I visited Troop Island for the second time this year on August 2. The weather was iffy with showers the day before and the day after the trip but the trip itself had fine weather, mostly cloudy bright with a few bursts of sun. 23 folks expressed interest in the trip but many did not show up. We had two boats and I left with two others on the first departure at 8AM with Beth McGee tasked to be the skipper once again. My companion on the trek was Petra Mudie. She kept me on the move and tasked me to observe and take photographs as she led the way.
Petra Mudie
The following map shows the route we followed during the circuit of the island.
Troop Island Route
The water level in the bog north of the pond was low so we were able to navigate through although we had to avoid the potholes which can swallow a water buffalo.
The shoreline although scenic was not easy to walk even at low tide. The after effects of wind and surf were evident.
The West Side Shoreline
East Side Shoreline
Storm Tossed Flotsum West Side Beach
South-east Shoreline
Unidentified 1
Unidentified 2
Unidentified 3
Unidentified 4
Unidentified 5, Bog Cranberry?
Unidentified 6, Bog Cranberry?
Unidentified 7
Unidentified 8
Old Man's Beard, Usnea
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
The following photo of the Virginia Ctenucha Moth was not taken on Troop Island but on my front porch several years ago. I include it here to show the beauty of this critter.
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
Acorn Barnacle?
Bracket Fungus
Bracket Fungus
Butter and Eggs
Butter and Eggs
Canada Hawkweed
Green Dead Man's Fingers, Codium Fragile Green Fleece Algae
Indian Pipe
Indian Pipe
Unidentified 9
Seapea
The Roof of the Old Growth Forest
In the Dark Forest Were Three Fairies
Unidentified 10, The Mother Tree
John Himmelman in the Mother Tree
The North-east Corner of the Bog, North of the Pond
The North-east Corner of the Bog, North of the Pond
The Bog, North of the Pond
The Bog, North of the Pond
The Bog, North of the Pond
Flotsom at the East End of the Pond
The Pond Looking to the West
Unidentifed 11
Unidentifed 12
Unidentifed 13
Cinquefoil
Unidentified 14
Unidentified 15
Unidentified 16
Unidentified 17
Unidentified 18
Unidentified 19
Unidentified 20
Unidentified 21
Unidentified 22
Unidentified 23
Unidentified 24
Unidentified 25
Unidentified 26
Unidentified 27
Unidentified 28
Unidentified 29
Unidentified 30
Unidentified 31, Moth in Sea Weeds
Unidentified 32
Unidentified 33
Unidentified 34
Unidentified 35
Unidentified 36
Unidentified 37
Unidentified 38
Unidentified 39
Unidentified 40
Unidentified 41
Petra says that this plant is rare in Nova Scotia. I used a macro lens to photograph it but unfortunately these lenses when shooting close to a subject have almost no depth of field. She told me the name of the plant but I didn't keep notes.
Unidentified 42
Unidentified 43, Same as Above
I was not active in searching for birds as Petra keep me too busy but Bob McDonald has a complete list, which I've copied here. I've also included a few additions.
Troop Island Bird List
Updated 3 August 2014
Petra and I completed our circuit in about three and one half hours. I was exhausted after hobbling around on a bad knee but I think Petra could have repeated the loop without problem.
It was a memorable excursion with fine company on the trail and gorgeous weather. Even the insects were not too bad.