Dividing clear blue waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron in southern Ontario, there is a peninsula called the Bruce Peninsula. On its northern tip, a magic place with an incredible array of natural wonders is situated – Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Dramatic sculptural cliffs rise out from the turquoise waters. Twisted centennial cedars spiral from the cliff edges. A multitude of orchids and ferns take root in a mosaic of habitats. Black bears roam and rare reptiles find refuge in rocky areas. And the nights are so dark and starry that almost surreal. Welcome to the Natural Wonderland!

Being one of the largest protected areas in southern Ontario and occupying 156 sq. km, Bruce Peninsula National Park forms the core of UNESCO’s Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve.

7 Natural wonders of Bruce Peninsula National Park

1

Clear waters

The water of Lake Huron is a natural wonder on its own right. Why it’s so clear and blue (or turquoise when close to the shore)? It’s due to a combination of factors:

1. Water clarity: Lake Huron is known for its exceptional water clarity. It is often relatively free from suspended particles and sediments, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the water column.
2. Reflection and scattering: The colour of water is influenced by the way it absorbs and scatters light. In Lake Huron, the water molecules absorb longer-wavelength colours such as red and reflect or scatter shorter-wavelength colours such as blue.
3. Algal blooms: Algal blooms can make variations in water colour, ranging from green to brown. However, such blooms do not occur often and consistently and are more characteristic of specific areas and seasons.
4. Sunlight and atmospheric conditions: The appearance of the water can also be influenced by the intensity and angle of sunlight, as well as atmospheric conditions such as cloud cover. Bright, sunny days with clear skies tend to enhance the perception of vibrant blue water.

2

Sculptured cliffs

The dolomite rock of the escarpment is very old – about 400 million years. The harder dolomite forms much of the rock of the cliffs along Bruce Peninsula National Park’s Georgian Bay shoreline. Softer limestone has been eroded away by water action, creating magnificent sculptured cliffs at various points along the shore for which the area is famous.

The park is home to many coves and caves that curious visitors can explore. Indian Head Cove is naturally sculpted limestone cliffs and a cobblestone beach. Driftwood Cove boasts a rare cliff-edge ecosystem with some of the oldest trees in Canada.

3

The Grotto

The spectacular sea cave called “The Grotto” is one of the natural wonders and iconic attractions of the park. It features a mesmerizing turquoise pool of water, created by the sunlight filtering through it. Also, this scenic cave has an underwater tunnel leading to Georgian Bay that often glows on sunny days. The Grotto is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping, and its unique beauty draws visitors from near and far.

There are two ways to get here, you can either climb down the rock formations or go down a secret tunnel in the rocks that leads directly into the sea cave called “the chimney”

4

Alvars

In contrast to lush forests, alvars are unique landscapes of flat, barren and largely treeless limestone openings where millennia ago soils were scraped away by ice, wind and water. The term “alvar” is used to describe a type of ecosystem, much as we use words like prairie or tundra. This stressed habitat supports a community of rare plants and animals; actually, alvars are far from barren, for they are home to myriad distinctive species of flora and fauna.

Alvars are globally rare habitats found only in a few places on earth – in the Baltic region of Europe, in Estonia and on islands off the coast of Sweden. About 120 alvar sites are found across North America but most of them are concentrated within the Great Lakes basin.

Only about 30 years ago, it was discovered that some sites have ancient stunted trees dating back 300 to 500 years. In 1995, biologists identified the slow-growing ancient cedars on the cliffs on Bruce Peninsula as another class of ancient forest.

5

Orchids

The park has a fantastic array of unique wild orchids. You can find 34 orchid species there, which is 2/3 of all orchid species found in Ontario. Bruce Peninsula is an ecological hotspot for rare orchids in North America. But don’t pick the flowers! It’s illegal! And there are many reasons for that.

Orchids are very sensitive to their environment. This makes them especially vulnerable to any changes. Environmental changes, invasive species, human exploitation and many other factors make it difficult for some orchids to survive. Orchids are usually highly specialized and require precise growing conditions. They are nearly impossible to transplant.

The park’s diverse ecosystems, including its forests, wetlands, and alvars, provide habitats for orchids to thrive. Here are a few rare orchid species that can be found there:

1. Showy Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium reginae): This is one of the most well-known and striking orchid species in North America. It features large pink or white flowers with a pouch-like structure resembling a slipper.
2. Ram’s Head Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum): This orchid species is smaller in size compared to the Showy Lady’s Slipper. It has unique flowers with a yellow pouch and twisted purple-brown petals.
3. White Adder’s Mouth (Malaxis brachypoda): The plant has small, delicate white flowers with a distinctive lip. It typically grows in moist areas, such as wet meadows and mossy bogs.

6

Centennial cedars

When you look at these small cedars you cannot believe that they could be centennial old. The oldest known tree In Ontario can be found on the cliffs of Lion’s Head. At first glance the ancient eastern white cedars sprawling from rocks may appear to be weathered, weak and unhealthy. However, these trees are known to be as old as 1330 years old! The oldest trees in Canada!

They have sturdy trunks, often with a gnarled and twisted appearance due to their advanced age and exposure to the elements. These ancient trees contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity and serve as important habitats for various organisms, including birds, insects, and other wildlife.

The park’s ecological diversity and conservation efforts have allowed these centennial cedars to thrive and continue to grow.

7

Stunning vistas

Bruce Peninsula National Park is by far one of the most spectacular national parks in Canada. With its turquoise water, stunning sculptural cliffs, rocky areas, and forests, it is a wonderful place for picture-perfect photos.

Also, there is a designated Dark Sky Preserve in the park. This status acknowledges the exceptional quality of the night sky in the area, making it a fantastic location for stargazing and astrophotography. Bottom line, Bruce Peninsula National Park is an eye-delight place. Isn’t it a natural wonder on its own right?!

Sources:

• https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/nature
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Peninsula_National_Park