Woke up to one of those magical sunny and calm Quetico mornings, and was able to enjoy my coffee and lemon poppyseed coffee cake (baked last night) on the rocks overlooking Fred. [URL=http://s75.photobucket.com/user/MadBirdman/media/Quetico%202016%20Veron/FredsCoffeeBar_zpscqh4bpj0.jpg.html]

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[/URL] On the move again today, as it was our last full day in the park. A bit of wind kicked up, but nothing too significant, and soon we were through Fred, Heron Bay, and into upper Sturgeon. Lunch stop on Blueberry Island, and then we moved up through the Dieux Rivieres again. This time, I was ready with my camera, but we paddled by the moose sighting spot without seeing anything. We rounded a corner further upriver, and there, right in front of us, was a large moose with its head underwater! We waited in anticipation to see if it was the same bull, and he lifted his head finally, letting the water run down his velvet-laden antlers. [URL=http://s75.photobucket.com/user/MadBirdman/media/Quetico%202016%20Veron/Moose1_zpsmtosc2be.jpg.html]

[/URL] We were downwind of him and really quiet, and eased our way up alongside a river-wide beaver dam. Since we were a couple of feet below him in the water, the dam served as a blind of sorts, and he could probably only see our heads and shoulders. The magnificent animal was only about 20 yards away…close enough where we could hear him munching the greens he kept dunking his head in for. He was not bothered by us, and we watched him for 10 minutes or so. Finally, he shuffled over to the bank, and moved away from us into the woods. What a sighting! Was really one of the coolest wildlife encounters I have had in my trips, and it was made especially sweet since I had more than enough pictures this time! [URL=http://s75.photobucket.com/user/MadBirdman/media/Quetico%202016%20Veron/Moose4_zpsme31xuw3.jpg.html]

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[/URL] Next, it was through Twin and Dore, and back up into Pickeral. The portages, to us anyway, seemed more difficult in this direction, since we had already put some miles behind us and they were definitely uphill generally. By the time, we got into Pine Portage Bay again, we were feeling pretty tired. We had arranged a Stanton Back pickup by 8am the next day, so we needed to at least get to midlake before we camped since the weather could always change. We saw a couple of groups camped in the southern parts of the lake, and we dragged our weary selves into a small midlake island site. It fit the bill just fine, and we were treated to one of the best sunsets I have ever seen, followed by a stunning carpet of stars. Just a perfect last night in God’s country.

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