Bush Log Index

2011

A Walk to Ghost Lake in Algonquin Park
Some photos from a hike through the Rana Lake Red Oak Nature Reserve in Algonquin Park, starting from the Brent Road at Rana Lake, walking to Pan Lake and then following the portage to Ghost Lake, passing the site of the old Brent fire tower en route

Trip Report - Exploring Lake Travers in Algonquin Park
A description, with photos and trip diary, of an exploration of Lake Travers in Algonquin Park.

Trip Log - Brent, Nipissing River, Catfish lake
Diary and Photos from a four day / three night solo caoe trip from Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park, up the Nipissing River, across through Luckless Lake to Catfish Lake and then back to Brent through Narrowbag Lake and the Petawawa River

Early Spring Along the Road to Lake Travers
A description with photographs of an early spring drive along the Achray Road (aka Barron Canyon Road) to Lake Travers in Algonquin Park

2010

Exploring the Pembroke Lumber Company Site
An account with photographs of a hike into the old mill site of the Pembroke Lumber Company on Lake Travers in Algonquin Park.

To High Falls and the Water Slide
An account, with photographs, of visiting High Falls and the water slide on the Barron River in Algonquin Park the hard way -- by canoe from High Falls Lake.

Trip Log: Brent to Catfish Lake
An account with picture of a solo canoe trip from Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park to Catfish Lake and return.

Return to the Brent Crater
An account with photos of exploring the Brent Crater Trail in Algonquin Park with particular emphasis on the limestone gully on Muskwa Creek and the cedar swamp.

Early Spring along the Basin Depot Road in Algonquin Park
An account with photographs of exploring two walking trails off the Basin Depot Road in Algonquin Park: the McGuey Farm and Bridge Dam Trail, and the High Falls Trail. Both of these trails lead to historic spots along the Little Bonnechere River.

The Hawk Trail
A gallery of photos from along the Hawk Trail in the Petawawa Research Forest

2009

Exploring Branstead Farm
An account with photographs of an exploration of the Branstead Farm in the Petawawa Research Forest.

Big Pines Trail
An account with photographs of a late fall hike around the Big Pines Trail in Algonquin Park.

A Public Archaeology Day at Basin Depot, Algonquin Park
On Saturday 2009 October 03, The Friends of Bonnechere Parks and the Ottawa chapter of the Ontario Archaeology Society hosted a Public Archaeology Day at Basin Depot in Algonquin Park. This was part of a week-long investigation of the site under the direction of licensed archaeologist Ken Swayze, extending the work done in previous excavations during the 1990s. Some photos from the day are presented here.

Do Black Bears Swim?
An account, with photographs of two black bears -- Ursus americanus -- swimming across Grand Lake in eastern Algonquin Park.

Turkey Vulture
Photos of a turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River near Point Alexander.

Day Trip into the Brent Crater
A description, with photos, of a day's exploration of the Brent Crater in Algonquin Park by canoe

The Debris at the Bottom of the Pond
A beaver dam on Maunsell Creek in the Petawawa Research Forest has burst and washed out Bypass Road. The partially drained beaver pond reveals evidence of the previous presence of some sort of building or structure. This page presents a gallery of photos of the revealed evidence.

The Story of a Canoe
Our reliable old 15 ft lightweight Grumman Canoe was severely damaged this past winter. While repairable, we realize with regret that we will probably never paddle it again. Its story is related here.

2008

Track and Tower Trail
An account, with photographs, of a late fall hike around the Track and Tower Trail in Algonquin Park.

Trip Log - Brent to Carl Wilson Lake
An account, with photographs, of a three day, two night solo canoe trip in northern Algonquin Park, from Brent on Cedar Lake to Carl Wilson Lake and return.

Open House at The Algonquin Radio Observatory
On July 19, 2008, we attended an open house at the Algonquin Radio Observatory (ARO) at Lake Travers (Lake Traverse) in Algonquin Park. The highlight was a tour of the 46 metre (150 foot) radio telescope. Some photographs of the Algonquin Radio Telescope and associated residence are presented here.

