Cornwall Outdoor Club de Plein Air

Charleston Lake

Notre-Dame-de-Ile-Perrot

A Bee’s Flight Path

By Sylvie O’Rourke

We are on a peaceful excursion today, touring public and private gardens. One might say we are on a bee’s flight path fluttering from flower to flower, on a mission of sorts, that of admiring the work of other people’s green thumbs. This suits me perfectly, as I am more of an armchair gardener, myself.

We start our tour at one of South Glengarry’s gems, Lou Lou Lavender. Very few plants capture the senses so poignantly as lavender. With their vibrant hues and soothing fragrances, it is little wonder that lavender fields have become a source of inspiration for meditation, exercise, and artistic endeavours. We stroll through rows of different varieties of white and purple blooms and stop to chat with the amiable owners, Vic and Mary Lou. The field is abuzz with activity, a dreamscape for the photographers amongst us, and an opportunity for others to pick odorous bouquets to take home. An on-site boutique offers lavender-themed goods such as skin products, works of art, and jewellery.

In the quaint village of South Lancaster, we visit the refined floral sanctuary of a talented and industrious landscape gardener. The private property is a welcoming oasis of flowers and tasteful accents where birds, bees, and butterflies co-exist joyfully. Upon greeting us, our host advises us, almost apologetically, that had we been here earlier in the season, we would have observed the blooms of fifty-six varieties of peonies. Despite this, there is no shortage of vibrant flowers to delight the eye. It is obvious that years of dedicated work have gone into creating this botanical splendor, and I admire it as deeply as I would an art masterpiece.
In a shaded corner of the garden, we are treated to pitchers of cold iced tea and home-blended fruit juice with a plate of dessert squares. Such unexpected hospitality! As we soak in the serenity of our surroundings, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and White-Breasted Nuthatches make welcome appearances. We linger a little longer to admire the thoughtful details that enhance the garden’s beauty - a living tapestry woven with tranquil water features, inviting seating areas, and elegant, yet understated ornaments.

The last garden sits in a unique setting, a peninsula surrounded by marsh and river, a haven for wildlife. We are hungry and decide to have lunch in the shade of a tree before exploring the property. Amidst snippets of conversation, we settle into nature’s rhythm: Purple Martins darting back and forth from their high-rise condo, Ospreys tracing silent paths overhead, and Honeybees weaving among the flowers in a soft, golden hum.

Well-fed and content, we set out to walk the grounds. Our garden guide pauses beneath her favorite flowering tree: the catalpa, which is also known as cigar tree or Indian bean tree, the names inspired by its long slender seed pods. The tree’s blossoms grow in clusters, each one shaped like a delicate white trumpet. Across the marsh I spy a Black-Crowned Night Heron fishing, and I am momentarily distracted from the tour. The marsh creek is bordered by lush foliage, enticing splashes of colour, and whimsical touches such as blue glass bottles that shimmer in the sunlight like sapphires scattered among the greenery. I quietly stroll the perimeter of the peninsula, hoping to catch a glimpse of its hidden wildlife before visiting the larger garden plots.

Closer to the house, I see some flowers I recognize such as daisies, orange lilies, and roses. My iPhone identifies others as Japanese Spiraea, Feverfew, and Blanket flowers. Everyone is scattered around the property admiring different plants and enjoying the serene setting. When we regather on the patio, we are offered ethnic treats by our generous hostess. We are feeling very blessed.

Like bees moving instinctively toward blossoms, we find ourselves naturally slowing down as we take in the beauty around us. Our tri-garden journey was far more than a simple walk – it was a chance to step away from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world in a more mindful way. Each garden invited us to notice small details and to truly see what is in front of us. It is a reminder that life’s sweetest experiences are often discovered when we slow down, pay close attention, and are fully present in the moment.

SDG & A Cornwall Seeker, August 2026, page 33

Charlottenburgh Beach

Disc Golf at Guindon Park

Loch Garry Paddle

National Ice Cream Day Cycle

A Cycle on the Wild Side

By Sylvie O’Rourke

A word of warning: When you go on a nature outing with a passionate wildlife photographer, prepare for sudden halts. As a budding birder, I can completely relate to this. Today’s Activity Leader is both an ardent nature lover and a talented photographer. It should be quite entertaining!

On this cool and cloudy spring afternoon, our group of six is cycling a twenty-kilometer route on a designated bike trail. Fortunately for us, the ominous clouds appear to be dissipating. The last thing we want is to be drenched before we even begin. Except for the lower temperature, the weather prediction seems to be fairly accurate, but we head off with an extra water-resistant layer just in case.

We have barely travelled around a few curves when the lead cyclist holds up his hand as a signal to stop. He is eager to point out an active Bald Eagle’s nest across the way. Just as I thought, we are about to have a guided wildlife tour. I smile in anticipation. Bald Eagles are not as rare as people seem to think. There are quite a few along the St. Lawrence River corridor, but they are still a treat to see.

On the move again, we pass an Osprey emitting a succession of chirps from its nest high up on a platform and later, a couple of Mute Swans in the nearby wetlands. I listen to the bird songs as I pedal, some of them standing out by their unique melodies. Once initiated into the world of birding, it is tough to turn it off, but I try to restrain myself by remembering that not everyone on this outing is a birdwatcher. I carry on, resisting the urge to turn on my Merlin App to identify the sounds I am hearing. I secretly hope that I will not see a new species today as there is nothing worse for a birder to miss obtaining photographic evidence of a “lifer”, a term used by ornithologists to describe a first-time bird identification. It reminds me of the internet meme of a bird landing on top of the camera instead of in front of the lens. To an outsider, this may seem comical, but to the one standing behind the camera it illustrates a missed opportunity.

Before long, we pause again so that our guide can point out an Osprey nest in a tree, not a man-made platform this time, but a natural set-up. Just a little beyond that are beaver lodges, one on each side of the marsh; both in use. Finally, we are shown an otter holt made from an abandoned beaver lodge. Apparently, otters are opportunistic mammals and often take advantage of vacant structures which, in the long run, saves them a lot of effort.
After a brief pause so that a cyclist from our midst can satisfy an ice cream craving, we are ready to climb a long hill to have a good rest on its summit where benches are conveniently located. I boost the power on my e-bike and make it up without breaking a sweat. I love this bike! From here, we have an unobstructed view of the St. Lawrence River with a glimpse of a ship to the east. At last, the sun has chosen to make an appearance, and the sky has turned a cerulean blue! High above us three Ospreys are soaring. According to our knowledgeable leader this is called thermal uplifting and consists of rising columns of warm air, which they can capitalize on to gain altitude with minimal effort.

The return trip has fewer stops, one by the river to watch an Osprey dive into the water and fly off with a prize fish in its talons, another initiated by me by an open field in search of an elusive Bobolink once spotted there nesting in the tall grass, and finally to watch a flock of turkeys waddling in single file towards the protective shadows of the forest.

It has been a wonderful ride. I can almost feel the boost of serotonin to my brain from all this sight-seeing. I hope everyone enjoyed the tour. Perhaps, though, some of our two-wheeled contraptions should come with rear notices reading: “Caution: This bicycle makes frequent stops.” It’s something to ponder

SDG & A Cornwall Seeker, July 2026, page 15

Annual Pool BBQ