Winding down 2012 at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

As we approach the end of the year 2012, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is coming to life.  This morning we awoke to see three deer at our camp site.  As the day passed the yurts began filling up and a number of RV's, tenters and "Winter Warriors" have arrived.  Families with children are noticeably visible, enjoying the outdoors and soaking up the beauty of the Park. The skating oval has been flooded and the park staff are hoping to have it open for New Year's Eve but of course that will depend upon the weather during the next two days. 



Host site #71

Nicely decorated site



Another colorful site



Judy heading back to the RV

Porcupine tracks

 

Slate Colored Junco

Downie Woodpecker

Cottontail Rabbit on our site



Flying Squirrel on one of our window feeders

A morning visit from some deer

Where`s the picnic?

Skating Oval waiting to be opened

Enjoying the fresh snow (note the steering wheel reflection in windshield)

Next generation of winter campers

Wildlife at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Since arriving at MacGregor Point Provincial Park on Christmas Day the birds have been noticeably absent.  A pair of Cardinals and the occasional Chickadee were the only ones to visit our feeders.  Lucy (a friend who spent numerous winters in the Park) has a theory that the birds go into "hiding mode" when a storm is approaching.  Although the worst of the storm passed South of us, we did get about 2.5" to 3" of fresh snow overnight and behold, the birds reappeared this morning, proving that Lucy's theory is correct. 

In spite of the birds being absent for two days, we did have a visit from five deer on Christmas night and were entertained by a flying squirrel for an hour or more last night.  We got a new camera for Christmas and hope you enjoy some of the photos in this blog posting.  The Park has been very quiet but the yurts appear to be filling up this afternoon, so this may be the end of our wildlife pictures for now.

Inquisitive deer on Christmas night

Red Squirrel on our picnic table

Flying Squirrel

Blue Jay on one of our feeders

Chickadee

Red Breasted Nuthatch

White Breasted Nuthatch

 

Male Cardinal on Christmas day

 

Christmas 2012 at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

 Merry Christmas to our friends, family and other visitors to this blog.  May you join us in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and feel the peace that he offers to each one of us.


After celebrating Christmas with our family on Sunday, we arrived early this afternoon at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.  We will be here on site #61 until New Year's Day.



Our Christmas message to other campers



Not much snow, but at least the ground is white

 

Waiting for the birds to arrive

 

Winter Warriors Pot Luck Supper at MacGregor Pt. PP

Last evening the MacGregor Point Winter Warriors held a pot luck supper at the Visitor Centre in the Park.  It was well attended and as usual there was plenty of food.  Park Superintendent Keith Early gave a brief address to the group concerning the importance of winter programs in the grand scheme of Ontario Parks, especially at a time when the government is looking for potential cutbacks.

By the time we went to bed last evening the rain had started and continued throughout the night with strong winds and +10 C temperatures.  The snow that fell earlier in the week is now gone.  Aside from the Winter Warriors, there are very few campers in the park so we took the opportunity to run / warm up the diesel engine for a half hour.

We'll be heading back to Waterloo in a couple of hours and don't expect to return until Christmas.  Hopefully there will be snow on the ground when we return and most of the yurts and campsites filled.  Meanwhile, here's wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone and Peace on Earth. 

What's the big joke?



Winter Warriors pot luck supper

Peace on Earth and at Site #61

Snow in our back yard, November 24

Konijn checking our our new Christmas tree