Schubenacadie Wildlife Park

I finally did it! This is my third summer in Nova Scotia and we finally had time, opportunity and beautiful weather to go visit Schubenacadie Wildlife Park in the valley. We attempted once before but did not print out directions and never found it that day so take my advice, print out directions or program your GPS just to be sure.



I love peacocks and think of them fondly. They roam the grounds of Hatley Castle on Vancouver Island and I would go sit with them in the garden all the time. On my first walk through the woods around the castle I heard their cry and was convinced I had heard a pterodactyl crying out! It was fantastic to be with them again.



I believe this is a red fox who was very smart and stayed in the shade on this unbelievably hot and humid day. The valley gets crazy-hot and a lot of the animals were chilling and taking it easy.



We searched high and love for the moose, who has in the past proven to be an elusive creature to my friends who have visited before. We had given up and were making our way back when we saw someone taking a photograph of something on the other side of the field. Sure enough, this beauty was resting in the grass and was larger than life. Definitely the highlight of the trip for all of us.



The raccoons were one of the only creatures being very active, wrestling with each other so much and so fast I could barely get a photograph of them!



This beaver was the smartest creature of them all, swimming around cool water and munching on leaves and bark.



Even the barred owls were sleepy from the heat! I caught this one in mid-yawn, amazing!



I believe this is the red tailed hawk who gave that piercing screech that I remember so well from the show Northern Exposure and this time I heard it in real life!

Overall I really enjoyed my day at the park even though I melted away quite quickly in that valley heat. I love that this is not a zoo, it is a rehabilitation centre for animals. The ultimate goal is to set them free, which is a beautiful thing.



Another beautiful thing is Diary Queen! We quickly had burgers for dinner and then moved on quickly to a cool dessert. With my burger I drank what used to be called a Mr. Misty, I loved them when I was growing up, it is like a grape slushy. Now they are called "Arctic Rush" which I gather is supposed to sound much cooler. For dessert my friend Mike recommended the chocolate milkshakes. I am very picky about milkshakes but as soon as I lifted it and felt that it was very heavy and dense, not light, airy and empty, I had a good feeling. It tasted fantastic! It was as though you made a milkshake using Wendy's Mr. Frosty. Delicious!

We did not get out and do a lot of the touristy things I wanted to do on our holiday but this was a big one that meant a lot to me. To be out in the woods with the animals was wonderful. I love adventures and this is one of the things I really wanted to do while I was living in Nova Scotia. I can now check it off my list!