Seaway Traffic (G3 MARQUIS, RODOPI and OSOGOVO)

A steady parade of upbound ships later in the afternoon...
Plus good visibility of 15-20 miles looking downriver.

Could have used better lighting to capture the freshly painted G3 MARQUIS.

As the MARQUIS approached, a saltwater crane ship was visible in the background.

 

RUDOPI was the next vessel, upbound for Sault Ste Marie.

OSOGOVO followed on the heels of her laden sister...
OSOGOVO was destined for Thunder Bay, and appeared to be travelling light, hatches open to dry the holds.

Amazing how the sunlight can change dramatically in less than an hour.

 

New railroad tracks installed, with fresh asphalt at the crossing.

 

Finally managed to capture a snapshot of a Yellow Warbler.
Not a great shot, but relatively clear...

 

Nesting grounds of the Canada Goose.
Feathers and eggshell remnants.

Seaway Traffic (IVER AMBITION)

Just one ship on this a windy day...

Apparently, just four vessels transited the Seaway system (average is closer to ten for the entire day). IVER AMBITION was the only one I caught, as the other three may have slipped by in the darkness.

IVER AMBITION, downbound

Seaway Traffic (CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN, FEDERAL SATSUKI, SLOMAN DISPATCHER)

One of the longest Seaway ships...
The big CAPTAIN HENRY JACKMAN (downbound).

 

FEDERAL SATSUKI, hatches open, revealing the "H" of the ship's helipad.
I've heard that it takes 45 minutes for a vessel to transit the locks (providing there are no delays)...
The FEDERAL SATSUKI arrived exactly 45 minutes on the heels of the JACKMAN.

So many ships in recent weeks that I completely forgot about SLOMAN DISPATCHER of the "SLOMAN NEPTUN" fleet.

Managed to salvage some of the color of this interesting vessel.

Fills the daily quota of random salties to fill out an afternoon of shipwatching.

Duck, Duck, Ship...

Maple tree, ducklings, and the silhouette of a fishing boat.
I love the sparkles at the feet of the ducklings.

.

Female Mallard Duck.
Presumably the mother of the ducklings seen minutes earlier.

My first- and only ship of the day... The ALGOMA HANSA

Seen her many times - although I don't think I actually have any photographs that do justice to her bright blue hull.

I always seem to notice her asymmetrical design...
Smokestack on one side, lifeboat on the other.

What Lies Beneath...

A calm day with decent visibility for exploring more of the submerged ruins of the Lost Villages...

Acres of toppled and displaced stones with plants growing all around...

Most of the old foundations are comprised of flat rocks...

 

Among the ruins, is a large structure in remarkable condition.

It's very unusual to find a poured concrete foundation...

 

The Dark Side of the Boom...

In this shot the crane of the ALGOMA INTREPID is against the sunlight.
The silhouette profile bears a resemblance to the classic laker with the forward wheelhouse.

xx

Seaway Traffic (FEDERAL NAGARA, ALGOMA INTREPID, HINCH SPIRIT, EVANS SPIRIT)

FEDERAL NAGARA upbound for Sault Ste Marie.

ALGOMA INTREPID downbound for Cote Ste Catherines.

HINCH SPIRIT upbound for Oakville

EVANS SPIRIT downbound.

Railroad Work...

On my way to watch ships at the river - and stopping to take a look at train stuff!

Even more equipment has arrived at the crossing.

Pieces to be removed have been spray painted orange...
Complete with arrows. No doubt costing a small fortune, can't afford any screw-ups.

 

Making Tracks...

On my way to the river, stopping at the (relocated) CN Railway, approximately one or two miles north of the St. Lawrence River.

New sections of pre-assembled train tracks, ready to be installed.

Just sitting there like pieces of a giant train-set.

A mini-excavator was on-site when I passed the tracks on the way home.

xxx