Wildflower Walk 2026

📝📸 John Lowry

It was a bright and sunny day on May 9^th, 2026, as a group of 30 people gathered at Point Petre to head out on the South Shore Joint Initiative’s 2026 Wildflower Walk. The ever present wind was a tad on the chilly side, but it was still a perfect day to explore the beautiful South Shore.

The walk participants were divided into two groups which set out separately; one under the leadership of Joanne Dewey, the other led by John Lowry. The walkers toured the beautiful deciduous forest that occupies a site just west of the juncture of County Road 24 and the Army Reserve Road.

Nature did not disappoint as the forest floor was carpeted with large numbers of assorted spring wildflowers. Delighting the eye of the participants were a variety including Dutchman’s Breeches, Yellow Trout Lilies, Cut-leaved Toothwort, Purple Cress, Early Blue Cohosh and Mayapple. Putting on a great show was the Carolinian species – Twinleaf which was nicely in bloom.

Twinleaf

And if one were watchful there were various birds and critters to be seen. A Common Garter Snake poked it’s head out of the undergrowth and the flowers were attracting a variety of bees and even a few Greater Bee Flies.

Mining Bee

All of this was set against the always beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Ontario. Judging from the comments of the participants at the end of the walk, “A good time was had by all.”

Love days like this? Join us for more guided walks and the all‑day South Shore Fest on June 13 — free, family‑friendly, and full of nature fun. Register here: https://www.ssji.ca/2026_south_shore_fest

Learn more about South Shore Wildflowers and other South Shore Biodiversity projects.