Washout: The Destructive Power of a Burst Beaver Dam
Sometime in early July, a beaver dam burst in the Petawawa Research Forest. The resulting torrent of water destroyed several smaller beaver dams downstream and washed out two minor roads before washing out Clouthier Road, the main access road to the Petawawa Research Forest. This page documents the destruction.

Day Trip Up the Petawawa River from Brent
An account, with photographs of a day trip up the Petawawa River, launching our canoe at Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park. We stopped to photograph the first falls where the river tumbles into Cedar Lake, visited the Corbeil gravesite, and continued upstream to the former timber slide at the second falls and then returned.

Exploring Young Creek
An account, with photographs, of an exploration of Young Creek by canoe in the Petawawa Research Forest in the vicinity of Racehorse Road.

The Barron River -- Some Photographs
Some photographs from an early May solo canoe paddle on the Barron River in Algonquin Park, starting at Squirrel Rapids, passing by Cache Rapids, through the Barron Canyon, and then on to Brigham Chute.

Foymount
Foymount is highest populated community in Ontario, located on the edge of the Ottawa-Bonnechere Graben west of Lake Clear in Renfrew County. It was formerly the site of a Pinetree Line radar base, which closed in 1974. Currently it is the home of Black Water Designs, manufacturer and distributor of high quality outdoors equipment and clothing (Sierra Designs).

2007

Mid Fall in the Barron Canyon
An account, with photographs, an mid fall canoe trip in the Barron Canyon.

Ooze Lake
An account, with photographs, of a visit to Ooze Lake in Eastern Algonquin Park, describing its ecology and an encounter with a cow moose and calf.

Little Bonnechere River
An account, with photographs, of an exploration of the Little Bonnechere River between Couchain Lake and Sligo in Algonquin Park by canoe.

Early Spring in the Barron Canyon
An account, with photographs of an early spring canoe trip in the Barron Canyon.

2006

The Bat Lake Trail in Late Fall
An account, with photographs, of a late fall hike on the Bat Lake Trail in Algonquin Park

Booth's Rock Trail
An account, with photographs of a hike around Booth's Rock Trail in Algonquin Park

An Early Fall Hike Around Berm Lake and Johnston Lake
An account, with photographs of an early fall hike around Berm Lake and Johnston Lake in eastern Algonquin Park

Egg Rock and the Bonnechere River Valley
Egg Rock on the southern boundary of Algonquin Park, overlooks Stringer Lake and valley of the Little Bonnechere River.

High Falls on the Bonnechere River
An account, with photographs of visiting High Falls on the Bonnechere River in Algonquin Park

High Falls at High Water
The High Falls area of the Barron River, near Achray in Algonquin Park, provides striking scenery and a natural water slide. It is especially impressive in the early Spring

2005

Ottawa River Freeze Up
This page documents, through photographs, the freeze up of the Ottawa River

Oiseau Rock
An account, with photographs, of a hike to the top of Oiseau Rock, a sacred and historic cliff situated on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River at the bottom of the Deep River Reach

Two Bear Encounters
An account of two black bear, Ursus americanus, encounters this summer.

The Other Barron Canyon
An account of a canoe outing to First Chute on the Barron River and the other Barron Canyon

A Pair of Peregrines
Recently while out exploring, I encountered a pair of Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus).

Immature Bald Eagle -- Haliaeetus leucocephalus
An account, with photographs of an encounter with an Immature Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

The Chalk River
An account, with photographs of canoeing the Chalk River between the Bronson Road and Corry Lake

Ottawa River Ice Out
Some photographs of ice out on the Ottawa River near Deep River and Point Alexander

2004

Finding Wally
A local kayaker is found safe at Indian Point after spending an uncomfortable night in the Quebec bush.

