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!