This is my second painting of the Jacques Cartier River based on the early spring trip I took to the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier. The combination of golden bark of the Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) with the dark greens of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) and Red Spruce (Picea rubens) was irresistible. The low contrast lighting gave the colors a softness that is not present in direct sunlight.

This phase in a tree’s life lasts no more than a few days each year. Despite the weather - cold, wet and overcast - I was fortunate to be there at that time. Perhaps if I had called the ranger station before booking my flight I would have missed this exceptional period. Besides, my spouse, Joyce, was born and raised in Québec City and she loved being back home.

The Jacques Cartier river flows through the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier in Québec, Canada. I have been to this park before, at roughly the same time, early in May, but at that time the trees were already bursting with new leaves. This time the winter held on longer than usual. Most of the trails were “fermé” (closed).