Algonquin fall colours are breathtaking to behold.
But take a look at this photo; clearly, our secret’s out.
So if you’d like to enjoy the wonder of Algonquin’s autumn, or you’re looking for some solitude, read on.
Tag: Algonquin
A mouse, a beast, and a ghost: who’s using Pinery’s ecopassage?
In today’s post comes from Alistair MacKenzie, Discovery Supervisor at Pinery Provincial Park, shares one of his parks exciting new conservation technologies: ecopassages.
I have a lot to thank my parents for, not the least of which is for introducing me to nature as a young child.
When my family immigrated to Canada, we began exploring Ontario and seeking out opportunities to witness natural phenomena and wild species. Soon, this behaviour led us to Algonquin Provincial Park, and we started making frequent pilgrimages there in all seasons.
Continue reading A mouse, a beast, and a ghost: who’s using Pinery’s ecopassage?
The cat and the Mudbug: a guide to using iNaturalist
Cellphones have changed our lives in many ways. It seems like there’s an app available to cater to our every need, from baking to banking and all things in between.
In Ontario Parks, we generally encourage green time over screen time, however there’s one app we believe every visitor should have on their phone.
Continue reading The cat and the Mudbug: a guide to using iNaturalist
“What the heck is that?!”: when to #AskanOPNaturalist
Today’s post comes from David LeGros, a park naturalist with the Ontario Parks Discovery Program.
“I’ve never seen one of those” is among my favorite sentences.
There’s a scary thing that happens the longer you look into nature. The more you find, the more you find out that you don’t know that much. It can be an intimidating feeling, but also, an exciting feeling.
Your mind is about to be blown.
Repeatedly.
Continue reading “What the heck is that?!”: when to #AskanOPNaturalist
Snapping Turtles
Today’s post comes from David LeGros, a Natural Heritage Education Specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park.
I spent most of my youth in rubber boots and obsessed with nature. I was always looking for interesting animals and plants.
There are a few creatures then, just like now, that always inspire me.
Top of my list: the Snapping Turtle.
Just keep swimming: the perilous journey of turtle hatchlings
Today’s post comes from Olivia Pomajba, a summer student at Rondeau Provincial Park.
A turtle hatchling making its way to water reminds us of the perilous journey we all face in life.
The world must seem incredibly vast to these centimetre-long hatchlings, and they face many challenges.
Continue reading Just keep swimming: the perilous journey of turtle hatchlings
The Spotted Salamander, harbinger of spring
Salamanders are iconic and influential members of northern forest communities. As one of the most abundant vertebrates in eastern North American forests, salamanders are considered “keystone species” because of their disproportionate roles as predators and prey in regulating food webs, nutrient cycling, and contributing to ecosystem resilience-resistance.
In addition to fulfilling key ecological functions, amphibians are our modern-day “canaries in the coal mine,” serving as a measure of environmental health.
Continue reading The Spotted Salamander, harbinger of spring
Keeping up with the Canada Jay
Today’s blog post comes from bird researchers Alex Sutton and Koley Freeman, PhD candidates at the University of Guelph.
In the world of Canada Jays, winter means one thing: it’s breeding season!
Canada Jays are common in Algonquin Provincial Park. Continuing a 55 year-old tradition, a dedicated team of researchers is monitoring breeding pairs. This is the longest study of its kind in the world!
With each passing year, more is learned about the breeding behaviour and life history of these remarkable birds.
Winter ticks and hairless moose
Each year, biologists in Algonquin Provincial Park hear this question from at least one park visitor: “Why did the moose I saw have bald patches?”
In a bad year, there will be many inquiries.
March Break 2020
During the long winter months, many of us get less “Vitamin N” than usual. Yet contact with nature has been found to lower blood pressure, strengthen immune system, help prevent disease, and reduce stress levels.
Keen to spend time in nature with your family this March Break? Here’s a list of fun happenings across the province: