Fall Color Report for 2009

October 4, 2009. All of the leaves have the brightest colors that we have seen in quite a few years. A few morning frosts over the past couple weeks have exaggerated the reds and yellows of the deciduous trees throughout the Temagami area and even the various shades of greens in the spruces, cedars and red and white pines seem more definitive this year. Some of the yellows in the birches and poplars are now starting to fall off the trees but plenty of photo opportunities still exist everywhere.

September 25, 2009. Fall colors are at their prime now with plenty of reds and yellows showing everywhere. Thick lake fogs and frosty windshields are common most mornings but burn off quickly with the rising sun.

September 18, 2009. Trees are now showing more color every day. A few light frosts over the past week has really brightenend up the yellows and the reds are also starting to show in the maples. As predicted earlier, it appears that it will be the last of September for the peak in the fall colors. The grackels have already migrated through and there are huge flocks of geese winging it south every day now. Hawks and owls are just starting to be seen throughout the area.

August 29, 2009. Already we are starting to see the first hints of the approaching fall color changes. There is the ever-so-slight tinge of yellows starting to appear in both the poplars and birches. At the present time, it's uncertain as to the best peak in the colors but everything is pointing towards the usual time of the end of September. I don't know if I've missed them or not but I haven't noticed the annual fall migration of the Monarch butterflies which usually happens around the end of August. There are, however, a few migratory songbirds passing through which is normal for this time of year. Beaver have started to reinforce their damns but will wait a month or more before mudding up thier houses and building their feed beds for the long winter ahead.

Photo Tours

The lodge is located directly in front of Temagami's White Bear Old Growth Red and White Pine Forest. Originally destined by the MNR to be a clear-cut logging operation, the community rallied together in the early '90's and had it preserved as a Conservation Reserve.This classification permanently prohibits any resource extraction (logging and mining) while still allowing traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, trapping and farming (picking nuts, fruits and berries). An extensive trail system now interconnects this 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of unspoiled ancient wilderness which contains many red pines over 1 Meter (3 Feet) and white pines up to 1 1/2 Meters (5 Feet) in diameter and is the sixth largest stand of old growth pine remaining in the world. Several species of plants, including rare northern orchids and fungi which are native to an undisturbed eco-system can be found here (described in more detail on the Orchid Page and the Mushroom Page).

Guided or self-guided tours are available all year either by hiking boots, cross-country skis or snowshoes. During the summer, a water taxi is available for a drop-off at one location and pick-up at another to eliminate walking the same path twice for people preferring a self-guided tour. Departure and arrival times can be arranged for your convenience. Guided tour departure/arrival times are also easily arranged to suit any schedule. In the winter months, shuttles by snowmobile can be arranged to the beginning of the trail system at several locations for people looking for quick access. Others prefer the scenic 2 km. excursion by snowshoes (rentals available) or their own XC skis, directly from the lodge.

Guided tours by a semi-professional free-lance photographer can be arranged by the half or whole day. Come as an individual or as a group to see nature through your own still format (film or digital) camera or VCR. Camouflaged stands are available for wildlife viewing opportunities. A user-friendly portable tree stand is available for photographers, painters or anyone just wanting to catch a glimpse of the forest from an elevated position. We can supply everything except cameras.

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