Return to Algonquin

I finally got a free Saturday again, so my husband and I went back to Algonquin in the hope of seeing the Evening Grosbeaks, and a grouse, or two.

We were in luck. It was a beautiful day, all day, with the sun shining and the temperature a balmy 3 degrees. (It was warmer in Toronto, though). We stopped at the Visitor Centre first, and we lucky enough to see the Evening Grosbeaks. There was a flock of about a dozen of them, which kept flying off and returning. We got some close up views of the several males, and one female. There was also some Blue Jays, a Gray Jay, and some redpolls, mostly Common, and one Hoary.

We went over to Opeongo Road, hoping to see a Boreal Chickadee. We went out pretty far, until I felt like someone, or something, was boring holes into my back with its eyes. I thought it best that we return to the gate. There were plenty of Black-capped Chickadees, Gray Jays, Blue Jays, and one nuthatch. They all fed from my hand, except for the Blue Jays.

Then, we drove to Spruce Bog Boardwalk, again to see a Boreal Chickadee. Nope. Nothing again. We decided to walk on the trail, and it was a gorgeous hike. I got scared at one point, thinking we might see a wolf or a bear. All we saw were a young couple, sitting out in the middle of nowhere, eating apples.

We went back to the Visitor's Centre, and we managed to see a Spruce Grouse, this time. As we drove through to the other end of the park, we saw a Ruffed Grouse just sitting on the bank. Hurray! At the other end of the park, we saw the Pine Grosbeaks, and some more redpolls. What a wonderful trip!