Monday, October 25, 2010

Adventure... and Misadventure In Algonquin Park
















I just returned from a second trip back to Algonquin Park. I was looking forward to a couple more days of fall plein air painting with my painting pal David Kay. I was delivering a load of wholesale frames to David that he had ordered from Deb and we were going to sketch for two days.

As I approached the West Gate entrance at Dwight, the weather took a quick turn for the worst. It began pouring rain and looked like it would continue for the remainder of the day. Since David and his wife Diane were not to arrive back in Whitney from a shopping trip to Bancroft... it had been my plan to paint my way to their place and to arrive late in the day for supper.

It seemed a waste of money to purchase the necessary day permit to try and paint in such a down pour... so I decided to gather photo reference along the way in lieu of trying to paint. Thus began my Algonquin Misadventure!I stopped at a high bluff overlooking a beautifully panoramic view of Source lake and jumped out excitedly to take several useful photo references. Upon returning to my van... I discovered that I had locked the driver's side door upon jumping out. I was now standing clad only in a light shirt... looking at a completely locked out situation five miles in either direction from help in the cold rain.

My first response was of course panic... followed by several minutes of copious self-deprecating name-calling. Finally, I decided to try and hail a passing vehicle to try and hitch a ride to the nearest Park Authority. After three badly failed attempts... I returned to the van to seek another plausible solution. I tried my cell phone... but found it out of signal range in this corridor. I thought that perhaps I should find a large, heavy rock and gain entry by smashing the passenger window- a costly choice that I wisely decided to leave until there were no further possible choices.

I considered trying to walk for help but my woods and canoeing experience told me two things. When lost... sit down in the woods rather than wander aimlessly. Think... and make a plan. The canoeing rule is the same. Stay with the canoe. Never try to swim to safety... the boat floats and buys you time! Reason prevailed and I returned roadside to try and hail a passing vehicle. As my luck would have it... the next vehicle... a white half ton truck driven by a young installation technician stopped and offered to help me find a solution.

Corey Dolan of Arnprior was on his way to a job in Burke's Falls. He carried with him a full tool kit and a tire iron. Within an hour, we managed to wedge open the door frame (without causing damage) and insert a braided piece of stove pipe wire to lift the inside door latch. MY misadventure drew to a satisfactory conclusion... thanks to a stranger's generosity and good will. We shook hands... I said many thank yous and I asked for his business card. His good deed was not going to go unrewarded!

The rain unfortunately continued into the next day... but David and I headed out to Opeongo Road, knowing that there were good subjects to work at. I arrived earlier than David and had completed a small 8x10 inch canvas along the highway and was well into my second attempt on a 14x18 inch tamarack theme on Lake Opeongo Road. We spent the rest of the afternoon painting together and "talking art"... just sucking in the muted beauty and quiet of a setting that a week before had been hectic and overrun by "autumn leafers"... as the locals refer to them.

David and I said our goodbyes and I headed westward on Highway 60 toward the West Gate... content with my day's work and enjoying the wistful rain-darkened beauty of the remaining oak, birch and evergreen stands of colour in the distant hills and the many swamps on both sides of the highway. It was a bitter-sweet feeling to be leaving... bitter because I feel so at peace here in The Park... but sweet... that I was heading home to Deb and the Gallery.

As I approached Source Lake.... the location of the earlier Misadventure... my eye caught some movement on the lake side of the highway. There... less than thirty feet away were THREE bull moose blissfully grazing up to their knees in a bog. I quickly pulled over.... camera in hand... and headed slowly back across the highway to their location. Two of the bulls were immature with only nubs instead of a rack... but between the two stood a very sizable and obviously in-charge, dominant bull with a huge rack. They all continued to graze... paying little or no attention to me as I advanced cautiously towards them.

At one point the large bull raised his head while continuing to chew... then resumed his feeding. I moved towards an opening in the tag alders that were between he and I... being VERY careful to watch and be ready to beat a hasty retreat if his body language changed. Bull moose are VERY dangerous and unpredictable during their rut season. They view any intrusion into their space and territory as confrontational... and are more than prepared to drive out the "competition"- even human!

I was able to come within ten feet and kept shooting continuously (without flash). I had never in my nearly thirty years of coming to The Park been this close to this majestic animal. It was intoxicating... and an unexpected and unusual gift to share this time and space. Suddenly... his patience with my presence reached an end. He looked up and turned his head (and rack) to face me directly. By the changed and more focused look in his eyes... I knew that it was time to leave them alone. I backed away... still facing him ... VERY slowly and crossed back to the van... with its driver door open.

