Chickadee Photo Art

Atikaki Wilderness Prov. Park & Jackson’s Lodge Outpost

// July 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Atikaki Wilderness Provincial Park, Birds of Prey, Boreal Forest, Otters, Scenic

** New photos gallery has been updated. . .

It started with a plane ride arranged through Shaun Jackson of Adventure Air over the boreal forrests of north eastern Manitoba and into the Atikaki Wilderness Provincial Park to Wapeskapek Lake on the Gammon River.  Our own private island cabin (Jackson’s Lodge Wapeskapek Outpost) was home for the next three days. Everything about this trip was awesome! Hot weather, an evening thunderstorm, great pickerel (walleye) fishing, wildlife sightings and terrific accomodations with everything we required and more.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well-equipped the “outpost” was – hot/cold running water, indoor shower, a great variety of cooking utensils and dishes, propane fridge, stove with oven and a freezer.  My son and fiance sighted a moose and calf swimming in the river, we had river otters hanging out at our boat dock, a clear view of nesting bald eagles with one chick right at the water’s edge, a variety of beautiful forrest song birds and even garter snakes basking on the heated bedrock.  The rasperries and blueberries were just beginning to ripen and they were abundant so the next groups in will have plenty to pick and enjoy.

Bald Eagle with Pickerel ( Walleye )

Fishing was excellent and as much as I enjoyed the fishing I have to say I equally enjoyed taking photos of the Bald Eagles, Otters , songbirds and scenery.  It truly is wilderness and it was a most exciting trip. Warning! Warning!  Bring lots of bug spray – that was the only drawback of being in the back country and the black flies are relentless.

River Otter enjoying fish remains

Gammon River Rapids enterting Wapeskapek Lake

We saw a few groups of wilderness canoe enthusiasts camped on the mossy bedrock and paddling downstream on the Gammon River.   We weren’t sure where they started off from but that would be a really exciting canoe trip for the more experienced paddlers.  Adventure Air may fly groups in and drop them off – not sure but one could enquire about this.

Canadian Shield rock cliffs lined the river in many places. The scenery all along the river was truly beautiful.

Canadian Shield Bedrock on Gammon River

Below:  The view from our cabin – now that’s a view one could use more often!

Room with a view! Wapeskapek Lake Outpost.

From the air we could see this group of wilderness canoe enthusiasts.

Heavy rains have made the rivers creep up onto the land.

High waters on Gammon River

Lastly – our island getaway.  Thanks Shaun Jackson for a very memorable wilderness experience!

Wapeskapek Lake Outpost

Enjoy!

Sharon

Great Horned Owl II

// May 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Birds of Manitoba, Birds of Prey, Boreal Forest, Whiteshell Provincial Park

I actually walked by this owl as it sat motionless on the ground and so beautifully blended into the still brown spring grasses.  It was not injured and moved into this mantling position.  I have heard they sometimes nest on the ground – perhaps this owl was doing just that.  The next photo is the same owl sitting straight up – the position it was in when I went by it.

The following photo of a Great Horned Owl in flight.  What struck me was the size of its feet and the light colouring looking at it from below.  This owl had three owlets, one was found dead by city workers, one remained in a tree and one was thriving on the ground.  I was told this owl “thumped” a person from behind when they tried to put the owlet from the ground back up in a nearby tree. Apparently they had been advised to do so by someone at the wildlife rescue shelter.  I was also told the person had claw marks on their back and the owls talons had gone right through his clothing. Even though her owlet was on the ground she was still certainly watching over it.

Next, two owlets showing different stages of plumage.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Red Tailed Hawk

// January 5th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Birds of Manitoba, Birds of Prey, Interlake

The Red Tailed Hawk is common in the countryside of southern Manitoba and is often seen perched on poles or trees alongside field areas.  They are large birds of prey who would feed on small animals such as rabbits, mice, gophers and the like.  Their belly area shows white plumage while the back and tail are a rusty brown colour.

As I was taking these photos  I thought the hawk was going to take to flight as it suddenly turned toward me, lifted its back end and stood up a little straighter.  However, it appears it needed to do what hawks do . . . throw a projectile “poop” out. Oh well, I thought I would post this unusual photo anyway.  See below.

After the hawk did its business it took to flight.

Enjoy!

Sharon