Orchids Next Year

Orchids Next Year Earl Plato

Orchids! Yes, orchids are the attraction. No I’m not going to contact local great garden expert Theresa Forte. Yes, I know she would help.
However, our plan is to visit The west coast of Newfoundland this summer. Why? This is where the late Dave Marr of Fort Erie took his world class shots of area orchids. I watched Dave one morning when he took a half hour to photograph just one Marcy Woods trillium. Exposure, lighting, wind velocity and other factors had to be considered in taking the best shot possible. A perfectionist for sure.
Dave and Joy Marr made a life time hobby of nature photography, Their skills grew and many of us appreciated their efforts.
We have never been to Newfoundland but we have friends who grew up on the island and we know several Ontarians who have been there. All
have the same viewpoint - “Some of the friendliest people in the world.”
Come summer what shall we see? - hopefully whales, icebergs, Viking ruins, sea bird habitats and yes, orchids.
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At the latest Bert Miller Nature Club Meeting we learned from Mike Cadman, Songbird Biologist, that Wild turkeys have greatly increased in number in Ontario. Elaine and I have seen 50 plus in old Humberstone Towmship off Second Concession and at least 20 plus in Fort Erie near the Jewson farm off Nigh Road. How large a flock have you seen in Niagara this winter? Call me at 905-894-2417 or E-mail - plato1@vaxxine.com and share your observation.
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This Monday morning about 9:30 a.m. I made a quick drive to Point Abino Hills. Gate closed so I checked in for permission to go to end of Brown’s Road. At the Cudney feeders at the gate Joane reported seeing a Spotted towhee. Great! A big snow plow hill at the end of Brown’s Road but still room for me to park. Two sets of human tracks headed west along the Bert Miller Nature Trail. My hiking boots disappeared in the deep snow and again I needed my knee boots! Plato, think ahead. No return of human tracks - where did they go?
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Anyone see wild cougar tracks in Niagara lately? Bob Chambers of the Bert Miller Nature Club reported tracks measuring four 3/8 inches wide and 4 1/8 inches long. That’s an imprint in mud. Wow! MNR reported at least five of these large cats living in the Niagara Peninsula! Those are big cats. Ridgeway and Stevensville areas have had sightings of such an animal in recent years. Remember the video clips? Bob’s reported sighting was near Townline Road and Ridgemount near the Niagara Falls city line. Call Bob at 905-382-2626 if you’ve discovered any large cat tracks,