By John Reaume
This year we explored a new venue – Bell’s Lake Management Unit in West Grey. Ten club members turned out for this moonlit snowshoe hike in the bush. We were blessed with a decent and recent snowfall that made ideal conditions for the hike. Even the weather cooperated with the full moon making an appearance to help light the trails for us. In the beginning we enjoyed a beautiful hike but the owls eluded our attempts to locate them.
Our resolve fortified with a cup of hot chocolate we made one last trek to a clearing surrounded with mixed bush. Our patience paid off as an Eastern Screech Owl finally returned our calls and flew to the edge of the clearing. Good views were had by all as we positioned ourselves to see the owl silhouetted against the full moon as it softly trilled its call to us!
The hike back to the vehicles went quickly after succeeding in our quest to hike under the full moon and to spend some time with this amazing creature.
