Return of the Swans Festival

One of my favourite signs of spring is the return of the tundra swans. Each year thousands of tundra swans breed, nest, and raise their families in Canada's High Arctic. They span the far north from the Yukon to the Ungava Peninsula on Hudson Bay's east shore. They travel south in small family groups to winter at Chesapeake Bay on the eastern United States coast. In spring, they mass for the 6500km journey north, passing through Lambton and Huron Counties in southern Ontario. I often saw them in flight when I lived in Huron County but the best place for a good look at these majestic birds is in Lambton. Just south of Grand Bend near The Pinery Provincial Park is the Thedford Bog. Now drained for agriculture, this massive wetland area is a traditional stop for swans, geese, and ducks on the migratory path north. They rest and feed on last year's crops in the wet fields. In a good season, 10,000 swans might be gathered along Greenway Road behind Lambton County Museum. It is an amazing and beautiful sight! Also, the tundra swans have a lovely sound as they rest and chat!

So far this year, the Thedford Bog is mostly dry but we saw around 500 swans resting and feeding in a flooded field along Highway 21 just south of Northfield. The Lambton County Museum has wonderful displays and art on exhibit from March 14 to April 5 highlighting the 31st Return of the Swans Festival. The museum posts daily updates on the tundra swan migration. I hope you get visit them this year, and enjoy it as much as I do. Have fun!

www.returnoftheswans.com

The Pinery Provincial Park has great trails through the pine-oak savannah native to the area.

Tundra swans at rest in flooded farm field.

More swans feeding, resting and chatting. Canada geese join in.

A sure sign of spring!

Durham Conservation Area

Berries Add Colour to Winter Landscape

In December I moved from Owen Sound to Durham. This provides me with wonderful opportunities to explore a new community. Durham is small, friendly and interesting. The Saugeen River is a prominent feature all through the town. I am enjoying walking along the river, and with recent winter storms, I expect to be snowshoeing or skiing the trails. These are easily accessible from my new home.

Cedar Bush Trails

Durham Conservation Area, managed by Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, runs mostly along the north shore of the Saugeen for nearly 3 km. Trails meander through cedar lowlands, river flats and the campground. McGowan Falls, the 2 dams, the railway walking bridge, and the old gunpit are highlights. In summer, the beach area is popular. In winter, the long open slope above the beach is great for tobogganing. Playing in the falls is best enjoyed in summer. Just now, it is a wonder of natural ice sculptures.

Ice Pancakes Swirl below Lower Dam

The historic Durham Road, a main early settlers' route into our area, forms part of the northern boundary of Durham Conservation Area. The Gunpit Trail is named for a musket firing range that was active here until 1913.The Grey Militia practiced rifle drills in this area, firing into targets on the steep hillside. McGowan Falls is named for the grist and flour mill built onsite in 1888. Here the Saugeen River cuts through the limestone bedrock, creating pools, channels and a small cave. Full of history and beauty, there is plenty at Durham Conservation Area toexplore.

McGowan Falls

McGowan Falls and Upper Dam

Welcome to Durham!

Beach Area above Lower Dam

 I hope you will come out and enjoy this fascinating river park and trails for all seasons!

Rockford Water Filters, Owen Sound, ON

In the heart of the 200-hectare Inglis Falls Conservation Area, hidden underground, are the historic Rockford Water Filters. These slow sand filters, constructed in 1910-12, provided potable water to the City of Owen Sound from 1912 through 1969. The cavernous filtration plant and its operations are fascinating local lore unknown to many area residents. You are invited to see and hear for yourself on Thursday, Nov.13, 10am.     Join Grey Sauble Conservation and Grey-Bruce Adventours staff at Inglis Falls for this exclusive 2-hour walking adventure. Cost is $10 per person. Photographers: This is a great opportunity to shoot a unique bit of our heritage!

The Rockford Filters consist of 2 massive concrete boxes, roofed and grass-covered. Each contains natural filtering materials in layers of sand, fine gravel and coarser gravel totaling a depth of 80cm. Water from the Sydenham River was directed into the system, filtered through, and piped to a 5-million gallon reservoir on Owen Sound’s east side. From there it gravity-fed to homes, business and industry. Over 400 men worked to pour concrete and lay pipe during construction.

When the filters were operating, they were cleaned by hand. For 2 full days, 3 men skimmed the dirty sand, 2 men ran wheelbarrows, and 1 man operated the sand washer. The clean sand was spread on a concrete pad to dry. It was then wheelbarrow-fed back into the filter through overhead grates. The cleaning schedule varied depending on water and weather conditions but cleaning was sometimes necessary every 10 days. This labour-intensive process would be very daunting for most of us today.

The Inglis Falls area offers many glimpses into our cultural, natural, and geological past. The tour will include a look at other industries on site, as well as the glacial potholes. We hope you will join us in exploring these special Grey County treasures. 

Post Event: 15 people attended event despite the snow. Everyone learned lots and had fun. Several photographers got to practice with shutter speeds and low light conditions.

Doors Open in June may be your next opportunity to visit this cool bit of Grey County history.

Inglis Falls, Snowy November Day

Glacial Pothole near Inglis Falls

Krista McKee, Grey Sauble Conservation, Provides Intro and Welcome

Part of Sydenham River Disappears into Underground Drainage

Entrance to Filters above Inglis Falls

Massive Underground Water Filter Cavern

Fun with Long Shutter Speeds- Note Flashlight Trail

Overhead Grate Allowed Clean Sand to Be Added to Filterbed

On the Sand

Metcalfe Rock in Autumn

Metcalfe Rock is a favourite destination for me in all seasons. The crevices are fun to explore. The views are spectacular. The Bruce Trail, side trails and Kolapore Trails all pass nearby for great hiking. I happily spend whole days investigating this amazing area. Here are some recent photos to whet your appetite and if you want to join me in an adventure, be sure to contact me. Watch for my upcoming story on cross-country skiing at Kolapore in the Winter Issue of Niagara Escarpment Views mag. Happy Adventouring!

Hanover Community Trails

On a lovely fall afternoon last week, I was thrilled to get exploring Hanover's trails along the Saugeen River. Although the colours are passed peak, it is still very beautiful and peaceful along the river. I hope you enjoy these images and take yourself out for a walk soon. It is so good for body, mind, and spirit!
Helping you walk lighter in your body and stronger on the earth,
Sandra J.

Thanksgiving at Rock Glen, Ontario PT2

Thanksgiving at Rock Glen, Ontario PT1