Gowganda Views

Redpoll

2012-02-19T15:03:00.000-05:00

I caught this Redpoll snoozing by the feeder in the warm sun, I should have joined him.

Pine cone and seed macros

2012-02-16T15:31:00.002-05:00

I've been practicing with the new lens again. Can't wait for the snow to disappear.

Winter Logging

2012-02-13T20:46:00.000-05:00

Logging is at work all year round, right now they are just finishing up on the Everett Lake Rd. The workers have been at it since the fall, right now they are by Babs Lake. Jack Pine, Spruce, Poplar and Birch are the main species Pine and Spruce for saw logs and Poplar and Birch for chip board. All species are transported by trucks to different mills. Elk Lake has a mill for lumber and Englehart has the chip board mill. The chip board mill takes in 100 truck loads a day from all over the area to keep it working. Here are a couple of pics near the latest cut nearby.

More Pics from yesterday

2012-02-10T15:36:00.001-05:00

Pictures from Everett Lake and road up to tower A bit of open water at Miller Creek, looks as though a otter went for a swim. The chickadee is from the tower road.

Tonights sunset

2012-02-09T21:12:00.002-05:00

Words not necessary

Sunny day sundown

2012-02-08T21:06:00.002-05:00

Another nice day with great sundown. Lots of snowmobile trails on the lake now there is lots of snow.

Balsam fir winter buds

2012-02-03T22:39:00.002-05:00

Out trying out the macro lens again.

Duncan Lake

2012-02-02T21:30:00.000-05:00

Great day today warm almost felt like spring. Our groundhogs couldn't come up through the snow to see his shadow or not. We always have six more weeks of winter anyway. A couple of pics from Duncan Lake the other day. One I may have gone a little overboard with.

Frost on the window

2012-01-30T20:44:00.001-05:00

Testing out a new macro lens on the frosty windows in the porch this AM. I'm looking forward to some close ups of flowers this summer.

More snow

2012-01-29T12:48:00.001-05:00

Yesterday it dumped about 15cm and I went out and cleaned up with the snowblower by the time I had finished there was another 2.5 cm by this AM there was another 10+cm. Out with the snoblo again nice, bright sunny morning and took these pics to show there is enough. Some are saying that we have too much now. Can't please everyone.

2012-01-21T20:50:00.001-05:00

Friday was the coldest morning of the whole winter so far, my thermometer was hanging around -30C fortunately this AM was a lot better. Around 9:00 AM the sun was out and it just got warmer, good time for some pics. Up the Everett Lake road to a new cut by Fiset around the west end of Babs Lake.

The first picture is one of the two rock cuts at the top of the hill into Gowganda I call them the gates of Gowganda. The second is a shot of the mining exploration camp up the Everett Rd.

The last is a scan of a picture I took in the Gowganda Museum a couple of years after we bought the house in 1986 and I have carried it in my wallet ever since, I thought you might enjoy it if you have been to Gowganda.

Snow building up

2012-01-15T16:24:00.003-05:00

A couple of days ago we had a great overnight storm that dropped close to 7-8 inches. It is hard to know exactly as it was drifting and blowing everywhere. The next two days have been sunny and very cold, tomorrow it is warming again. This mornings temps were around -23C.

2012-01-11T22:32:00.003-05:00

Another dull foggy day, good for going to town, didn't look much better when I got back either.

West on Hwy 560

2012-01-10T20:54:00.001-05:00

Out to take some pics with all the new snow. We have well over a foot of snow now, had to snoblo again this AM. More snow the the next couple of days in the forecast. The lakes have enough ice but the slush is very bad. There are some air holes to look out for too. Hope we have some sunshine soon.

Winter arrives

2012-01-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Finally there is enough snow and ice, there are snowmobiles on the lake and one ice hut. The snow plows seem to have magically disappeared as the snow gets deeper. I was told that the routes had been changed because their was more need for them around the mine at Matachewan. The road is now split at Long Point Lake. One snowplow comes from Shingtree to Long Point and the one from Elk lake turns back at Long point. The road to Elk Lake is half plowed most of the time until they finally get around to it. It used to be one snowplow from Elk Lake to Gowganda and back, which is better for the school bus. What is wrong with these peoples minds. The safety of the kids on the school bus should come first.

The second pic is from the high hill looking back towards the west as the sun was coming up.

Bright sunny and cold

2012-01-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

Good crisp morning today with temps around -27C. I had put up one feeder before I left Gowganda and there were only a couple of Chickadees hanging around. Yesterday I filled up the big feeder and ended up with Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks like the one in this pic.

I've had the other picture hanging around on my desktop for some time, I took a pic a couple or more years ago of the same place (along highway 65 nr Hooper's hill), but this time the roof is starting to struggle a bit. Now I can remove it from my desktop.

Happy New Year to All

2012-01-02T15:35:00.002-05:00

Well another new year has started, I just got back from another tour of the south, this time Sudbury, Lindsay and Huntsville and back home about 1400km. A great time visiting family. Great to see everyone but it's sure nice to get back home.
The road into Gowganda was covered with snow coming in yesterday and this morning I had a hard time opening the door to get out, the wind and snow had laid a big drift right at the door. Several large drifts in the driveway got the snowblower treatment. There is probably enough to get the snowmobiles out now but I haven't seen any all day.

