Point Pelee National Park, Ontario in early spring – less colours, but still attractive

From the section of boardwalk that is floating, my wife and I were looking at the vast expanse of the marsh. Male red-winged blackbirds were calling their characteristic ‘conk-la-ree’ calls putting on a territorial show. A pair of swans was nesting with perhaps Pen (female swan) on the nest, while the Cob (male swan) was foraging nearby for food. Barn swallows were trying to claim prime real estate under the viewing platform. A musk rat was busy with its daily chores.

This was Point Pelee National Park, a small park of 15 sq. km with lots of unique features to be well deserving of that status. The Park is roughly triangular in shape with the base located almost on the mainland in the north and the tip jutting deep south into Lake Erie, where the currents are strong as the water from the east side meets that from the west side.

The park showing massive marsh in the northeast, beaches in the west, heavily forested area, and the southern tip. Courtesy: Avenza

The spring attractions covered below are:

1. Exploring the marsh from a boardwalk
2. Wildlife
3. The southernmost tip of Canada
4. The beach
5. Exploring the marsh by canoeing and kayaking

All shots are JPEG images and SOOC (straight out of camera)

A fisheye view of the boardwalk and the marsh towards the east from the viewing platform

the marsh and the boardwalk

The northeastern side of the park comprises of a vast expanse of marsh that can be explored either by hiking on the boardwalk or by a canoe or a kayak. However, first, one must explore the viewing platform to have a Birdseye view of the entire expanse.

View of the marsh from the viewing platform

Hikers and wildlife lovers on one section of the boardwalk

A marsh plant

Wildlife photographers on one section of the boardwalk, exchanging views

A fisheye view of the viewing platform

Marsh extending to the northeast of the boardwalk

Wildlife

In April and up until early May, the bids are yet to migrate in from south of Lake Erie, but local fauna is still active and attractive.

Bank swallow

A baby painted turtle

Eastern garter snake

A pair of swan nesting

the southermost point of canada

One can either take a touristic train to the southernmost tip of the Park or hike down there. The tip is at the same latitude as Rome and Northern California.

The south side of the national park. One can reach here either by a road train or hiking

The tree line as seen from the southernmost tip

The southernmost tip as seen from the tree line

The last point of the sand bar where one could stand

One can take a road train to the southernmost tip

The beach

The western side of the Park has several km of sandy beach with picnic areas and comfort stations. We saw a lake cruise ship docked nearby. Later, a speedboat with passengers launched from it to explore the National Park from the lake waters.

Beach area, not looking attractive in mid-spring, but still usable, extends all the way from northern tip of the park to the southern tip

Picnic area on one section of the beach

A speedboat that was launched from the cruise ship with tourists

Canoeing and kayaking

We saw this beautiful and friendly family canoeing in the marsh waters on inflatable canoes. Since it was still nippy, canoe rentals had not begun yet.

The marsh waters are calm enough in spring season for canoeing and kayaking

Rental canoe area near the boardwalk

Canoes on the rack

Camera gear used

Cameras: Pentax KP, Pentax K-5iis, and Canon EOS RP

Lenses: Pentax lenses 1.4TCx300mm, 100mm, 35mm, 21mm, 55-300mm PLM, 10-17mm. Canon lens RS 24-105mm

final words

Until our next blog, au revoir! Be outdoorsy, embrace diversity, and support causes for the conservation of nature!