Photo: Canadian Shield Autumn Riviere Jacques Cartier Quebec

The dramatic colours of the leaves on the trees and the bushes lining the banks of the Riviere Jacques-Cartier show that autumn has come to the Parc national de la Jacques Cartier in Quebec; a National Park set deep in the Canadian Shield territory.

The Riviere Jacques-Cartier is currently under review for Canadian Heritage River status, meaning it would be protected even further by the Canadian Government as an example of the river heritage of Canada. It flows through the Laurentian Mountains, starting at Jacques-Cartier Lake, and ending 161 km later at the St Lawrence River. Even though this is a protected river already, about 2,500 people currently live on the shores of this river, mostly close to the mouth. There is of course a risk of pollution and contamination then, as there is with any natural landscape that is so closely intertwined with human habitation, hence why there might be a need to protect it further. The park is also set into the magnificent Canadian Shield - an area which covers the majority of the Province of Quebec on the northern shores of the St Lawrence River.

Along the river bank can typically be seen Yellow Birch and Sugar Maple trees, such as can be seen in the photograph here, and many species of wildlife also make their home here; as access to fresh water is important to survival. The American Black Bear, the Bobcat, the Racoon, the River Otter, the Gray Wolf, the Moose, and the White-tailed Deer, are just a few of the many diverse and wonderful species that find food and shelter here.

The river and the park are both named for French explorer Jacques Cartier, who also found the mouth of the Ottawa River while looking for the Northwest Passage.

Riviere Jacques-Cartier, Jacques-Cartier River, during fall in Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, Quebec, Canada.