Friday 30 January 2009 – O’Brien to Herridge

Today we enjoyed a gentle ski in light snow along the excellent trail 36, from P11 (O’Brien) to Herridge Cabin and back. The lack of sun was compensated for by the fine snow conditions, despite some steepish hills. These can be dangerous when icy, but today it was almost impossible to fall, any movement towards a ‘snowplough’ action succeeding in bringing one gently to a halt.

Before going skiing, a waxing session is needed. Woodroffe Mansion has a basement under the whole footprint of the house – so plenty of room for this sort of thing:

The trails around Lac Meech were very pleasant.

Herridge Cabin is an excellent spot….

...and attracts a wide variety of birds – today a flock of Pine Grosbeak arrived to join the Nuthatches, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers and Hairy Woodpeckers around the table.

Here, Mr and Mrs P Grosbeak peck away as Mme Chickadee comes in to land.

This place has the reputation for being the best in Gatineau Park for wildlife. For those who receive actual real Christmas cards from us, it’s the site of the photo of the Barred Owl, taken on 1 February 2006.

It was a shame to leave this lovely route – here I am on the trail near a boathouse….

and we were sad to be back at the car after just 20 km (but with my blistered feet intact), taking from 10.00 to 13.35, including a 45 minute ‘lunch’ stop at Herridge (from 11.20!).

Our snowy journey home was punctuated by coffee at Tim Horton’s, fuel for lots of shovelling of snow once we got back.

Sue tried to photograph some snow landing on her camera case today:

Here’s a detail from the above image:


[The light was very flat today – it was snowing – so the images reflect that fact – especially that of the Pine Grosbeak, which sadly fails to highlight the splendid rosy colouring of the male.]