My car has blown its transmission and has been towed to my mechanics to see if she can be revived. In the meantime, my friend Nigel has graciously said he will drive us to our hiking destinations until I get it sorted out. Thanks, Nigel!
Rouge Valley Lookout
We decided to head out to Rouge Valley Urban Park to a trail on the north side of the park that has a viewing platform so we can see the fall colours from up high. Neither of us had been here before and were looking forward to a good hike in a new park.
Rouge Valley Trail
After we visited the park, we took some backroads towards home. As we drove we spotted a farmhouse and barn that we’ve photographed a few times before.
Thompson Farm and Fence
Parking on the side of the road we walked away from the farm along the fence to find a clear angle looking back towards the barn. I noticed the overgrown vegetation along the fence and decided I liked that composition best.
Farm Landscape
When we got back in the car and started to drive past the farm, this view made us stop to grab a couple more shots before heading home.
I’m back in Tobermory for my annual fall solo trip. I’m here a little later than usual (Because of my trip to Lisbon) and it looks to be a really nice weekend for some hikes along the Bruce. I’m only here for two nights so I’m limited to only one major hike and that’s today. So off I go to cover a little bit more ground on the Bruce Trail.
Leaves and Trees
Hiking out to the Bruce Trail from the campsite I had a choice to make. Right or Left? I’ve hiked the trail to the left so I today I’m heading to the right to head south toward Stormhaven. Such an ominous name for a backcountry camping area. At least that’s all I think it is. 😉
Which way
The plan was to hike past Stormhaven and take a break at Halfway Dump Side trail before heading back to the campsite. That would put my hike at just over 11km.
View From the Bruce Trail Cliffs
The Bruce Peninsula always has epic views that go on for miles and this section has so many opportunities to appreciate those views, over and over again. Of course we can’t forget the little things that reside here in the forest – the mighty mushroom! 😀
Forest floor
After my hike and filled up on a hearty dinner I started thinking that I needed to get some night shots before I left for the weekend. With my campsite so close to the lake I got my photo gear together and hiked out to a spot that gave me the best view of the Milky Way.
Reflections of the Night Sky
It was a beautiful clear night and the Milky Way shone with all her glory. It’s so crazy that we have such amazing views from the earth out into the Universe and so many people don’t get a chance to experience it because they live in a light polluting city. I could stay here forever just looking up into the night sky.
I joined a guided National Park hike mid-morning at Cameron Lake. I had never taken this particular trail mostly because I didn’t even know it existed.
Well! I’m so glad I decided to join the hike. Why? Because it was all about my favourite thing – mushrooms!
A Line of Red
Orange Glow
There is so much variety on this trail. I loved every single moment I was there. The guides must have gotten annoyed at one point as I think I photographed almost every single mushroom that we found.
One of the things I decided to do while I was up here camping was to shoot a few different lifestyle shots. Although it’s not the typical thing I post here I decided to share with you one of the photos I created.
A Walk
This particular shot was quite challenging. I’m barefoot in the photo and that rocky path was pretty darn sharp. After a large number of shots and walking back and forth more than a dozen times, I finally got something I liked. What do you think?
Sunset View
After the shoot, I had to boot it over to Singing Sands where I joined a guided hike from the National Park Service. The hike was supposed to be a night hike but it was still a little early in the season for it to be dark out. We learned a number of things about how night animals use their other senses to find their own and to hunt. It was quite a lovely walk and a great learning experience.
After the hike I took the shot above. I lucked out with someone posing in a good spot as the sun went down behind the tree line.
I started off the morning with a great hike around Cyprus Lake. I stopped about halfway around to take the photo below, which I believe if you look straight across the lake that is where my campsite is. (Not that you can see it or anything…I’m just guessing.)
Mid Hike Rest
As I approached the ¾ mark on the trail I found a perfect little bench to take a rest with no real views of the lake but a good place for communing with the trees.
Sit and Rest
After lunch and a long afternoon chill out session my plan was to head to Singing Sands for a sunset shoot followed by dinner and then back to Singing Sands for some night shots.
Fringed Gentian
Well, the golden hour was definitely golden. The sunset, however, was not so dramatic. Actually, photographically speaking, it was boring. So I didn’t bother with showing you those photos. Instead…
Venus Setting
After dinner was when the show really happened. As the sky became fully dark, the stars started popping out one-by-one. And then the Milkyway rose up to greet me. If I remember my stars correctly that bright star casting its reflection on the water is Venus.
Ah…what a night. I could have stayed there forever but sleep was needed as tomorrow was another day to spend with nature.
I’m back at my favourite place in Ontario – Cyprus Lake campground located in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. I’m here for the next 5 days! There is some rain in the forecast but I’m hoping for mostly clear skies and lots of campfires.
Sun flares
And I’m just a short walk away from this.
I love messing around with sun flares in the trees. And yes I purposely left it slightly crooked because I loved how this looked. I can do that because I’m the artist…lol
Late Day Meditation
Late day mediations on the shores of the lake are always the best spots. I was on my way out to claim a spot for the sunset when I happened to pass this person communing with nature.
Cyprus Lake Sunset
At first, it didn’t look like it was going to be a spectacular sunset but then this happened. Out of nowhere. I love when the skies come out to greet you like this. It reminds us that we must be patient because sometimes there is great stuff waiting for us.
Night Sky at Cyprus Lake
And for the final hurrah of the day, I went out for some astrophotography near the same spot I was at for sunset. Although the clouds were coming in they didn’t block the entire Milky Way. This was a test run for when I venture out to Singing Sands when the skies clear.
