Category Conservation

Where the Wild Things Are (on Georgian Bay!❤️)

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The wildlife is an amazing part of cruising Georgian Bay but I always find it difficult to capture their incredible personalities in just a photo.

If you’re like me and tend to chat with turtles from your kayak, have had “words” with nuisance raccoons or beaver in the wilderness, have stared in awe at a Sandhill Crane walking, or an eagle landing, this video is for you! 

For the first time I’ve utilized “AI” to enhance a few of my wildlife photos – adding graceful movements to some and humor to others, depending on the situation when I took the photo.

The result is one minute of the wild and wonderfully entertaining world of Georgian Bay wildlife! 

Some viewing notes:

1. All scenes are created using my original photos of the animals.

2. “AI” has been used to add only animation and in all but 3 scenes – see if you can identify which scenes are my original unedited video footage.

3. And always remember – never feed the animals!

Love the Lichen!

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You will see them on Georgian Bay this summer covering the most exposed rocks in hues of yellow, orange, grey and green – these wonderful organisms are often confused with moss. We admire their beautiful colours however many don’t realize the critical role lichens play on the Bay!

Southeast Wooded Pine Island

A unique combination of fungi and algae, lichens form and spread on surfaces, building a foundation for moss, grass and other plant life to grow under the harshest of conditions. They release an acid that breaks down the rock but over a very long period of time. And when illuminated by the final rays of a Georgian Bay sunset, their glow is spectacular! ❤️

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A Turtle Tale

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The arrival of spring means just a few more weeks until these beauties emerge from their hibernation habitats and with two things on their mind – to find food and a little “tail”!

Snapping Turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in Canada and noted as “Special Concern” under the Ontario Endangered Species Act. Their biggest threats are from people or environmental factors such as predators invading the nests and habitat loss. During the winter they remain underwater, buried in mud, only too happy to break free once the ice melts and the days begin to get longer.

Minnie of Go Home
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On Thin Ice

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Well this beauty survived the Ontario moose hunting season (LOL!) and is ready for the winter solstice today – the shortest day or longest night of 2021 for us that live in the Northern Hemisphere.

It has been a wonderful year for boating on the Bay, the marinas are full and boat sales are on fire! And as we head towards a cold snowy winter, yes the harbours will freeze, the rocks will ice over, the boats will be replaced by scoots and snowmobiles, but Georgian Bay will continue to deliver some beautiful scenery.

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”She Ain’t Pretty”

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The elusive Pike. I never expected to find myself writing about a Northern Pike – ever – but for some reason, this one has been in my head since I caught her/him last weekend.

A 10 pounder, fresh from the waters of Georgian Bay and let me tell you, it is no easy feat to find and pull one of these lake monsters out of the deep and into your net! Aggressive carnivores they are, the Northern Pike will lie quietly, deep in the weeds, waiting for prey to travel overhead and then attack! If it’s your lure they chomp down on, get ready for a wild ride and hope your line holds! They are fast and agile with razor sharp teeth and should only be handled with gloves and a net.

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