Cedar - Hemer Provincial Park in October

Path through Hemer Park

This Vancouver Island post takes us to Hemer Provincial Park in October.  On the day these photos were taken (2012-10-22) the leaves had started turning colours and some blackberries were making a valiant effort to ripen.

Viewing platform at the edge of the Hemer Park marsh

Hemer Provincial Park, an easy drive south of Nanaimo is located on Holden Lake.

Holden Lake

A set of trails, about 11 kilometres in total, takes walkers (and the occasional jogger, some horse-back riders, and plenty of pooches) along the shore of Holden Lake and through some marsh areas. The marsh areas are particularly interesting in the late spring as there's an abundance of flowers in bloom. The wild roses fill the air with a wonderful fragrance and the water Irises but on a great yellow show as visitors watch the numerous Trumpeter Swans on the marsh.  

There's a viewing platform at the edge of the marsh, approximately 1 km from the parking lot. Stop here for the roses and watch ducks, Trumpeter Swans, Bald eagles and Turkey Vultures.

Path through Hemer Park