~ Research Time in Algonquin ~

The Summer of 1998 started off with a bang! I spent some time in Algonquin Provincial Park, (about 3 hours North of Toronto), researching the ecology and behaviour of small mammals. My studies consisted of various obervational techniques, and focused on Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus). I've never taken the time to really appreciate these little guys until I studied them up in Algonquin. I hope some of these pictures can give you an idea of what a great time I had.



This is the gang! We are all from various universities in Ontario, and our professor (and her cute little baby) taught out of York Univeristy in Toronto.


Here's an example of some of the little critters I had the opportunity to see. We studied these guys at Mew Lake campground. If you are thinking of heading out to Algonquin, I would definitely suggest to spend a day or 2 at this site. There's a nice sized lake there, big enough for a leisurely swim, and even a calm canoe ride.
Check out the 2 squirrels chasing each other around the tree and the chipmunk having a snack on my boot!



With the effects of El Nino, we were lucky enough to find ourselves in the park at the peak of Black fly season. (Those guys are fiesty!) In order to tag and properly study some of the animals, we had to study them in deep brush. But, the deeper the brush, the more flies were on the loose! So the bug-nets became our new best friends.



When we were really lucky, we would come across some moose with their calves. If you've never seen a moose up close before, you have no idea how truly spectacular these creatures are.
(Should the plural of moose be meese? Discuss amongst yoursleves)






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