Outing Guidelines
Go to Outing Reports—2014, Outing Reports—2015, or Outing Reports—2016 for reports and photos from field trips during those years.
Go to Past Outing Reports for field trips prior to 2014.
- December 09, 2017. Tilley Creek West Conservation Reserve
- December 02, 2017. Surprise Hike : Tower Lake
- November 25, 2017. Shore Ridges Conservation Area
- November 18, 2017. Hike the Hub
- November 04, 2017. Hike the North Country Trail
- October 28, 2017. Hike Tahquamenon Falls State Park
- October 21, 2017. Awausee Trail Hike
- September 16, 2017. Fields of Barley & Sandhill Cranes Cycle
- September 10, 2017. Fungal Foray with Bonni
- September 02, 2017. Maple Grove Cross Hike
- August 12, 2017. Goulais River Paddle
- July 29, 2017. Discover Salamander Day
- July 25, 2017. Point des Chenes Butterfly Walk with Mark
- July 22, 2017. Mississagi Delta Provincial Reserve - Kayak
- April 1, 2017. Snowshoe or Ski @ Red Rock
- March 25, 2017. Tilley Creek West Conservation Reserve and Adjacent Picetum
- March 11, 2017. Horst Wetzl Memorial Canyon Ski
- February 11, 2017. Winter Birds in Michigan, Photo Outing
- January 21, 2017. Algonquin Snowshoe
- January 14, 2017. Maple Lake Snowshoe
- January 7, 2017. Snowshoe St Kateri Trails
- January 01, 2017: New Years Day Snowshoe
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December 09, 2017. Tilley Creek West Conservation Reserve
Report/Photos: Chuck Miller
See the outing report & photos: Tilley Creek Dec 2017.pdf
December 02, 2017. Surprise Hike : Tower Lake
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Tower Lake Dec 2017.pdf
At Puddingstone Alley lunch stop
November 25, 2017. Shore Ridges Conservation Area
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Shore Ridges Nov 2017.docx.pdf
November 18, 2017. Hike the Hub
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Hike the Hub Trail Nov 2017.pdf
Under the Bridge
November 04, 2017. Hike the North Country Trail
Report/Photos: Ron Prickett & Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: North Country Trail Nov 04 2017.pdf
Most of the Gang
October 28, 2017. Hike Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Report/Photos: Barb Scott
See the outing report & photos: Tahqua outing Oct 28 2017.pdf
October 21, 2017. Awausee Trail Hike
Report/Photos: Will Scott / Renee Wysynski
See the outing report & photos: Awausee Trail hike, Oct.pdf
September 16, 2017. Fields of Barley & Sandhill Cranes Cycle
Report/Photos: Chuck Miller
See the outing report & photos: Sandhill Cranes Sept 2017.pdf
Surveying the flocks of cranes The Saturday Cyclists
September 10, 2017. Fungal Foray with Bonni
Report: Ron Prickett & Val Walker
Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Fungal Foray Sept 2017.pdf
The Mushroom Hunters Bonni sorting the day's spoils
September 02, 2017. Maple Grove Cross Hike
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Maple Grove Cross Sept 02 2017.pdf
Go to Maple Grove Cross 2017 to see more photos on our Flickr site
Some of the hikers at Maple Grove Cross
August 12, 2017. Goulais River Paddle
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Goulais River Paddle Aug 2017.pdf
Go to Goulais River Paddle 2017 to see more photos on our Flickr site
Paddling past slumping banks of the Goulais
July 29, 2017. Discover Salamander Day
Report: Dave Euler
Photos: Mark Olivier / Val Walker
To see the outing report and photos: Salamander outing.pdf
Blue-spotted salamander
July 25, 2017. Point des Chenes Butterfly Walk with Mark
Report: Val Walker
Photos: Val Walker
Go to Point Des Chenes Butterfly Walk to see more photos on our Flickr site
An early start to this week’s walk at Pointe des Chenes ensured anything flying would be spotted before the punishing heat banished all to the shadows, including the participants. Right off the get go, a European Skipper was snagged and contained in a bell jar for closer inspection. This invasive species is pretty much ubiquitous in Ontario and much of Canada… so no big surprise to see them here in a grassy clearing.
Next up, a Common Wood-nymph butterfly fluttered by and was also relegated to the jar for species confirmation.
