Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area

With the return of warmer weather, many local hiking adventures await us.  This week we enjoyed a leisurely hike thorugh Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area.  It is located along Catfish Creek with the entrance and parking off Sparta Line (47502 Sparta Line).  The area offers hiking rails through the wooded section, prairie grass, around the pond, and along the creek - VARIETY.  There were Canada Geese nesting in the pond with its many ‘islands’, and the occasional Hooded Merganser swimming and diving.  Two guys were trying their luck at fishing in the stream. Frogs in the pond sang their welcome as we passed and blue dragonfly skittered along the trail.  The Spring Beauty were in bloom in the woods along the bank of the creek. I love Spring!  The trees have not yet leafed out – it can only get better and I’ll be back again to take a shaded walk.

This 208 acre site was acquired by Catfish Creek Conservation Area in 2000, and with the efforts and donations of several groups and individuals has been restored to its natural heritage.  I remember going through the area in my teenage years back when it was a gravel pit and locals used to dump garbage/old appliances in the area.  This is a dramatic positive change – one that will be enjoyed for generations.  Go alone, with a partner, with the kids or with the dog – all will enjoy.

Springwater Maple Syrup Festival



Good to the last lick!







A quieter day but still open.

Kudos to all those involved in the superb organization of the Springwater Maple Syrup Festival.  March break offered a great opportunity to take the kids to Springwater to enjoy the open air and a entertaining description of maple syrup from tales of its beginnings in Native folk lore, the pioneer method and finally our present day method.  Try your hand at carrying sap buckets dangling from a yoke, sample the maple syrup, take a hay ride through the forest, enjoy pancakes with fresh maple syrup, or purchase some maple syrup products. Those involved were informative, entertaining and eager to engage their audience.  March 26th is the final performance - don't miss this one!
GREAT NEWS - NOW EXTENDED TO APRIL 3RD!

Tundra Swans - Aylmer Wildlife Management Area





Aylmer Wildlife Management Area

 The Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, located behind the Ontario Police College is a key stopover for the annual migration of the Tundra Swans.  There are several viewing stands which on sunny days like today attract spectators with long range, mega zoom cameras. During my visit hundreds of swans milled about the water and fields resting, eating, and exercising in preparation for their continued journey to their northern breeding grounds (between western Hudson Bay and Alaska).  Yes, even with an inexpensive digital camera you can capture a great moment.  If you don't have the long range camera, try the lower viewing station which is wheelchair accessible - watch out for the icy path though.  If, when you go, there is no/little ice on the pond, then trudge on back to the furthest viewing station.  You can drive back, but the exercise does us all some good.  Enjoy!

Hiking alternative - Timkin Complex, St. Thomas

Mandy with baby Gerritt in backpack.
I pushed Drew in the stroller.

Eureka - Home Sweet Home.

Having just returned from a wonderful vacation in Hawaii, I was struck by the beauty of our very own sunsets.  On Oahu, one evening we rushed to the west coast  to view the setting of the sun and get that perfect picture.  I had to chuckle when this was one of our first sunsets right here from our back yard.  This, amongst other things, set me on my adventure in blogging - singing the praises of what we have right here at home.  We need to look in our own back yard!  I have decided to become more aware of what Elgin County has to offer.
Join me in posting current month and next month possible adventures/events so that we can all be more actively involved in Elgin.