before and am now in love with this breathtaking piece of land. I hope to see and photograph new species and have already seen my first ever wild moose and Black-backed Woodpecker. Taking time to blog more regularly and share the stories and images of my adventures as they happen is something I plan on as well. With a full season ahead of me, I am excited about the endless opportunities and time in nature that will transpire over the coming months. I hope you will all continue to follow along on my adventures despite the fact I won’t be blogging and sharing images from Southwestern Ontario for a few months. I know many of you visit this area regularly and I hope you will be interested in hearing of my experiences as I explore this vast landscape.

Good birding,
Paul