Algonquin Park is truly one of my most favourite wilderness spots to visit - granted there are lots of fantastic areas throughout North America and the rest of the world, but there is something said to be able to enjoy such beauty in your own country and your own "back yard".

For me, Algonquin Park is only a few short hours away and on this particular field trip not only did we enjoy nature but we also took in the pleasure of experiencing Thanks Giving at the Killarney Lodge on the Lake of Two Rivers. A fabulous resort that has been around for more than 70 years and provides private lakeside cabins and absolutley fantastic meals. Check out their site at www.killarneylodge.com .

This field study trip consisted of several hikes as well as a Sunday bike ride, primarily focused on seeing the beautiful fall colours; however always with the hope of spotting some wildlife.

On the first day we hiked the Centennial Ridges, a 10 km hike rated as "difficult" in the Algonquin Information Guide. There are five ridges to explore on this trail and you will have climbed 170 m or 560 feet above the parking area. The views are well worth the effort. Below are a few of the photographs taken during the hikes.

The following day Tracy and I got up fairly early, the early sunrise photograph was taken at 5h18 AM from the deck of our cabin, and we explored the Spruce Bog Boardwalk. We were the first to arrive and I was really hoping to see some moose , but we didn't have any luck. Tracy and I also did the Big Pines Trail. After breakfast, the girls joined us to hike the Mizzy Trail which is an 11 km loop rated as "moderate". The Killarney Lodge packed us a great lunch which we enjoyed on the trail; but unfortunatley the only wildlife we found were the ever present Gray Jays. There were several signs of moose, but I think it was just too busy of a weekend for the larger wildlife to venture into view.

For our Sunday bike ride we went to the The Two Rivers Store and cycled the "Old Railway". I spotted some relatively fresh wolf scat close to Pog Lake but again was not rewarded with a sighting.

Killarney Lodge	Very Early Sunrise	My Fellow Hikers	Centennial Ridges
Pond Reflections	Beaver Pond	Red Squirrel	The Edge
Coon Lake Reflections	Coon Lake Reflections 2	Spruce Bog - Frost	Spruce Bog - Early Morning
West Rose Lake	Gray Jay	Mizzy Lake - Post 8 & 9	Dizzy Lake

Stuart Arnett
Wildlife Conservation Artist