Posts Tagged ‘Wildflower photagraphy’
WILDFLOWER FACT AND FICTION WITH HEATHER STARRS
Heather Starrs and MacGregor Point Provincial Park are well acquainted with each other.
After completing her Honours Degree in Biology, with a focus on wildlife biology and ecology, at Trent U and then earning her Teaching Certificate at Brock University, she worked at MacGregor from 1988-1997, and again in 1999.
Heather was responsible for all Visitor Centre programming, summer students and volunteers. She assisted with the organization of the first Huron Fringe Birding Festival, spent 6 years on the board of Friends of MacGregor, and was manager of the Huron Fringe Shop for several years and editor of the Spotted Turtle Newsletter.
Heather’s programming interests included carnivorous plants, spiders and wildflowers. Currently she spends her time with her “four wonderful children,” and volunteers at the school and church.
When the weather allows she likes to venture out on her bike with her camera to search for local wildflowers to add to her photo collection.
Columbine
Here’s how Heather describes her event – WILDFLOWERS: HISTORICAL FACTS & FICTION – B13 – 1:30 pm – Friday, May 30
Legends and superstitions are attached to many common and not so common plants found at MacGregor. Our walk will introduce you to some and their stories. My hike will be leisurely and informal. I have stories, poems, mythology, medicinal and biological information for many wildflowers we may see as well as a few herbs, trees and shrubs. I welcome any stories and information that others on the hike might like to share.”
Stripped Coralroot
Dwarf Lake Iris
Red Trillium
Yellow Lady-Slipper
REGISTER NOW – http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org
https://www.facebook.com/HuronFringeBirdingFestival
birdfest@rogers.com
A BOTANY AND BIRDING DAY WITH DOUG
A member of the Bruce Birding Club, the Saugeen Shores Camera Club and a past president of The Friends of MacGregor, Doug Pedwell has also participated in the Huron Fringe Birding Festival as an event leader and committee member for quite a few years now.
Since retiring from teaching Doug has indulged his lifelong passions of nature study, photography and travel. He can often be found wandering the back roads of Grey and Bruce Counties, camera in hand, searching for that perfect shot of flora, fauna, birds and landforms. You will definitely feel that a day with Doug in the field is informative, rewarding and a whole lot of fun. Doug will be leading three events at this year’s Festival. Here is his description of what he expects to accomplish on Botany and Birding in the South Bruce Peninsula.
A new concept is being offered this year – Botany and Birding in South Bruce Peninsula. It begins with afternoon sessions at 1:30 pm and runs into the evening. Travelling to the area around Wiarton, the group will head towards Skinner’s Bluff and Bruce’s Caves. These properties of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority are homes to a variety of ecosystems which will provide us opportunities to encounter some spring wildflowers and some uncommon ferns.
Walking Fern
We will follow sections of the Bruce Trail along the top of the Niagara Escarpment in the Skinner’s Bluff area, which will give us some great views of Colpoy’s Bay as well as a chance to see and hear some forest birds. From there we will head to Bruce’s Caves for some botany and geology. This area is a fern lover’s paradise and also contains a number of spring wildflowers.
Spring Beauty
Walking in this area ranges from medium to difficult. The Talus slope at Bruce’s Caves is the most difficult portion.
Brewer’s Blackbird
From Bruce’s Caves we head to Wiarton where we will have a bite to eat. Bring your supper or you can get something at Tim Horton’s where we will make a pit stop for a civilized washroom.
Bluebird
We then bird our way back towards MacGregor Point Park via Wiarton Lagoons, Isaac Lake, Sky Lake, Red Bay, Oliphant, and Sauble Beach. All of which are local birding hotspots. We should see a variety of waterfowl and songbirds, grassland birds, nesting Bald Eagles and if they return, Piping Plovers.
Wild Ginger
(All photographs courtesy of Doug Pedwell. Follow our Blog. We will be posting more of Doug’s photos as well as comments on his other events over the next few weeks.)
REGISTER NOW FOR ALL OF DOUGS EVENTS: http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org
A37 – 1:30 pm – BOTANY & BIRDING IN SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA – Monday, May 26.This all day event returns to the Park by 8:45 pm. (Moderate, car-pool, bring lunch, snacks and water)
B4 – 7:30 am – DOWN & DIRTY – WILDFLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY – Thursday, May 29.
B10 – 6:45 am – NATURE & LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY IN SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA – Thursday, May 30. (Difficult, car-pool, bring lunch) Bring DSLR camera & accessories.
HURON FRINGE BIRDING FESTIVAL – ONE OF THE TOP 100 FESTIVALS IN ONTARIO
MAY 23 to MAY 26 & MAY 29 to JUNE 1
MacGREGOR POINT PROVINCIAL PARK, PORT ELGIN, ONTARIO
http://www.facebook.com/HuronFringeBirdingFestival
