North Bay features a long list of natural communities including various forest and wetland types (see table below) and certainly is more diverse than its name implies.  Such is the case sometimes with SNA names.  At times a site may be named X Lake and it really is just the lake.  Other times it is much more.  Access is available from numerous points depending on how adventurous you want to get.  Supposedly, there is a parking area on Winding Lane, but I didn’t see when I tried that approach years ago.  There is ample parking at a boat launch near the disjunct and small eastern-most parcel.  Otherwise, consult a map  depending on which portion you want to see.

There are SNA’s that I would like to go back to and then there are SNA’s that I feel that I have to go back to.  This is one of the latter.  My brother and I ambled around the forest north and west of Winding Road for quite a bit.  The trail eventually petered out and nary a view of water was to be had.  For views of the water, the easiest way is to stop at the boat launch.  In the forest, we found ample amounts of fringed milkwort and American starflower amidst the conifers and the swampy environs.  Occasional ephemeral ponds and spring runs crossed the trail, necessitating a few hops across in spots.  On the bay, a variety of gulls provided entertainment including a Bonaparte’s gull which was a life species for me at the time.  I really, really would like to return to this site and explore the interior of the site in great depth.  I can’t wait!

North Bay

Fringed Milkwort

North Bay

American Starflower

Ring-billed Gulls

Wet Forest

Forest

Wet Forest

Forest

Bonaparte’s Gull

More of my photos (and full-res) from North Bay can be viewed here.

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