Today, we did our first trail hike since arriving here almost 4 weeks ago, climbing to the top of Louil Hill in Terra Nova National Park. It was a pretty easy hike, about 4 kms, with a wooden staircase leading to the top of the hill. I felt like I was back in Hamilton, climbing the escarpment stairs, but as you can see, the view is quite different. This is boreal forest, dominated by alders, birch, balsam fir, black spruce, and many different kinds of lichen.
Turns out that Newfoundland is a lichen paradise, due to its cool, wet climate, relatively undisturbed forests, and clean air. Lichen is extremely sensitive to air pollution, and so is often a bellwether for environmental change. Here’s just two types that we encountered today.
Reindeer lichen 
Varied rag lichen (I think)
We’re fortunate to live just a few kilometres south of the Park. We’ve purchased an annual pass, anticipating that we’ll spend a lot of time there.
The only wildlife we saw on our hike was a squirrel. It was super cute, and much smaller than the squirrels in Ontario. It made little squeaking sounds as it checked us out from a safe distance, like a squeaky toy. We saw moose and bear scat, but no moose or bears. (We have, however, seen a moose crossing the Trans Canada Highway twice already – once at a close enough distance that we had to come to a complete stop.)
I will have a lot more to say about moose, I’m sure.
Yes, my understanding is that moose can be a significant danger when driving in NL…much bigger than deer which are dangerous enough. I knew it would take you long to get up to Terra Nova, such a bonus to be so close and so much to explore. It was nice of the animal kingdom to break you in gradually with a friendly little squirrel! Love your posts!
There’s a road sign at the entrance to Terra Nova that tells you how many moose-car accidents in the park this year and last year. There were 15 last year. None yet this year, but the park isn’t open yet.
You saw moose! Congrats!
Yay!
Amazing, beautiful and natural. Yes, much different scenery than in Hamilton, and no people. Love reading your posts. Thanks, Peggy
Newfoundland is amazingly empty. Except for moose, of course. 😉
I loved the pictures of lichen, of Les and the boreal forest and of you in your new NL rubber boots. Newfoundland is clearly a beautiful and unique place, and connecting to it through hiking and stomping in mud flats sounds like fabulous ways to experience it.
Thanks Julie! I highly recommend stomping in mud flats whenever possible.