A Visit to Ruthven Park – and Possible Reader Event

I recently spent a couple of enjoyable hours at Ruthven Park in Cayuga, Ontario, and thought I would share a few images with readers.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 160, 1/250, f/5.6

Ruthven Park is an historic estate that overlooks the Grand River. It is the former home of the Thompson family, with members involved with the military, politics, business and the arts.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 800, 1/500, f/8.0

The mansion was built between 1845 and 1847 and is filled with furnishings and various Thompson family possessions. The buildings are part of a 1,500 acre estate that is now controlled by the Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 8.8mm, ISO 800, 1/400, f/8.0

The Trust is a not for profit, non government organization that was established in 1994. It is volunteer driven with the intent of preserving the Ruthven Park National Historic Site.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 160, 1/400, f/5.6

Various educational programs, special events and tours are conducted at the facility. Guided tours of the mansion range in price from $3.00 for children to $10.00 for adults. Family pricing and group tours are also available.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 160, 1/80, f/8.0

I visit Ruthven Park National Historic Site a few times a year and always find it to be an enjoyable experience.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 13mm, ISO 160, 1/125, f/8.0

There is a bird banding building on site and during the spring and fall migrations a licensed bander conducts banding programs. Numerous volunteers are involved with the programs. Data collected is sent to the Canadian Wildlife Service.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 160, 1/320, f/8.0

The grounds are a great place to go for a hike, commune with nature, and capture a few images.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 160, 1/125, f/8.0

People interested in architectural, landscape and nature photography will find that the 1,500 acre grounds provides many image opportunities.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 13mm, ISO 160, 1/250, f/8.0

There is a butterfly meadow and various bird nesting boxes on the property.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 13mm, ISO 160, 1/80, f/8.0

The various trails are well-marked and maintained. Ruthven Park is located in an area of Ontario that is at the northernmost edge of the Carolinian Canada vegetation zone.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 11.9mm, ISO 800, 1/640, f/8.0

There are over 900 acres of forest at Ruthven Park, making it a favourite location for many hikers.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, ISO 800, 1/1250, f/8.0

One of the trails provides views of the Grand River and during the migration season a wide range of bird species can be found on this particular trail, as well as on the other more forested trails at the site.

NIKON 1 J5 + 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 11.7mm, ISO 800, 1/1600, f/8.0

Folks who visit Ruthven Park but do not partake in the educational programs or the mansion tour can still support the facility by leaving a donation at the gate house, or in the donation box should they visit outside of regular operating hours.

Possible Photography Life reader event…

I would be interested in knowing if any Photography Life readers would like to visit Ruthven Park National Historic Site. At this point I have a couple of dates in mind. Either the morning of Saturday July 8th or Saturday July 15th, depending on the weather cooperating. Please let me know by tapping me a quick email so I can gauge interest and determine which date works best for most people.

Article and all images Copyright 2016 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, adaptation or reproduction of any kind is allowed without express written consent. Photography Life is the only approved user of this article. If you see it reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use.

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