Annual Algonquin Report PART 2

[Ramble]

The next morning I went on a little wander in the maples after the customary visit to the Thunder Box. I came across this guy, gleaming in morning dew.

 

 

The high pressure system now in place made for a cool day and the fishing slowed down. We had a plan to paddle the islands of Booth and fish along the way. It was a slow morning, and finding fish of size was a tall order to be sure.

 

 

We stopped on the island closest to McCarthy Creek and while dad made some tea for us I wandered, yet again, with the camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention the blueberries were out in fine form?

 

 

 

 

We drank our tea and had a snack before moving on. We fished around and caught a few smallies (which were all released) while at the same time avoiding the wind, though it was fairly light. We meandered back towards camp, and stopped at about 5pm for dinner in a little bay.

 

 

The sunset was spectacular as usual, and we watched the moon rise over the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we set off for the Opeongo river, which is a trip that never disappoints. It’s a beautiful river, in a beautiful section of the park. The high water was even more noticeable as we entered the shallow rapid sections. Water usually ankle deep was around my knees, and the current was impressive.

 

 

Our unique mode of portaging held constant even up the Opeongo.

 

 

 

We didn’t get all the way to Annie bay like usual, but we made it most of the way up, and checked a few of the portages just for the walk in the bush.

 

A Portage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We turned around and headed back down the river, without grazing a rock. The high water had its benefits.

 

 

 

As always we convinced a few fish that our top water lures were worth a closer look.

 

 

 

 

Once out of the river we headed out on the main lake for an evening fish after a bite to eat.

 

We found this little guy to be particularly aggressive.

 

 

We also saw a few of these.

 

 

The evening proved to be one of the nicest we had during the week, and did our mental state wonders…this is the real reason we travel to the park.

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we set out one another of my favorite trips to Rye Grass lake. A small bog lake full of unique bog plants and other wildlife. I could spend hours exploring this place.

 

The portage in.

 

Hemlock stand.

 

Jewel Weed

 

Once up to the lake we could see the weather was brewing up something a little more serious then we had thought.

 

 

So we headed back down to the main lake to wait out whatever was coming. Turns out it was one impressive thunderstorm. The rain came and so did the lightning. The 1st wave of serious weather only grazed us. The white pine we were under provided protection from the rain, and we sat on the Kevlar canoe (insulator) just be sure we didn’t experience any unwanted voltage.

 

 

 

 

 

The lighting was hitting the hills in front of us in a most spectacular way. The thunder was load and rumbling while the cell moved through. The clouds were full of electricity, and we were glad not to be out on the open lake.

 

After the storm clouds had passed the sky cleared somewhat and we decided to head up too Rye Grass before the next batch moved in.

 

Once up their we wandered around and I went snap happy with the camera. Pitcher plants were out in full force. They are defiantly a unique and beautiful plant…did I mention they are carnivorous? Their “pitchers” fill with a bit of water, guard hairs on the upper part of the pitcher prevent prey from escaping. Insects drawn in by a surgery secretion, fall in and drown, then the plant draws the nutrients from the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the plants had a visitor which was exploiting the sugary secretions.

 

White Water Lilies

 

 

After a romp around the bog the next storm was moving in so we headed back down to the lower lake. We resumed our position on the canoe under the pine and watched the light show again.

 

 

 

This storm hit us bang on. It rained so hard we couldn’t see across the lake. The tree provided little protection from the rain at this point and after a short time we were soaked through. The lightning was hitting the hills across the lake, and the hill we were on. We saw lightning and heard the thunder at the same time. We were impressed yet again, and wanted to see more…perhaps a little further away.

 

After this cell passed, a smaller one came through, rumbling and grumbling raining as it went. Then the sky cleared again. There was almost no wind while all this was going on. So as soon as it cleared we decided to head back towards camp to dry out and warm up.

 

We were wet.

 

The trip back was uneventful and beautiful.

[ccmtcanada]

Wow....the amazing pics keep on coming....the plant/fungus life up there is very interesting to say the least....off to read part 3....

[Leecher]

Awesome pictures....the scenery shots are so beautiful

 

It just keeps on getting better and better

Thanks for sharing

Leechman

[Pachone]

Awesome report!!

 

Really makes you appreciate the nature... I feel like getting one last weekend in over there before it freezes over.

[Joey]

Part 1 was fantastic, Part II is even better, can't wait to read Part III.

 

Seems you have a mushroom fetish

 

Joey

[mikeh]

awesome pictures again, Do you know the type/name of that beetle,very cool looking? also , What type of camera are you using?

Edited August 28, 2008 by mikeh

[Ramble]

Thanks for all the comments. The "beetle" is the shed exoskeleton of a dragonfly nymph, and the camera is a Nikon Cool Pix i've had for a few years.

 

-R-

[yo_guy]

Excellant report Ramble on!!!

[Paully]

That first picture of the mushroom is amazing... looks almost good enough to eat!

[Guest Johnny Bass]

Great report! Some great pictures too! Those Pitcher plants are very interesting. Interesting to study the evolution of that plant. Thanks for sharing.