Our Self-guided Tour of Hanging Heart Lakes, Saskatchewan

From our accommodation at Baker’s Bungalows in Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, Bob and I set off early one morning to arrange a rental boat.  We wanted to do a self-guided tour of Hanging Heart Lakes.

 

Being in no hurry, we stopped next to a roadside pond to observe some ducks.

There were several species present but they kept their distance except for this Hooded Merganser.  A pair of Common Loons chaperoned their babies around the small body of water, as well.

Having arrived an hour before the Hanging Heart Lakes Marina opened, we decided to motor further along Kingsmere Road to get a feel for the lay of the land.

After turning the car around near the trailhead for Grey Owl’s Cabin Trail, we promptly saw a big Black Bear on the road.  It would be the first of several that we saw during our stay in the Park.  Driving back towards the Marina, Bob and I also caught sight of 2 Fishers sprinting across Kingsmere Road in the distance.

Arriving just as the Marina opened for the day’s business, we were promptly assisted and in no time were on our way in a motorboat for our self-guided tour of Hanging Heart Lakes.

The staff at the Marina made us aware of a pair of nesting Bald Eagles along the shore of one of the lakes, so we were keen to see if we could locate the aerie.

While Bob helmed the motorboat, I had my eyes glued to a pair of binoculars.

Hanging Heart Lakes are considered small in comparison to others in the Park, but their size still presented a challenge.  The shoreline was distant and so thickly populated with trees that I was sure I would miss spotting the Bald Eagle’s nest.

The Hanging Heart Lakes are three small lakes joined together forming a waterway from Waskesiu Lake into Crean Lake.  Crean Lake is one of the biggest and deepest lakes in any Canadian National Park.

Having motored the length of the first of the Hanging Heart Lakes, we drew near channel markers to guide us on our way.  The Hanging Heart Lakes are shallow, so we had to heed the channel markers in order to avoid running aground.

As the channel widened into the next wide expanse of water, the thick growth of evergreen trees had me contemplating the name Hanging Heart Lakes.  One story has it that the Woodland Cree and Dene people who lived in the area named the lake after one of their traditions.  Following a successful hunt, the hunters would “hang the hearts” of their prey on trees around the lake as a show of respect for the fallen animals.

Another take on the naming of the chain of lakes is that the ancient Dene people took exception to Cree moving westward into their territory.  After a battle ensued, the Dene people would hang the hearts of their slain enemies on the branches of trees surrounding the lake.  I prefer the first theory over this more macabre version of history.

The second lake in the chain of Hanging Heart Lakes was much larger than the first with even more trees standing tall along the shoreline.

Finally, we thought we had picked out the Bald Eagle’s nest atop a snag.  If so, it was partially obscured from our view by a thick conifer.  Given the size of eagles’ nests, we expected it to be more obvious.

Steering our boat in that direction changed our vantage point enabling us to confirm that we had found it.

Bob and I were excited to see one adult Bald Eagle on the nest.

Edging our boat as near to shore as we dared, we dropped anchor and waited to see if there would be any action at the nest.

A few other birds kept us occupied while we ate our picnic lunch such as this female Common Goldeneye.  Quietly paddling along the shore, it took flight once it spotted us in its path.

Turning our eyes to the sky when a shadow passed overhead revealed a Belted Kingfisher.  Hanging Heart Lakes are reputed to be the best place in the Park to catch Walleye, and although we didn’t see the Kingfisher dive for a fish, I’m sure there was no shortage of potential prey.

Between the two of us, Bob and I always kept watch on the Eagle’s nest and before long, an Eaglet’s head popped up over the brim.  With beak agape, it was begging for food from its parent.

With the motorboat bobbing gently on the waves, Bob and I spent a good half hour anchored within sight of the nest.  During that time, it became evident that the adult was patiently waiting for its mate to return with food.  When we observed the adult Eagle surveying the sky, we kept our fingers crossed that its mate would fly in.

Sure enough, a second Bald Eagle approached and joined its mate at the aerie.  We were so excited and glad that we had waited.

The arriving Eagle without a doubt brought a delivery of food.  One adult was kept busy ripping off pieces to feed to the Eaglet.  At this point, we decided to continue on our way.

Manning a motorized vessel meant that Bob had to keep a keen eye out for other boaters.  Along the far shore of the second lake, a couple of red canoes stood out against the green background of trees.

As we drew nearer the canoes, it became apparent that the paddlers were also heading in our direction to a channel connecting the second lake to the third.

As Bob and I cruised along, spruce-scented air wafted over us carried on a gentle breeze.  With the sun beating down, it was quite hot, 75° Fahrenheit.

Bob and I had already decided that we would not proceed beyond the third lake, but we were eager to take a spin around it before turning back to the marina.

In one quiet corner close to shore, fishermen had set up their lines in hopes of catching a Walleye.  We steered a wide berth and slowed our speed.

Off to our right, a Common Loon was diving for fish.  After considerable time spent preening, the Loon rose up and performed a dramatic wing flap.

Three hours had passed since we left the dock so it was time to make haste back to the marina.  We were blessed with very calm water owing to the shallow depth of the lakes and lack of wind.

Hanging Heart Lakes Marina came into view as we made plans for the rest of the afternoon.  Doing a self-guided tour of Hanging Heart Lakes had proved very worthwhile and was easily accomplished.  This had been an enjoyable adventure, one of many more to come in Prince Albert National Park.

Frame to Frame – Bob and Jean