Bryan Buttigieg wrote:
We thought you might be interested in these pictures, all taken by my wife Pat, between 11:00am and 2:00pm on
Thursday August, 8, 2007 while paddling near the mouth of the Rouge River with 4 children in our canoe. Among
the first sightings for us, were the Northern Map turtle, designated as a species at risk by MNR [Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources], at least one,
possibly two Great White Egrets, easily distinguishable from the white-phase Blue Heron by its black legs.
They have apparently been seen on the river this time of year for the past two years, and over the weekend we confirmed two pairs in this area at the moment.
Also seen was a plover of some sort and a large fawn still with visible spots.
I find it quite amazing that such a show of wildlife could happen on a mid-summer afternoon,
but we often find animals far less intimidated by people in a canoe than if they were trampling
noisily through the bushes. All in all a perfect confirmation of the crucial importance of this
area to so many species and the vital need to ensure we minimise our impact on their ever shrinking homeland.
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