Just happened to choose Ault Island as a vantage point to catch the upbound Canada Steamship Lines vessel RT. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN (aka H.M. GRIFFITH).Shortly after arriving at the water, I could hear the faint sound of engines that I presumed could only belong to the 1973-built carrier (which has since been lengthened and re-named in 2000).
Much to my surprise, the vessel slowed to a crawl...Eventually she started drifting backwards, then I heard the awesome clanking of the anchor chain as the ship pulled into what one Islander referred to as "their parking spot".
Could have sworn that I saw another vessel on the horizon upriver...After seeming to disappear behind the trees, another ship emerged - The WICKY SPIRIT had just finished navigating around Goose Neck Island Shoal, and was now heading towards me (and the anchored PAUL MARTIN).
WICKY SPIRIT downbound on the St. Lawrence River.
The tiny McKeil ship is dwarfed by the "SeawayMax" CSL vessel.
Standing
on the shore, something seemed to be moving towards me. At first I
thought it was just a stick drifting, but it was definitely alive.Could not tell if it was the fins of a fish, a bird or a beaver... I snapped several shots before it disappeared. Looking at the photos afterwards, it appears the creature was a Mink.
Further upriver, another majestic view from Mariatown. The visibility was actually quite good, even being able to see the Iroquois Lock vessel "traffic light" outside the entrance to the lock itself.Note to self, vessels between this spot and the Iroquois Locks will disappear from sight as the channel zig-zags behind the next point upriver.
Expecting to see one more downbound vessel, headed upriver until I encountered the green-hulled SUNDA just a few kilometers from the Iroquois Locks.The Old Highway 2 runs along Lakeshore Drive, sometimes making a brief appearance on land before disappearing beneath the water. This small patch of Old Highway 2 becomes a popular resting place for waterfowl.
Good visibility but relatively poor lighting, most of the snapshots did not reveal the cool-looking green paint on this vessel. 
Went to Upper Canada Village (just west of Ault Island) in the hopes of catching the ALGOMA INNOVATOR (destined for Gooderich). No such luck, as the vessel was delayed, and wouldn't be there until dark.
The port side anchor of the SUNDA was hanging from its' chain as she pulled right in behind the PAUL MARTIN before dropping her anchor. A rare treat to see two ships being anchored off the Island... 
I half expected the upbound ALGOMA HANSA to also take up temporary residence here... The HANSA has been known to frequently stop at this location for crew rest. Checking the tracker after I got home, the ALGOMA HANSA (destined for Nanticoke) would continue upriver to transit the Iroquois Locks, followed by the PAUL MARTIN (destined for Superior).
Twelve hours later, it appears as if all three vessels (HANSA, PAUL MARTIN and the INNOVATOR) had cleared the Seaway System to the Gulf St. Lawrence, and entering Lake Ontario. The OAKGLEN (destined for Toronto) was trailing behind, passing through Brockville.