01 October 2007

Thompson, Manitoba and Paint Lake

Yesterday, I drove from Flin Flon to near Thompson. Camped at Paint Lake about 20 minutes west of Thompson.
Saw lots of Red-tailed Hawks hunting along the highway, probably 15 or more, widely spaced but still here. They have not migrated out yet. These are the late fall migrants caught at hawk banding stations like Duluth, MN.
Lots of Beaver dams and lodges in the roadside ponds and ditches. No Moose as the hunting season is on right now. The most common birds are Ravens and Red-tails although I also saw a few Bald Eagles, Gray Jays, Spruce Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Mallards, Canada Geese and American Robins! Actually heard a House Sparrow here in Thompson a minute ago.
Put in 237 miles today, and a total of 2,035 for the trip so far.
Finally got up the courage to convert liters of gasoline into gallons this morning and discovered that I paid $4.50 per gallon yesterday, the highest I've ever experienced. With the exchange rate at parity, a dollar Canadian to a dollar US, gas is costly in the north.
(Beaver lodge on pond near Thompson, Manitoba)