Whether it’s been playing and frolicking with family or slow, introspective walks alone, I’ve spent many an enjoyable hour on a beach — with or without my camera. I’ve found sea glass, shells — even a perfect starfish on Clearwater Beach — driftwood, glass bottles (no messages), and so much more. I enjoy my beach strolls at all times of year and on all types of beaches.
Today I’m going to share four favourite Ontario Beaches with you — Presqu’ile Provincial Park (my original and one true love) and more recently, Wheatley Provincial Park, Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, and Point Pelee National Park. I’ve found serenity strolling along all four and, with a bit of luck, that peace will shine through in my photographs.
Presqu’ile PP, Brighton, ON
This is a very busy beach, used by resident campers, day use visitors and locals alike. My favourite time to wander this beach was very early in the morning whilst I had it to myself. I got a weird satisfaction from creating the first footprints across the freshly dredged sand. ‘Though listed as having three beaches (and indeed, there are three parking lots and three portals), in fact it is one long beach.
Facing north:
Facing south:
These are two of my favourite pictures at Presqu’ile. First, this wee girlie was busily digging herself into the sand. I asked if she was looking for buried treasure and she replied, Of course not. I’m going to the land down under.
Every autumn The Friends of Presqu’ile host an event called Monarchs and Migrants. I volunteered each year and took pictures for the Friends’ website. One year I was fascinated by this Seagull. It stood stock-still for nearly an hour, just watching the Monarchs flutter past. Not an event just for us humans, then…
Since moving to Kingsville, my park is now actually three parks.
Wheatley PP, Wheatley, ON
Wheatley PP is primarily a campers venue, ‘though lots of locals cycle and walk the park daily. There aren’t many day use visitors (except for me, of course). The beach at Wheatley is very different from any others I’ve visited. It is very pebbly and the sand is a dark brown colour (even when it is dry). Unlike Presqu’ile, where the beach is groomed each day, the beach at Wheatley is all natural — no benches, no picnic tables, no barbecues. Any fallen trees that pose a hazard are removed, but otherwise, completely unaltered by humans. Meaning it’s not exactly “pretty” (doesn’t appeal to the influencers!), but it is spectacularly beautiful through all four seasons.
Facing west:
Facing east:
Great brekkie spot:
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, Leamington, ON
Hillman Marsh is one of the finest locations for wildlife photographers. Whether you like shooting birds, waders, amphibians, reptiles, water mammals, insects, butterflies — you name it, you can find it at Hillman. Even so it is, sadly, one of the most underutilised properties in the Conservation Ontario portfolio. It has a lovely crescent beach which, ninety-nine times out of one hundred, I have all to myself. This is another all natural beach (again, no benches, no picnic tables, no barbecues).
Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, ON
The jewel in the crown of Essex County is undoubtedly Point Pelee National Park. It has several beaches, all on the west side of the peninsula. Each one is designed with tourists in mind. Each one has a good-sized parking area, a lovely and clean comfort station and, on the beach itself, plenty of picnic tables and barbecues. My favourite is Black Willow because it is one of the least used beaches. I’ve no idea why this is (it is beautiful):
West Beach, the southernmost beach, is the last spot where it is safe to swim. Heading south from there towards The Tip, tides, riptides and currents combine to make the water very unsafe — even for paddlers and waders. From West Beach you can see The Tip Tower which overlooks Lake Erie, Middle Island and the marshes of both Point Pelee and Hillman. It affords a truly spectacular view.
The Tip is a local source of pride because it is the southernmost, mainland piece of Canada. You cannot call yourself a local ’til you’ve walked out to the tip. I avoid it like the plague during the spring/summer/fall months because — tourists, tourists, tourists — every day there is a veritable queue to get to the tip. But come winter…
The actual southernmost part of Canada is Middle Island. This small island, 33 km south of The Tip in Lake Erie, also part of the national park, is the absolute southernmost piece of land in Canada.
My heart absolutely loves wandering the beach. It is where I solve problems, shake off stress and worry, deal with loss, and regain my true north. There’s nothing better for a broken or troubled heart than time on the beach!
Inland Seas and the Wandering Heart
The shoreline calls in whispers soft and low,
Where waves re-write the secrets that they know.
With boots in winter, bare feet in the heat,
The sand is a haven for wandering feet.
A hunter’s eye looks down to find the prize:
The frosted sea glass catching summer skies,
The spiraled shell, the driftwood worn to bone,
The quiet magic of a lakeside stone.
At Presqu’ile, where the marsh and waters meet,
The camera clicks, a fleeting joy complete.
Through Wheatley’s woods and down to sandy shores,
The spirit lifts, forgets its daily chores.
At Hillman Marsh, the wings of shorebirds glide,
While Pelee stretches out into the tide—
A pointed finger reaching for the deep,
Where memories and drifting currents sleep.
No bottles carry letters on the foam,
Yet every wave feels like a welcome home.
For whether sharing laughs or walking free,
The soul finds peace beside the inland sea.
Many thanks to the Beachy-keen Terri for reminding us today, National Beach Day, to remember and share our beach joy. Her blog post is chock-a-block with amazing, pretty, cute and adorable (two pups) photographs and narrative. Please take a few minutes to read her post, you’ll be so glad you did, promise:
Sunday Stills: It’s National #Beach Day—Let’s Go to the Beach!
’Til next time, y’all…
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