Chickadee Photo Art

… And on this farm . . .

// March 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, Interlake

They had a cow . . .

as well as a goat, numerous cats, a few dogs, chickens and rabbits.   A beautiful sunny Saturday in late March necessitated a trip out to the country and north to Hecla Island.  These photos were taken at a farm in the Riverton area.   It looks like spring is arriving early  here in Manitoba so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

I love goats and remember them from my early years at the farm.  We would get goat’s milk and butted by the Billies.  They loved eating hard peppermint candies which my uncle would always have handy in his pockets.  Note their eyes with the horizontal pupil.

Enjoy !

~Sharon

Hecla Island Part 2

// June 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, Interlake, Lake Winnipeg, Mammals, Manitoba Tourist Destination, Red Fox, Scenic

We are re-visiting Hecla Island once again. A beautiful red fox was hunting in a clearing just off the highway. In a small marsh on one of the back roads, Solitary Sandpipers were happily snatching up food with their very long beaks. Another view from the Quarry clearly shows the layers of sediment that consist of dolomitic limestone, shale and sandstone which are known as sedimentary rocks and formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

~Sharon

Hecla Island

// June 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, Interlake, Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba Tourist Destination, Scenic

Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park is about 2 hours north of Winnipeg on Hwy 8.   Hecla features a beautiful campground, a golf course and a newly renovated Gull Harbour resort. It’s a very picturesque spot in Manitoba surrounded by Lake Winnipeg and is home to many varieties of birds and animals including moose and wolves.  There are some easy walking trails through the marsh area and a wildlife viewing tower just a short walk off the highway.  A few years ago we saw a wolverine in that area. The stones along the shorelines are rounded and polished from the constant action of the waves.  Marsh Marigolds were in full bloom in the ditches giving them a splash of colour.

There is also the very historic Hecla Village which is still home to descendants of Icelandic settlers.  It seems a big friendly dog was acting as a village greeter this weekend as he/she loped down the highway right to the car.  I am not sure of this breed but it looked like the dog was wearing a winter hat with ear flaps.

You can easily visit on a day trip. Places to purchase provisions are limited so be sure to take whatever you will need with you for a picnic lunch.  Today’s blog features some of the scenery from the park.