I wasn't quite telling the truth when I said that I didn't have any plans for my infrared Coolpix A. Getting out of the city with the Toronto chapter of the Bruce Trail Club has been on the list for me and Penny for quite a while, so taking the AIR into the wilderness is something I was anticipating when I sent it off to be modified. Today was my first chance to really put it to work.

Happily I also just added the Nikon adapter set that holds my 093 filter, which converts it into a pure-IR monochrome camera. There's no way I was going to leave it at home when I'm out surrounded by greenery and blue skies.

It was a big group, with every seat on the bus filled. The trip to and from Orangeville was quick and easy, and the confusingly-named Island Lake Conservation Area – a reservoir, not a natural lake – is surrounded by groomed paths that were distinctly park-like. 

Admittedly, Orangeville isn't part of the Bruce Trail system, but it was still a great outing and a perfect day to not be in the city. The bus fare is quite reasonable, and how else would we be in Orangeville for a sunny afternoon?

The lake is crossed in several places by long wooden bridges that linked the various trails. Perhaps I need to get out more, but I haven't seen this before. Walking between the islands, little fishing boats passing beneath, seemed like a very democratic way to experience the water.

Of course it might have been easier to build them before the reservoir was flooded, but things don't always work out that way.

And of course, there are trees. 

Even though I'm still very new to the Bruce Trail club, it was odd to not be on the Bruce trail. I found myself checking for white blazes even though this path was nearly impossible to miss. Almost disappointingly groomed. On the other hand, it was nice to not have to constantly watch my footing for rocks and roots – it made pointing the camera much easier. Life's a barter.

And of course, wherever I go, there's Helvetica.

And Helvetica is doing what it does best, enforcing prohibitions and marking territory in a clear, legible way with its large X-height. But of course it could be worse – it could be in Arial. That always grates on me when I see it.

It probably shouldn't surprise anyone that I'd be at a complete loss to identify the vast majority of the plants and animals that I saw, though. There was a chipmunk, a red-winged black bird, and dandelions. Beyond that I'm at a bit of a loss. But the good news is that I have lots of walks still to do, and eventually I may figure out some of this 'nature' stuff, too.