Butterflies and Golf in Deer Lake, Newfoundland

by Keith and Heather Nicol

        We recently decided to travel to Deer Lake and  check out some of the new additions to the Newfoundland Insectarium and Humber River Golf Club.  We were impressed by the large new extension to the butterfly garden area of the insectarium and had a chance to talk to owner Lloyd Hollett. Lloyd told us he brings in over 500 plus butterflies a week and “as you can see they certainly are flourishing in this new enlarged butterfly garden.  Butterflies are our big attraction but be sure to see the insectarium and the bee display upstairs. Also I know you folks like to walk so have a look at our new hiking trails”. The butterfly garden is a photographer’s dream and almost all visitors had some sort of still or video camera. But butterflies are not always easy to photograph since they seemed to flit into the air just when you are about to take their picture. Lloyd told us that there are only 2 insectariums in Canada, this one and another in Montreal! We fully recommend a visit since it has much to offer and we saw people of all ages enjoying the displays. They are open from mid May to mid October. For more information contact: http://www.nfinsectarium.com/

Bring your camera to the Newfoundland  Insectarium

    

        After a quick lunch it was off to Humber River Golf Club which is located next to the Deer Lake airport just off the Trans Canada Highway. We were very impressed with how well the course was holding up given the very dry conditions so far this summer. The fairways were great and the greens were forgiving and just the right speed. The Humber River Golf Club is a perfect course for walkers since it is level and not too long. But on July 5 when we played it was sunny and 27 C (the humidex was 32 C!) so we used a cart to stay abit cooler. This course is also good for the average golfer since many of its par 4’s are relatively short and there are few water hazards or sand traps to deal with. But you still need to hit your ball straight since the fairways in some cases are quite narrow and balls hit into the woods are likely to stay there. The course partially borders on the Humber River and the recent removal of some vegetation on hole 3 and 4 to give better views of the river is a nice addition. For more information and to book a tee time phone: 709-635-5955. 

Putting on the 4th green with the clubhouse in the background