Wild Kingdom
Vincent Verboncoeur

Whether it’s a leopard slinking through the bush ready to launch an attack or a cheetah streaking across the grasslands after its prey, Africa’s big cats are a wonder to behold. Graceful, elegant, inspiring, and powerful…these thoughts come to mind when spotting one of these ferocious felines out on the African savannah.

The Old Willow
Vincent Verboncoeur

All across Ontario, along the banks of rivers and streams, creeks and ponds, wherever you find wet ground, you are likely to find a willow tree, its branches and leaves spreading out over the water like a giant canopy. The black willow, the largest of Canada’s 75 species can reach 20 meters in height and often looks immense as it divides into several trunks at the base of the tree. In colonial times, its branches were used to make charcoal. Today it is appreciated for its attractiveness and its highly developed root system that binds soil together along banks.

Pondering By The Waterfalls
Vincent Verboncoeur

Just ½ mile upriver from Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls lays a 10-acre nature area known as Dufferin Islands. The four interlaced islands were home to a saw and gristmill as early as 1794. Later a sizeable gas well was discovered along the shorelines. Rising gas could be seen bubbling to the surface of the water. An enterprising person took a barrel with a pipe protruding from the top and placed it over the gas. They corked the pipe and let the gas build up. When an audience showed up to see the advertised performance, the cork was removed and the gas ignited and the “Burning Spring” became Niagara’s first tourist attraction. Today the islands are a quiet place to get away for a picnic lunch, go swimming or fishing or to just sit and ponder about life.

Country Living
Vincent Verboncoeur

Nestled deep in the woods just outside Turkey Point, Ontario, in an era now past, stood this old homestead. It speaks of a simpler time. With its world-renowned bird observations, and its diverse ecosystem, the Turkey Point area is known as a naturalist's paradise. Hiking trails lead through marshes, bluffs and oak savanna and its panoramic views of Lake Erie are spectacular. Even today, as in times past, there are areas that remain wild and unspoiled.

Day By The Gardens
Vincent Verboncoeur

The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture is truly a visual spectacle. It is a rainbow of colors spread over 100 acres of immaculately manicured gardens maintained by the school's students. Enjoy flower, herb, vegetable and rock gardens as well as an arboretum for trees and shrubs. The highly respected on-site school was established in 1936 to train students in the art, mystery and science of horticulture. Today it is considered to be one of the finest in the world.

The Pt. Abino Lighthouse
Vincent Verboncoeur

This decorative lighthouse with its intricate trim work graces the shore of Lake Erie at the end of Pt. Abino Road in Ft. Erie. Fixed buoys were first used to mark the dangerous rock shelf that juts out into the lake and in 1912 Buffalo’s US Lightship 82 marked the area. During the infamous storm of November 1913, referred to by some as a freshwater hurricane, the lightship went down with all hands. That storm claimed a total of 12 ships and 235 lives. In 1918 the Canadian government completed the current lighthouse in memorial of the US Lightship 82 and her crew. The keeper’s residence was completed in 1921. Since the lighthouse is nearly surrounded by water, and the land surrounded by private property, keepers had to wade through water to reach the lighthouse. In 1989 the lighthouse was automated.

The Lion
Vincent Verboncoeur

This majestic yet savage animal has long been considered the king of all other animals. Throughout history the lion has represented strength and royalty. The lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away and can be most intimidating up close. An adult male can typically weigh 450 pounds and stand four feet tall at the shoulders. At one time lions were found roaming Europe, southern Asia, eastern and central India and all over the African continent. Today, the only naturally occurring lions can be found in Africa, and even here they have been wiped out in the north. The last Numidian male was shot as a trophy in the 1930’s. Nevertheless, the African lion numbered close to 200,000 in 1991.

Reflections of Peace
Vincent Verboncoeur

Nestled at the mouth of the Niagara River, the Peace Bridge stands as a symbol of friendship and peace between two nations… Canada and the United States. Built at a cost of 4.5 million dollars, the Bridge opened to traffic on June 1, 1927. Today it is a vital link between the world’s two largest trading partners. More than 20 billion dollars worth of goods ad almost seven million passenger vehicles make their way across the span every year. As part of the largest undefended border in the world, the Peace Bridge still stands as a testament to the warm relationship between our two countries.

Morning Mist
Vincent Verboncoeur

Algonquin Park was first established in 1893 as a wildlife sanctuary and as a way to protect the headwaters of the five major rivers that flow from the park. Its 7,725 square kilometers of forests, lakes and rivers have attracted adventurous fishermen, wildlife enthusiasts and outdoorsmen of all ages. It has been immortalized by Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven, inspired over 40 books and has attracted worldwide fame. To see the sun rise over this wild, rugged country is an unforgettable experience.

Early Morning Gathering
Vincent Verboncoeur

From the shores of the Great Lakes to the frozen Arctic tundra at the northern tip of Ellesmere Island, from the prairies of Alberta to the forests and mountain valleys of British Columbia, the wolf is an integral part of the Canadian landscape. This fun loving and playful animal has learned to adapt and thrive in the many diverse habitats and climates of Canada’s 3.8 million square miles. Designed for running, catching and killing large animals, the wolf is an ultimate predator at the top of the food chain. And they love to socialize. Tag, wrestling, keep away…wolves love to interact in a playful manner within the family group. They are beautiful animals that are a joy to watch.