Wenda Lake Hardwoods
An account, with photographs of visiting Wenda Lake and the Wenda Lake Hardwoods

A Walk to Whitson Lake
An account, with photographs of a walk to Whitson Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park

The Jack Pine
Photographs of a jack pine bearing an uncanny resemblance to that in the painting

Local Bear Arrested
A teenage black bear bear, Ursus americanus, has been frequenting the neighbourhood until he was arrested earlier today.

Grant's Creek
An account, with photographs, of a canoe outing on the upper reaches of Grant's Creek near Algonquin Park.

An Early Spring Day in Algonquin Park
An account, with photographs, of a day hike in Algonquin Park in the early Spring.

Ice Out at Point Alexander
Two photographs of ice out at Point Alexander on the Ottawa River

Maple Syrup
An account, with photographs, of the making of our first batch of maple syrup of the season.

Barred Owl -- Strix varia
An account with photographs of a barred owl, Strix varia, looking for lunch.

Snow Shadows
A small photo gallery of snow shadows and shapes.

Ruffed Grouse in winter
Some photographs of Ruffed Grouse signs in the Petawawa Research Forest

Northern Flying Squirrel -- Glaucomys sabrinus
A photograph of a a Northern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, at our birdfeeder

2003

American Marten -- Martes americana
Some photographs of an American Marten, Martes americana, at our bird feeder.

Desecration of a Beautiful Spot
A rant, with photographs, about the desecration of the site of the Tom Thomson painting, The Jack Pine

Eastern Wolf -- Canis lycaon
An account, with photographs of an encounter with an Eastern Wolf (Canis lycaon) in eastern Algonquin Park.

A Hike to Eustache Lake
An account with photographs of a hike to Eustache Lake in Algonquin Park.

Lungwort
Some photographs of Lungwort, Lobaria pulmonaria

Where are "The Cascades"?
Some comments on the place names "The Cascades" and "High Falls" in eastern Algonquin Park

Abandoned Homestead
Some photographs relating to abandoned homesteads in the Petawawa Research Forest.

Gravel Portage
Photograph of a gravel portage in Algonquin Park.

Breakfast Visitor -- A black bear comes to call
This morning, at breakfast time, a black bear (Ursus americanus) came to call

High Security at Government Installations
Photograph of an appropriately secured government installation.

Young Raptor at Ryan's
Several photographs of a young (unidentified) raptor on the beach at Ryan's Campsite on the Ottawa River.

Basking Snakes at St. Andrew's Lake
Photograph of snakes, basking in the sun at St. Andrew's Lake in Algonquin Park

Turkey Vultures at Presqu'isle
Several Photographs of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) on the beach at Presqu'isle on the Ottawa River.

Unidentified Raptor at Presqu'isle
Photograph of an unidentified raptor, perhaps a peregrine, on the beach at Presqu'isle on the Ottawa River.

2000

Lost
An account of an early spring walk in the bush during which, I get lost and some observations on the utility of a gps.

1982

An Early Spring Hike to Eustache Lake and Wagtail Lake
In early May 1982, and again on Easter weekend in April 1984, Diana and Bob hiked into Eustache Lake and Wagtail Lake, starting at the Lake Travers Station and then returning along the Petawawa River, as an early season overnight trip.

1979

Trip Log - Nipissing River Loop from Kiosk
An account with photographs of a canoe trip in Algonquin park starting from Kiosk, traveling to the Nipissing River via Biggar Lake and Loughrin Creek, and returning via Nadine Lake and Maple Lake in 1979 May.

1976

Trip Log - Wendigo Lake to McManus Lake via The Petawawa River
An account with photographs of canoe trip in Algonquin park from Wendigo Lake to McManus Lake via the Petawawa River September 1976.

Trip Log - Canoe Lake to Brent and Return
An account with photographs of a canoe trip in 1976 May, crossing Algonquin Park from Canoe Lake to Brent and return along the Nipissing River and Petawawa River.

1975

Trip Log: Brent / Maple Lake / Catfish Lake Loop
An account with photographs of a 1975 canoe trip out of Brent on Cedar lake in Algonquin Park.