Sometimes... "The Universe" provides unexpected blessings.... gifts of a life time. I will always remember this "fifteen minutes" and cherish them always. Studio painting never offers this firsthand gift.

"I" ... am again...deeply blessed!

Good Painting to All!



PS I sent of a 10x12 sketch I did at The Oxtongue Rapids Road... not far from Source Lake... to my Roadside Assistant/ Good Samaritan.... Corey Dolan of Arnprior. Thank "You" Corey!!






22 comments:

  1. I too had the intoxicating experience of being close up with moose feeding in a swampy area. As a matter of fact in was on a canoe trip up the Opeongo (in July) when we turned into an interesting 'avenue' through the reeds. And there for our enjoyment were a couple females and young, 'just feasting away' on pond growth. My companion was not familiar with wild animals in their habitat and wanted to paddle very, very close. I of course would not and insisted we remain as we were; so fortunate to even have stumbled on such a finding. So we sat where we were (about 20 feet away) and just observed.
    Truly an event you have to experience firsthand and one you will never forget.
    Love your Algonquin Park paintings. Wonderful! Wonderful! Feel like I am there.
    Thanks again for sharing.
    Regards

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  2. Beautiful paintings Bruce! You were obviously in a zone. What a story. Just this morning I was out painting and the topic of locking yourself out of your car came up. A fellow artist mentioned it can be really quite scary if you are alone and painting way the heck out in nowhere (just like you!). She showed me a little plastic device she got at Canadian Tire that you enclose a spare key in (it has a strong magnet on the back) and then you put it underneath your car somewhere that is metal. For a couple of bucks it can be a real life saver!

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  3. Wow, do you think you will paint that incredible moose? it seems like a very special moment for you then. Lovely paintings they have such an atmosphere of the wilderness Bruce.

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  4. Hi Ruby!... Thanks for the visit and encouragement!

    Seems like we have shared a lot of common experiences. This moose adventure is special for me as well! They are such noble beasts... survivors of countless hardships the year round. I admire them greatly... symbols for "Me" of wildness... freedom and "hangin' in!

    Thank you for your very gracious comments about the work. Glad that it stirs your memories too!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Thank "You" for the encouragement and for that key tip Kim...I'll be headin' to CTC to latch onto one of those guardian angel capsules... Pronto!

    Congratulationss on the award - it is much deserved! Paint bigger... and with your heart on your cuff... eh? The Universe speaks in mysterious ways!

    See you on the 9th at Ayr!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,

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  6. Hi Caroline!... Thanks for the visit and the uplifting comments!

    Might actually take you up on that moose "portrait"! Really is a challenging subject... and left quite an impact! Stay tuned! We'll see what we can do!

    Like "You" Caroline... wild places are a refuge for "Me"! They restore my soul and my optimism! Painting them comes easily because I feel so much attuned to things wild... and free to be my Self!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce, I discovered you by accident on Ruby's blog. That is how blogging works, isn't it! What a wonderful note you wrote to Ruby and I have copied the note from your mother's bible: so true! I have cousins in Ontario, all over Canada actually, and as I never hear from them I will become a follower of your blog and discover this "Great White North", your moose, landscapes and other art. Nice to meet you!

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  8. Hello Stonepost!... Glads to have "You" join in the fun at my site!

    Blogging is indeed a wonderful way to connect with other like minded individuals who make art and value openly sharing their process and ideas with others.

    I look forward to more chats and will certainly look you up on your site! Thanks for visiting!

    Good Gardening, Good Health...etcWarm regards,
    Bruce

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  9. OMG... I'm sorry but your misadventure did have me laughing...
    I have been there ... in the snow! Luckily also with a happy ending.

    What a WONDERFUL experience ... Gosh aren't we lucky to sometimes share the awe with God's creations?

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  10. Hi Bruce.

    What an exciting story. Those moose are really special.

    Isn't it interesting that even with all our modern aids, we are sometimes forced to fall back on our own resourcefulness and the generosity of strangers.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  11. Hi again Marian!... Good to hear from "You"!

    Yes... it is indeed strange how our lives and experiences... good... bad and laughable (later)...... do intersect!

