Lion’s Head Point, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
This time around, I was in the Bruce Peninsula area to pick up a tandem kayak from Canadian kayaking icon Maks Zupan, in Paisley, Ontario. Once we had reached Paisley and had the kayak safely attached to the rack atop my car, we turned our attention to hiking a portion of the Bruce Trail around Lion’s Head on the Bruce Peninsula (Location). The parking lot is not right at the trailhead so once you get the car parked, the next step is to get to the trailhead. Nice of someone to leave professionally drawn-up instructions by the parking lot with arrows pointing in three directions :-).
The initial part of the trail is wide, open and free of any obstacles.
In the open areas along the roadside and wherever the sun could shine through the trees, wildflowers were abundant and nature was moving along at its own seasonal pace. Willows in the shaded areas were still in the budding stage and everywhere we looked the speckled leaves and yellow flowers of the Trout Lily (Dog Tooth Lily) were decorating the forest floor. Of course, at this time of the year, wherever there is sunshine, it is easy to find the bright yellow of the dandelion. Like photographing robins, I try to photograph at least one dandelion flower each Spring because they are such an important flower in supplying nectar energy to the early bees, butterflies and other insects to keep the cycle going.
Of course, not only flowers share the trail with hikers but, hopefully, the hikers move along a bit quicker pace.
There are a number of interesting geological features in the area. One of these is a large bore hole or pot hole.
Ever wonder what it might look like if you climbed into the bottom of a 10,000 year old pothole and shot straight up ?
The trail climbs in elevation as it gets closer to the point. When the trail begins to climb through heavier bush, the trail is marked with white blazes which are easy to see except that other trees continually conspire to block one’s view.
After 2.2 km of uphill hiking, the end is near.
OOPS! watch out for the pothole. A small “Pot Hole” or “Bore Hole” awaits those who reach the first look-out. These “holes” were formed by swirling water many, many years earlier.
Looking over the edge at the first lookout point gets you prepared for the next uphill stretch towards Lion’s Head Point.
After a quick peek over the edge at the first look-out point, we headed upward to the next opening.
My friend, Gerhard was not too concerned about being out on the edge but my other friend, Ralph, who was also in the background, was definitely less fond of heights.
The colours of Georgian Bay waters are spectacular.
Looking back on my previous shooting spot, it was easy to see that we were still climbing.
This looked to be the perfect perch and I stood there for awhile hoping that something big like an eagle, hawk or raven might drop by to use it, but, alas, nothing came there so, once again, I headed higher.
Atop the Lions Head!!!
At the final point of our climb, Gerhard convinced his “not-at-ease-with-heights” friend, Ralph, to venture a few feet out onto the ledge and then we exchanged places so that I, too, could have my moment atop the Lion’s Head.
Looking over the edge of Lion’s Head Point with a 10.5mm fish-eye lens attached can be a bit disorienting so I try not to do it too often or for too long.
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