After breakfast we drove north inland around 40 kilometers for an overnight stay at Jeremy's Bay Campground within the main Kejimkujik National Park, having had an excellent day at the Seaside section yesterday. Over the last few days one of the highlights has been the sheer abundance of Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies and I finally managed to photograph one as we arrived at the park around noon.
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| Canadian Tiger Swallowtail - Finally Snapped One! |
The park protects 381 sq. km of inland lakes and forests, and 22 sq. km of coastline which we visited yesterday. Kejimkujik is by far the most important national park for reptiles in Atlantic Canada. Five snake, three turtle, five salamander, one toad and seven frog species inhabit the slow-moving rivers, streams, shallow lakes, bogs and marshes of the park. Warm summers and moderate winters account for the abundance and diversity of these species.
After checking in to our overnight lot Dee and I took a 6Km hike along the shoreline of the lake. The Red Squirrels a constant companion for most of our walk and Dee discovered a Hairy Woodpecker peering out from his nest hole, how she spotted it I'll never know! Dragonflies were on the wing, as yet unidentified and in need of research, and while Dee was searching for frogs and toads, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird made a brief appearance.
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| Hairy Woodpecker |
We paused occasionally on the many benches overlooking the lake, spotting Common Loon, Arctic Tern and the usual Great Black-backed Gulls, however the highlight was the sudden appearance of a Broad-winged Hawk, which rose noisily over the treetops offering a few photo opportunities.
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| Broad-winged Hawk |
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening back at the RV enjoying the surroundings and as I've mentioned a few times when writing my blog it's sometimes worthwhile letting the wildlife come to you! Red Squirrel at your feet, along with a brief visit from Chipmunk, the abundant American Robin and Song Sparrow, plus a solitary Fox Sparrow and some real surprises too. The first was while searching the tree canopies when a bird I normally associate with the winter months in the UK suddenly appeared, not a Bohemian on this occasion but a Cedar Waxwing and two at that.
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| Record Shot of Cedar Waxwing High In The Canopy! |
After the delight of watching the Waxwings for a while the rest of the afternoon and evening was a pleasure around our campfire. The constant drumming of Woodpeckers and the odd glimpse of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Pileated Woodpecker, North Americas largest. Blue-Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Parula and the best until last, falling asleep to the mystic calls of Common Loon and the barking call of a Barred Owl, priceless!!
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| Brie Visit Of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