Past open meadow flowering plants such as birdfoot trefoil, evening primrose, yarrow, viper’s bugloss, crown-vetch and meadowsweet, we headed toward the sandy shorelines and a small patch of milkweed plants. Mark handily located a Monarch caterpillar on the underside of a partially eaten leaf and several other smaller larvae on other milkweed plants. Monarch larvae require several instars prior to pupating. It is the fifth instar that molts into a blue-green chrysalis from which the adult butterfly emerges.
In the same general location, Robert managed to snag a White Admiral that had seen better days. Wing damage kept the insect immobile enough to view in hand. Despite the abundance of flowering plants, White Admiral (not unlike many butterflies), feed primarily on rotting fruit and animal dung. Mark also mentioned that carrion is often on the diet of many other species. It puts a whole new spin on how you look at butterflies now. Sorry.
After an impressive 100m dash, Mark captured a Pink-edged Sulphur along the edge of a clearing. After regular breathing and heart rate resumed, he dazzle once again with the presentation of a beautiful Coral Hairstreak. Several Atlantis Fritillary were sighted nectaring mostly on purple cone flowers in the park’s entrance garden.
Two of the participants by chance spotted and pursued a large butterfly into a small stand of poplar and recognized it as a very worn and frayed Viceroy resting on a tree trunk.
In the heat of early afternoon, Robert netted a very frail Painted Lady for all to examine.
Thanks to Mark for this week’s tour de butterflies and to all that contributed.
For photos of this outing:
List of Species
Colias interior (Pink-edged Sulphur)
Satyrium titus (Coral Hairstreak)
Speyeria Hesperis (Atlantis Fritillary)
Limenitis arthemis arthemis (White Admiral)
Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady)
Limenitis archippus (Viceroy)
Cercyonis pegala (Common Wood-nymph)
Danaus plexippus caterpillar (Monarch)
Thymelicus lineola (European Skipper)
Monarch caterpillar Coral Hairstreak
July 22, 2017. Mississagi Delta Provincial Reserve - Kayak
Report: Chuck Miller
Photos: Chuck Miller / Val Walker
Go to Mississagi Delta Kayak to see more photos on our Flickr site
The Mississagi Delta Provincial Nature Reserve is a “bird’s foot” delta at the Mouth of the Mississagi River where it meets the North Channel of Lake Huron near Blind River, Ontario. It is a favorite kayaking location for the Sault Naturalists because the multi-channeled shape of the delta allows for paddling in many weather conditions including winds. The park also includes a chain of offshore islands and a number of cultural heritage values –in addition to large sand beaches.
Fourteen naturalists ventured out in kayaks. The winds were predicted to be from the south and south-east diminishing near noon and then rebuilding in the afternoon. The group launched at the Boom Camp Access into the Mississagi River and took advantage of the light south-east winds to paddle in the North Channel westerly to a protected cove created by Wolstan Point – where we landed on a sand beach for lunch.
We then followed the Mississagi River up the east coast of Fox Island meeting the West Branch. The group followed the West Branch to a large wetland in Mississagi Bay. At Fisherman’s Gut – between Hennepin and Webber Island the winds had begun to rise blowing from the south-east – so we retraced our route to the main channel of the Missiagai River and back to the Boom Camp Access.
We stopped for dinner at the Pier 17 Restaurant before heading on our way. It was a nice day with some cloud offering protection from the sun and a breeze to keep things cool.
April 1, 2017. Snowshoe or Ski @ Red Rock
Report: Ron Prickett
Photos: Val Walker / Chuck Miller
Go to Red Rock April 1 to see more photos on our Flickr site
Yes it was the first of April but no one was fooling around except maybe Murray. It was a gorgeous day along the beautiful pristine shores of Red Rock. The snow was hard packed and the sun glistened off the many icy mounds, caves and hillocks that mother nature had piled and sculpted for us to see and traverse. On a part of the icy shoreline a fierce storm had stacked the ice in chunks that looked like sugar cubes and white neatly stacked wafers several metres high. The sun gave a bluesish tint to this spectacular display of the power of the prevailing north west waves and wind.
