Gene Muma

Gene Muma Earl Plato

I miss Gene Muma. To many of us from the Bert Miller Nature Club he was “Mr. Navy Island.” Many of us had travelled with him and his dog, Buddy, to the island. This March day Elaine and I parked opposite the island at the Ussher Creek parking lot. We used our binoculars and scanned the north end for Bald eagles. No luck this day. The MNR nest platform was discernible but no tell tale big branches were on it. Bob Chambers and other bird enthusiasts have seen as many as five of these giant birds fly around the island. Bob told us that a pair he saw were a likely couple. One was large and one was somewhat smaller. Female Bald eagles are always larger than their mate. A likely pair to nest? Let’s hope they’ll nest on Navy Island.
We both miss Gene. Elaine took out from our freezer the last four bags of elderberries for some of her great pies. Those berries came from Gene’s backyard bushes. Gene was always sharing something. We all have good memories of this remarkable man.
Writer’s Note: In a previous article some time ago I suggested naming the north end of Navy Island - Muma’s Point. Wrong!
It should have been - the SOUTH end! Remember Gene? Yes, every time you who knew Gene drive the scenic Niagara Parkway and approach Navy Island and its southern end it would be fitting to say, “ There’s Muma Point.”
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Already planning trips for this spring and summer. Ontario bound again. We have gone from Lake Huron’s shores to eastern Ontario and then north to the Ottawa River and west to Algonquin Park. This year Bon Echo Park and Boncherre Caves are two places I have somehow missed. Hopefully we shall visit both places.
Every four or five years I return to Wye Marsh and walk the trails. In 1998 we saw the Trumpeter swans and their young posing for us. Probably we will return again this year to Wye. Why not? This past winter we saw upwards of 200 Trumpeters and Whistlers (Tundra( on the Niagara River and at Point Abino Bay. Beautiful, graceful birds their mellow, rich bugling calls resemble that of the Canada geese.
Here at Wye they’re silent. I think I know why. The times I have heard them they are flying overhead and coming in for a landing.
If you haven’t been to Wye marsh near Midland try and make it this year. For nature lovers the centre and trails are worth the trip.
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