Capturing the Art of Nature
Rattlesnake Point and Region, Beamers Falls (Day 2)
It felt great being back in Ontario exploring the side roads for colourful vistas. Today we found a few amazing sights
Category
Ontario Adventures
2012
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It was my first day out taking photos on this trip to Ontario. Mike, Carolyn's cousin arrived with his son Lucas a bit after 10am and off we went to find some coloured leaves. The colour change was not very far along in the immediate area so we decided to drive north to where the fall colours were more advanced and richer. We zipped along the QEW to Brampton and there we exited onto Appleby line. We were soon driving through fields and stands of richly coloured trees.
After driving for a number of miles we found a spot to stop where we had a nice view of rattlesnake point. It was a colourful cliff face with some exposed rock peering out between the trees. The clouds were blocking the sun and we had only brief moments of bright sun on the cliff face. But we waited in the blowing wind until we had gathered enough photos in the sun to satisfy our growing impatience. Later on reviewing our photos we discovered we had captured a rock climber on the cliff face! We then circled around the escarpment looking for a place where we could hike to the trails on the escarpment. Though we found some bright colours there was no convent place to park and the ‘closed’ conservation area still wanted 20$ to park - a bit much for a short visit. We left the park and took a road traveling along the forested section of the escarpment. Along this road we found a place to stop and gather some photos of a number of subjects.
We then set off further north to a where the map showed a small village with a bridge over a creek. We arrived in high spirits but our joy was soon dashed as the colours in the creek valley were all dull browns - not at all a pretty sight. Continuing to the main road we came by a cemetery. It looked like it may have some old stones and so we decided to get out and explore it. Lucas had never explored a cemetery before so it was quite a different experience for him. The oldest stone I found was placed in 1828. By the time we had made a round of the area the wind had come up and we were getting quite cold and hungry so we returned to the car and set off to find a cafe.
As we were driving to find food we found an interesting field with some nice bright sunlight and so we stopped to gather a few photos there before continuing to the town of Campbellville. In the small town we found a cafe in a newish mall. They actually had quite decent food and good coffee. Here Mike and I chatted about ideas for improving his web presence and how to make it more effective. Done with lunch we set off for the south and a slow trek back home. Lucas expressed his desire to hike along the trails in Beamer Falls so as we had nothing planned we decided to head that way and park at the top of the escarpment and walk the trails.
This area unfortunately was still mostly green with the fall colours not yet at their peak. We did enjoy the views from the point and I gathered some interesting colour shots, it should be quite spectacular up here in a week. As we were completing our walk the wind picked up and we were getting quite chilled so we returned to the car and made for home. It was a good first day out and I am encouraged that over the next week I should see some good colours.