The 14 Soo Nats who participated demonstrated the varied approaches to hiking along a frozen snow and ice ledge. Many had the special stud like grippers attached to their boots of various designs. One Nat had to put his on prior to leaving his house. We can only surmise the sanding job left for him on his kitchen floor. Others chose familiar snowshoes and skis. Our illustrious leader sported a stylish but highly functional set of rubberised Ugg boots that looked like green moon boots. On further inspection, although large in girth, were light as a feather but not as delicate. Our leader suggested the size of the boot did not indicate the size of her foot and the appearance was an optical illusion.
Entertainment was provided along the way when one of skiers decided to attempt the difficult 360 with a heel grab in the Pipe like snow mounds but only managed a 210. Our skier was unhurt and eager to attempt again some time prior to next winter Olympics. The appreciative spectators gave the skier an 8.5 on the landing. They all thought it was buttifully executed. Fortuitously this was all captured-on film. When the release forms have been completed, it will be posted on the Soo Nats Flickr site for you to judge for yourself.
Lunch at the creek and a trip up to see the falls marked the turning point for the group.
Our leader assured us we were all safe along the shore for she had brought along a rope. Many in the group reviewed appropriate means of launching the rope for rescue. One veteran suggested tying a rock to the end of the rope. Our leader pointed out some drawbacks to this method. We decided we weren’t about to avail ourselves of the opportunity to test this method or any method for that matter.
A great day and great group with a celebratory coffee to finish the day.
March 25, 2017. Tilley Creek West Conservation Reserve and Adjacent Picetum
Report: Chuck Miller
Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Tilley Creek CA Mar 23 2017.pdf
Go to Tilley Creek West Photos to see more photos on our Flickr site
Group shot on the beaver dam
March 18, 2017. Ashmun Creek Snowshoe
Report: Val Walker
Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Ashmun Creek March 18 2017.pdf
Go to Ashmun Creek Photos to see more photos on our Flickr site
Along the creek
March 11, 2017. Horst Wetzl Memorial Canyon Ski
Report: Val Walker
Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Horst Wetzl Memorial Canyon Ski - VWalker.pdf
Go to Canyon Photos to see more photos on our Flickr site
In the canyon
March 04, 2017. Mission Hill Snowshoe
Report: Val Walker
Photos: Val Walker and Renee Wysynski
See the outing report & photos: Mission Hill Mar 04 2017.pdf
Go to Mission Hill photos to see more photos on our Flickr site
February 11, 2017. Winter Birds in Michigan, Photo Outing
Report: Dave Euler
Photos: Mark Oliver, Christopher Zayachkowski, Dave Euler, Carter Dorscht, Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Snowy Owl Feb 11, 2017 (1).pdf
February 04, 2017. Goulais River Beach Ridges Conservation Reserve
Report: Chuck Miller
Photos: Chuck Miller and Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Goulais River Beach Ridges Feb 04 2017.pdf
Go to Goulais River Beach Ridges Conservation Reserve to see more photos on our Flickr site
A group pose in the swale
January 21, 2017. Algonquin Snowshoe
Report: Evelyn Weber & Emily Weber
Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report from young Evelyn: Algonquin Snowshoe Jan 21 2017.pdf
January 14, 2017. Maple Lake Snowshoe
Report: Val Walker
Photos: Chuck Miller, Val Walker
See the outing report & photos: Maple Lake Loop Jan 14 2017.pdf
Bushwhacking downhill
January 7, 2017. Snowshoe St Kateri Trails
Report/Photos: Val Walker
Go to Snowshoe St. Kateri Trails to see photos on our Flickr site
St. Kateri, the former Camp Korah, offered a variety of trails to choose from that meandered through a snow blanketed hardwood forest. Some trails had been broken but our route included plenty of pristine range where only the deer and the Deer mouse had roamed.
A quick pause at the scenic West Davignon Creek crossing at about the halfway point was followed by a brief lunch stop on the ridge overlooking the creek valley. Black-capped chickadees were heard nearby but none venture in for a possible handout.
It was too cool to linger too long so we continued along the ridge edge and onto the next segment of the trail network. Eventually we picked up a well tramped sectioned and backtracked our way out to the parking area.
Thanks to Ila for leading and the 13 others that participated.
The Group Shot
January 01, 2017: New Years Day Snowshoe
Report/Photos: Val Walker
See the outing report: New Years Day Snowshoe 2017 .pdf
Gayle leading the pack
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