Algonquin - 2017

Algonquin. I made it up here twice within a month after missing going altogether last year.  I love going up here!

American Pine Martin - Algonquin

January 21. My good buddy Josh wanted to get up to try pick up a few of the northern birds missing from his life list. At 6:30 am Josh came to pick me up after he worked his night shift and we were off. We rolled into the park around 9:30 am after a few stops for coffee and were greeted with Red Crossbills after about ten minutes of driving on Hwy 60 in the park. A good start! I don't often see these finches while visiting the park.

Red Crossbill - Algonquin Park

While this was nice to see, Josh was looking for some White-winged Crossbills as he had picked these up in Hamilton a few years back. We traveled down Hwy 60 for another 30 minutes or so stopping to pick up a few more pairs of Red Crossbills along the way. 

Red Crossbill, female - Algonquin Park

Our first destination was the Visitor Centre to grab a pass for the day and check the feeders. The feeders here have reliable Evening Grosbeaks and other finches allowing for great viewing and photography opportunities. As we were at the front desk the lady told us there were wolves earlier in the morning feeding on the Moose carcass out in the valley. I instantly walked over to the viewing platform to take a look. Two Eastern Wolves!! Sitting in snow not far from the dead moose. They eventually got up and fed a bit before leaving. 

Eastern Wolf - Algonquin Park - Heavily cropped

The feeders provided some nice looks at the birds including the Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Goldfinches and Redpolls.

American Goldfinch - Algonquin Park

Common Redpoll - Algonquin Park

Evening Grosbeak - Algonquin Park

Evening Grosbeak - Algonquin Park

Evening Grosbeak - Algonquin Park

Pine Sisken - Algonquin Park

Next stop was Spruce Bog Boardwalk to try for the elusive Spruce Grouse. I have been up here multiple times and ever only encountered them once. My expectations were low but you can't find them if you don't try. We pulled into the parking lot, made our way down the trail and a crowd of people were standing around. Sure enough, two male Spruce Grouse sitting in the snow!! A few photographers wandered too close and flushed them up into the trees, but still within sight. I dont think that I will ever get them as easy as that again in my life!

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

Spruce Grouse - Algonquin

We stopped a few more spots finally catching up with some White-winged Crossbills on Opeongo Road. Josh was pretty happy picking up another lifer!

White-winged Crossbill - Algonquin

We tried to locate some Pine Grosbeaks or Boreal Chickadees but it was not to be so we decided to head out and get home. On the way out we stopped to take a peek at this nice Moose along the side of Hwy 60.

MOOSE

Here are a few more shots from the park