Great Expectations #7 - Exploration begins...
This is my favourite time of year - late summer, right through autumn when the humidity has finally released its strangle-hold on my breathing (mostly) and the weather patterns are capricious; not full-on summer but not yet fall either. Some leaves have already changed colour but wildflowers and garden cultivars are still blooming profusely.
In my last blog post I wrote about toiseach ùr (new beginnings). Back-to-school is toiseach ùr of the highest order, very especially this year when, for many students, it is a return to classroom learning and to a full slate of extracurricular activities - band, drama, sports, trips, etc. after a year (or more) of home learning. Isn’t it wonderful!
For them (and for us all) each fresh start offers new lessons, new discoveries and new experiences. Children have an unfettered joy in the new and unfamiliar and can quickly make a game out of anything thrown at them. They love to explore and are constantly and easily amazed at their findings. That’s the spirit I’m trying to foster within myself and for myself.
“With gentle invitation to explore their windings”*
Being new to Essex County I am, naturally, keen to explore it’s parks, conservation lands and natural areas. I made a prospective park list (does that disqualify me from being a bona fide explorer, do you suppose?): Point Pelee National Park, Wheatley Provincial Park, Cedar Creek and Hillman Marsh Conservation Areas. It was an overcast, rainy day on my first outing, yet the parks - each in their own way - held enormous appeal.
Point Pelee National Park
This, obviously, is the “sexiest” of the bunch - a world-renowned mecca for birders, especially those of the migratory species discipline. Confession: My bird knowledge and my ability to quickly recognize species by either their appearance or song is minimal. Very weak indeed! One thing is certain, living in this area I shall have to improve and I’m starting by packing my bird book in my camera bag on every outing.
The immense popularity and acclaim of Point Pelee translates into thousands of visitors. The busyness of the park in the peak summer season means that wildlife sightings are minimal and long-range. It is a stunningly beautiful property, I do have an annual pass and I plan to patiently explore its famed scenic beauty at length in the weeks and months to come. Just not now.
Wheatley Provincial Park
Ohmigosh, y’all, I had such high hopes for Wheatley because, on paper (and based upon the plethora of on-line photos), it seemed to be very similar to Presqu’ile. And it is. Almost. This is a park largely dedicated to camping so there are considerably less, developed, day use areas than at Presqu’ile.
It is a lovely destination, though, with a beach on Lake Erie, lots of trails and several creeks feeding ponds. Here I did have a close encounter with wildlife - some Wood Ducks and a very sassy Green Heron. I’ve not given up on Wheatley, but it did not live up to my expectations.
Cedar Creek Conservation Area
This is an enormous property that sprawls through the county all the way south to Lake Erie. It is a brilliant paddling venue - miles of stream and lots of stream-fed basins, all perfect for birding and spotting wildlife.
Small problem: It is not easy to put one’s kayak in the water. Anywhere. There is a fair hike from the parking area to the water, that includes some stairs (my kryptonite) to a floating dock. Natch, after paddling, one would have to haul the yak back up same stairs to the car. Not terrible if there were two paddlers, but alone…
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area
A mature marsh-mucker like myself ought to have known that this would be the one. I’ve found my place and I’m oh-so-happy! Hillman Marsh has:
- 87 diverse acres to explore featuring multiple habitats, terrains, trails and water courses
- a beach on Lake Erie
- a safe, comfortable, easy-access kayak launch
- a boardwalk
- a dyke
- a nature centre, viewing towers and blinds
Hillman Marsh offers:
- serenity - a tranquility that, immediately upon arrival, seeps into one’s soul
- observation, learning and discovery
- quiet calmness, ideal for meditation
- creative inspiration
- exercise
- lake breezes, floral scents and wildlife noises
Best - it is under-utilized which, whilst a crying shame, suits me down to the ground!
Searching for, as yet, who knows what, I am very excited to compassionately explore the many quiet, beautiful aspects of Hillman, watching for wildflowers and wildlife. My beloved Presqu’ile was comfortable diverse, challenging, rewarding and inspiring and I do believe that’s exactly what I’ve found at Hillman Marsh.
So many of us have become blasé about the wealth of beautiful wildflowers that grace Ontario’s roadsides, trails, woods and meadows but me - I remain an enthusiastic botanical explorer and this week my passion was rewarded:
Flower-of-an-Hour
Flower-of-an-Hour (Hibiscus trionum) is a new wildflower to me. It is an annual of the Mallow family that has become domesticated as a cropland weed - it thrives in “disturbed” soil. In mythology, Flower-of-an-Hour is associated with the adage carpe diem and, isn’t exploring all about seizing the day and the opportunity? This beauty was definitely one of my favourite “finds” this week!
’Til next time, y’all…
*W.C. Bryant from “A Winter Piece”.