TRAVEL
Spring Bloom-Chasing
ACROSS CANADA
As the weather warms across Canada, nature’s pageantry — birds, bees, flowers and all — waits to be discovered.
By Jim Bamboulis
(Above) Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park is a great spot for late spring wildflower viewing and photography. (Below) The provincially rare mountain hollyhock in bloom. | PHOTOS: C_LESTINE AERDEN/TRAVEL ALBERTA; COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA
WATERTON WILD
Every year, Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta bursts into colour, courtesy of the wildflowers that emerge across the mountainous landscape. From late spring through summer, visitors can spot increasing varieties of blooms, with the greatest number peaking in mid-June. It’s a living canvas of over 1,000 plant species, including glacier lilies and prairie crocuses. “Waterton’s location at the ‘Crown of the Continent’ results in a large amount of environmental diversity,” says ecologist Robert Sissons.
For panoramic views, drive the scenic 15-km Red Rock Parkway; to see wildflowers close up, hike the 7.4-km out-and-back Bellevue Prairie Trail, which has minimal elevation gains but spectacular bloom-viewing opportunities.
(Above) Arrowleaf balsamroot blooms in early spring on hillsides along the Red Rock Parkway. (Below) A ruby-throated hummingbird at rest. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA; JIM FLYNN/PARKS CANADA
MIGRATION MAGIC
With its unique location on a protected triangle of land jutting into Lake Erie, Ontario’s Point Pelee National Park is one of Canada’s best spots to witness the annual spring bird migration. Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded here, nesting, breeding, passing through or settling in for the summer. And in spring, avian plumage is at its most vibrant.
At the Festival of Birds in May, visitors can join birdsong identification and birding seminars, guided hikes or wildflower walks to look for trilliums, bloodroot, trout lilies and the Eastern prickly pear cactus. (This endangered cactus grows in only two small, sandy spots in the province, both along the shore of Lake Erie.) “Point Pelee’s Wildflower Walks offer guests a chance to learn more about the region’s blooming plants that often get overlooked,” says Julia Grcevic of Parks Canada.
(Above) Point Pelee National Park. (Below) Male sharp-tailed grouse, mid-mating dance. | PHOTOS: GATHER ROUND/DESTINATION ONTARIO; COLE TOMLINSON
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Every spring, Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert National Park is home to a unique ritual. At special breeding grounds known as leks, male sharp-tailed grouse perform a surprisingly theatrical mating dance in hopes of attracting female grouse. The best time to see it for yourself: early mornings in April and May.
“Leks are typically located in open, elevated areas such as roadsides, clearings, muskegs and grasslands. The mating activity usually peaks 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise and tapers off two to four hours later, though there is sometimes activity around sunset,” says Daisy Ramsden, partnering, engagement and communications officer at Prince Albert National Park.
To protect the sensitive breeding grounds, Ramsden advises visitors to “keep at least 30 m away, remain quiet and... turn off vehicle engines and lights.” With any luck, the sharp-tailed grouse will be too engrossed in courting to notice your presence. Don’t forget your binoculars.
(Above) Grey Owl’s Cabin, a Federal Heritage building in Prince Albert National Park. (Below) Evangeline Trail Orchards. | PHOTOS: TYLER CAVE/TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN; COURTESY OF THE VALLEY EYE PHOTOGRAPHY
APPLE BLOSSOM BEAUTY
When spring arrives on Nova Scotia’s Evangeline Trail, the region transforms into a postcard brushed with subtle strokes of pink and white, courtesy of apple blossoms bursting on trees throughout the Annapolis Valley. Mid-to-late May is an ideal time for slow, meandering orchard walks or a countryside drive north along Route 358 from Greenwich. Stop at The Lookoff for a colourful valley vista.
This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, which celebrates the region’s deep agricultural roots with local fare, live music, fireworks and the popular Grand Street Parade. “The annual bloom is more than something beautiful to look at,” says Erica Gillis, president of the Apple Blossom Festival. “It’s a celebration of what makes this place so special.” AMA
Apple trees have been cultivated in the Annapolis Valley since the 1600s. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE VALLEY EYE PHOTOGRAPHY
FLOWER POWER
Canada’s spring blooms are an invitation to experience the land’s reawakening first-hand. Here’s a guide to viewing — but not harvesting — some of our most famous flowers.
Alberta
Alberta’s iconic wild rose is a pink and golden-yellow bloom best admired in sunny, open areas, including prairie meadows and foothills, in late spring and early summer.
PHOTO: DMITRY/ADOBE STOCK
Saskatchewan
The low-lying purple and yellow prairie crocus pushes its way up through the snow in the very early weeks of spring. Catch a glimpse of this early bloomer along sun-facing hillsides and windswept ridges.
PHOTO: AARON/ADOBE STOCK
Ontario
The star-shaped white trillium’s three leaves and three white petals contrast beautifully with spring’s new forest greens. Ontario’s iconic flower can be spotted at provincial parks including Arrowhead, Awenda and Bronte Creek.
PHOTO: ANNETTE BUCHKOWSKI/ADOBE STOCK
Nova Scotia
Starting in mid-April, mayflowers, with their lovely jasmine scent, begin to appear. Look for their distinctive deep pink and white trumpet-shaped flowers on forest floors and rocky slopes along the South Shore.
PHOTO: KATE WILCOX/ADOBE STOCK
BLOOMS, BIRDS AND BEYOND
A field guide to the season’s most anticipated awakenings, with prime visiting windows, signature sights and insider tips for planning a trip that catches nature at its peak.
Alberta
Alberta’s iconic wild rose is a pink and golden-yellow bloom best admired in sunny, open areas, including prairie meadows and foothills, in late spring and early summer.
PHOTO: DMITRY/ADOBE STOCK
Saskatchewan
The low-lying purple and yellow prairie crocus pushes its way up through the snow in the very early weeks of spring. Catch a glimpse of this early bloomer along sun-facing hillsides and windswept ridges.
PHOTO: AARON/ADOBE STOCK
Ontario
The star-shaped white trillium’s three leaves and three white petals contrast beautifully with spring’s new forest greens. Ontario’s iconic flower can be spotted at provincial parks including Arrowhead, Awenda and Bronte Creek.
PHOTO: ANNETTE BUCHKOWSKI/ADOBE STOCK
Nova Scotia
Starting in mid-April, mayflowers, with their lovely jasmine scent, begin to appear. Look for their distinctive deep pink and white trumpet-shaped flowers on forest floors and rocky slopes along the South Shore.
PHOTO: KATE WILCOX/ADOBE STOCK