Article and photos by Hubert Cormier

www.hubertcormierphotography.com

April 2024

With the arrival of spring, Kouchibouguac National Park has lots to offer for outdoor photography. Situated on the Acadian Coastal Drive in New Brunswick's central eastern shore, this park offers opportunities for wildlife, flora, landscape, seascape, and astrophotography.

The Kouchibouguac National Park started as a reserve created in 1969 to protect an area representative of the Maritime Plain natural region. The official establishment of the park occurred in 1979. This 238-square-kilometer protected area includes a dynamic coastline composed of sandy barrier islands, estuaries, lagoons, tidal rivers, salt marshes, forests, bogs, freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers.

There are more than 15 protected species in the park, several of which are the focus of conservation and recovery measures, such as the Piping plover, the Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, the Wood turtle, and certain species of bats. The park was also designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2009, promoting the protection of nocturnal habitats and encouraging their public enjoyment and awareness.

You will need a daily or seasonal pass to access the park if you intend to use any of the facilities or trails. However, Hwy 117 traverses the park from Saint-Louis to Pointe-Sapin, and no passes are required to use this highway. Camping is available within the park but you need to reserve well in advance. Cottages, hotels, and motels are available within a reasonable distance. A grocery store and pharmacy are located in nearby Saint Louis.

This Park has an extensive trail network for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Hiking trails go from easy, to moderate to difficult. This difficulty level will vary depending on the season and conditions. Spring and late fall can be challenging on some trails due to ice and mud. Some trails have been closed for a while for various reasons, so it's good to check availability on the park’s website. If you are into paddling sports, there are excellent spots to launch your canoe or kayak on rivers.

From an outdoor photographer's standpoint, Kouchibouguac has lots to offer. I mainly visit the park for wildlife in spring, summer, and fall. This has given me good opportunities to see Bears, Deer, Moose, Beavers, Porcupines, Foxes, Ground Hogs, Hares, Eagles, Blue Herons, Piping Plovers, Hawks, Canada Geese, Seals, River Otters as well as a number of songbirds. I usually bring my 180-600mm lens on a monopod when hiking in the park. This allows me long reach to get more frame-filling captures while not interfering with wildlife.

For wildlife photography, I would recommend visiting the park during shoulder seasons such as early spring and fall. During the busy summer season, the high level of activity drives the wildlife out of the more common areas and reduces your chances of seeing them unless you are willing to hike or paddle to those more remote locations.

There are also a few precautions to take when hiking in the park. The main one is to be aware of bear activity and prepare for it. Carry a whistle and bear spray in the event an encounter goes sour. Most bears will be weary and not approach you, but there are a few bears, especially in the areas close to campgrounds and the more accessible trails and roads, that have become habituated and will be looking for handouts. Respect their space and they will generally leave you alone, but be prepared.

The other precautions for hiking are the basic ones such as water and food, a basic first aid kit, dressing appropriately, traveling with a partner, and filing a travel plan (destination and times) with someone as cell reception does not exist in all areas of the park. The park is mostly secure and I have never felt threatened by others, but be conscious of locking doors and not leaving things in plain sight when parking at trailheads. Only bring the camera gear you intend to carry with you, do not leave it in the car. Almost forgot, from late spring to early fall, the mosquitoes and deer flies will eat you alive if you don't protect yourself.

If you elect to use your vehicle as a blind, ensure that you park well to the side of the road and continually scan for vehicles coming from the front and back. Especially on Hwy 117 where there are lots of blind curves and fast commercial traffic with, unfortunately, no pull-off areas.

For the other genres of photography, I would recommend that all seasons would be conducive for landscape and seascape. Spring through fall for flora and late fall to spring for Astro due to clearer skies. Having said this, Kouchibouguac National Park can surprise you year-round with opportunities in all genres.

Practice ethical nature photography and enjoy!