My goal on this little trip through God’s country (Northwest Ontario) was Rossport.  This was irrational. What attracted me to this area was a couple of photographs I had seen in some photo books of Canada that showed a tiny little island beside the Trans-Canada highway somewhere near Rossport. I also remembered driving by it the last time we drove to the east coast and came back along the Trans-Canada. I had caught a very brief glimpse of it driving by but thought for some reason I did not have time to stop. We were hurrying back because we had a meeting arranged with our family. Failing to stop haunted me. I saw this as a chance to redeem myself for my negligence.  I knew it was a long-shot that I would be able to find it. After all, the photo book described it as “near Rossport.” Was that enough?

I was unable to see it at Rossport. I inquired of a couple I met at an overlook who were traveling from Deep River Ontario to the west coast, but they had not seen it. I also stopped at a little provincial park just past Rossport. I thought I was in luck because the interpreter in the office said he was a photographer. Surely he would know how to find this. But he had no idea where it was.  I glumly left the office about ready to give up, but I decided to drive a little farther, on his recommendation because he said Rainbow Falls  up the road a short bit, would be worth a visit. I also love waterfalls. So, off I went to at least see the falls.

Amazingly, less than a ¼ of a mile past the interpreter’s office, in just a very small opening in the trees, I saw the scenic little island as I drove by. I could not have seen it for more than half a second! I stopped the car and turned around and this time drove slowly and sure enough, there it was. It was a miracle! I climbed out and found a place to photograph it from the side of the road. I really appreciated my amazing luck in finding it.

However, photographing this little island was actually tricky. It was a very awkward spot. There was only one spot where I could see it from the roadside, and I was not keen on walking down a steep hill to the lake shore, which likely would not afford any better view. At least so I rationalized my decision to stay up top and photograph it from there. The light was very dull, so I was certain the photograph would be dull too.

I was actually surprised that the image I captured was not quite as dull as I thought. It was not a great image, but I took what I could get. As photographers know, you have to dance with the girl you brung.