    The last time this happened to me, I was standing (at 7 pm) in the dark after a long day of painting in the cold and snow... at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

    Fortunately... my cell phone allowed me to connect to roadside service - Great!Not so great... the dispatcher was centred in Tennesee and had no idea where Nova Scotia was it seemed. Two hours of pacing back and forth to stay warm... and I was on my way back home to Chester... crestfallen... but not defeated! HAHA!

    Our wilderness asnd rural refuges are indeed blessings we share Marian! Keep getting ..."Out there"Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  12. Hi Keith!... Thank "You" for visiting!

    Like your trekking and painting adventures into the wilderness areas in your Scotland... they are both memorable and awe-inspiring! Moose always do that for "Me" here in our out-of-the-way places... whenever we very occasionally cross paths.

    Modern aids and technology do indeed link us... as is the case in our blog friendship and that is wonderful! Firsthand contact with generosity deeply restores optimism and enriches us all... wherever we find it present!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Bruce, On this rainy day on Long Island was just spent engrossed in a wonderful"Bruce Adventure". Your blog is always a delight. Your paintings are wonderful. I love the colors, the natural colors that create the beautiful atmospheric quality of your work.

    I am so happy you sent Corey Dolan a Bruce painting. I am sure it will be cherished by him. Isn't life funny. Like the light that constantly changes when painting plein air, so is life.

    All the best to you
    Joan

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  14. Hi there Joan!... Adventure it was Joan! Every trip to The Park is an adventure. Everything there changes. Colour... light... mood... wildlife... even human presence.

    Late autumn is about my most favourite time to be there. One can have The Park pretty much to one's self. Previously unseen hapes emerge... where foliage dominated. Colours are muted... greyed by the atmospheric changes you use so well in your own work!

    Life is indeed changing... always presenting new opportunities to paint... and adding new friends. Where better to be... than "out there"... en plein air...eh Joan?

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. excellent,both animals and paintings,makes a nice change from all those welsh sheep

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  16. Hi there Rob!.... Long time no see or hear!Was a bit worried about "You"! Good to see you back on line! Loved the new "Brillant Trees" posting!Lovely fall colour!

    Autumn has brilliance in its own unique way... in every part of the world. It is indeed wonderful to be able to share and compare that seasonal change with others.

    Welsh sheep... would be very interesting... and exotic... even to "Bruce the Moose"! HAHA!!
    Thanks for sharing Rob! Glad to see you back on line!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. Hello..I just found your blog..beautiful! Gorgeous work..your art is amazing and wonderfully inspiring! It is lovely to meet a fellow artist and Canadian....Ontario too..small world!
    Wonderful blog!
    Have a sparkling wkd ahead!
    Victoria

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  18. Hi Victoria!... Welcome to my blog! Thanks ever so much for finding my blog... and for your gracious remarks and encouragement!

    Having read your first blog briefly... in your own wonderful writings... "I" certainly feel that we share many common beliefs about conducting one's journey... and about maintaining a healthy core of spirituality to go out into life daily.

    Strange how different words or phrases can translate into the same basic meaning. For example... "spirit of abundance" in your terms seems to equate to the word "I" use often..."Gratitude". And so... on it goes. Intersection after intersection. Same basic geographical location... yet never physically meeting.

    Blogging certainly is a positive ... healthy and speedy way to "connect".

    Much Peace and Harmony!... Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  19. Lovely golden paintings, Bruce and thank-you for sharing your moose and good luck story with us all, too!

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  20. Hi there Linny!.... Thanks for your "golden" compliment!

    That means a great deal to "me"... coming from the "Golden Girl" of the Gold Coast(al) region of BC!HaHa!!

    Loved that last Elevator Series piece!Reminds me of my visit to a great one in Saskatchewan!Inspiring it is!

    Think I'll take a page from your "Linny Book"... and sit down to doing it this winter! Get back to you when I have it done!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest... rich "golden" regards back to "You"!
    Bruce

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  21. Hi Bruce,

    It sounds like you had an eventful couple of days. But WOW to be that close to a bull moose, how exciting!!! Lucky you. He is looking dead on at you and he doesn't look to friendly. Lucky you that you got out of there.
    Great adventure Bruce!

    Best to you,

    Sue

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  22. Hi there Sue!.... Eventful those few days were... and the chance "meese" encounter provided a memory that will last a lifetime!

    He certainly was paying more than enough attention to me... but heh... he probably felt the same in reverse... and it was "I"... who was the uninvited voyeur in his dining room! HAHA!!

    Thanks for visiting... I'll get over to see what's new in Grecoland!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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