Today's pic is from Lindsay area at the Ken Reid Conservation area.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

Have a safe and Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012

This mornings pics

2011-12-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

A couple of pics of town on my way back from walking this AM. One of the lake covered in snow and ice and the other looking down past the store as George is coming up the road to start plowing. Gowganda will have a white Christmas where many in Southern Ontario will be looking at grass.

Damp and misty

2011-12-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

Mostly damp, misty and grey skies while going out for a couple of pics near Leroy Lake. They loggers have fixed up the road going into Leroy lake so they could get at timber on the north side of the lake. A small bridge was put in over the creek where it flows towards Lost Lake. These are pics from the bridge looking east.

Gowganda design

2011-12-13T12:38:00.001-05:00

Something a little different on this damp afternoon. Maybe a new Gowganda logo or something.

Crazy weather

2011-12-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

We have had many ups and downs with the weather this month, just about everything under the sun, today it is around 2C and misting, snow is disappearing again. Not your typical December at all. Haven't been out taking many pics but played with the old truck in the Miller Lake cut with the snow. Kind of a dark picture with the truck highlighted.

The ice returns

2011-12-06T21:12:00.001-05:00

After a wet warm weekend most of the ice broke up and melted. Early this morning under clear cold skies the lake froze again. Tonight is going to be another cold one. The frost build up around the edge of the clear ice looked as though there were feathers on it.

ICE

2011-12-02T20:03:00.001-05:00

With the cool temps last night it made a very thin ice sheet, with some open water steaming in the sunlight..

Off to town today

2011-12-01T21:57:00.001-05:00

On the way back a couple of fall pictures, crop land has all been plowed for the fall and cattle are roaming fields before the snow and cold. In the summer the crops go on for kilometers on which was once an ancient seabed. Click on the top picture for a panorama.

Lake still open

2011-11-29T10:15:00.001-05:00

The main body of the lake still has no ice and the weather is holding up. Up to Edith Lake yesterday for a few pics. Here are some ice rings.

You can run but you can't hide

2011-11-27T15:11:00.001-05:00

Here is a Snowshoe hare from today, he looks a might damp too.

Shadows

2011-11-27T08:56:00.001-05:00

After yesterdays ice storm and today's drizzle it's about time for some sunshine.

A bit of ice on the lake

2011-11-22T15:26:00.001-05:00

Yesterday AM the north arm of Gowganda Lake had a skim of ice from side to side, this AM the ice had retreated. The mist was rising from the lake early in the AM. The cold air and the warm lake mixing. Pretty soon it will all be white.

Parry Sound pics

2011-11-20T12:09:00.001-05:00

Just a few from Parry Sound while deer hunting

Back from another trip

2011-11-19T20:36:00.001-05:00

This time some deer hunting in the Parry Sound area, deer were scarce this year but wolf sign was everywhere. Had a good time but no game was hurt. After that it was a trip to Toronto, to a Photoshop Seminar right down in the heart of the city. Haven't been down there for many years much less being on a subway. Survived and had a great time. Thanks to Lauch and Ruth in Toronto and my friends the Pecks in Sequin Township. Just a few pics of downtown which has grown so much since I was a kid down there.

Firewood finally stacked

2011-11-07T16:34:00.000-05:00

Finally got the firewood stacked a couple of days ago, glad to see the end of that. The rows are 24 feet long, 2 feet wide and just under 5 feet high. I figure there are about 6 bush cords of wood stacked. Lots of wood for a couple of years or more. Just have to cover it now to keep it dry.

Another Yukon favorite

2011-11-06T08:35:00.002-05:00

This pic with the sun shining on the poplars on the banks of the Ogilvie River, with the mountains for a backdrop is one of my favorites.

ATV trip on Sunday afternoon

2011-11-02T17:10:00.004-04:00

Paul and I were in a couple of new cuts on Sunday afternoon, one up the east side of the Everett Lake Rd just north of the highway and another on the Miller Lake Rd. Lots of big trees cut some over 100 years old by the the rings counted. That's around when the mining for silver started back in 1909.
Another find at Miller Lake is this old Ford truck right in the middle of the cut, notice the bullet holes in the window right where the driver would sit. I hope that's not how it got there.

Halloween Fun

2011-10-30T10:53:00.002-04:00

Have fun

Catching up on some wood work

2011-10-25T22:18:00.003-04:00

Still working to get the wood split and piled. May take a few more days if the weather doesn't cooperate. This will be firewood for two years from now. Added a couple of filters on this pic to make it a little more interesting.

Yukon pic

2011-10-24T22:08:00.003-04:00

Along the Dempster Highway in the Yukon, this is all permafrost.

More wet weather on the way

2011-10-23T20:38:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago we had great weather some days up to 20C+ days, sunny the best of fall weather. Last week cool wet with several mm. of rain, one day it never stopped there must have been at least 30mm that day even some large wet snowflakes. Now it will rain again tomorrow. The leaves are just about finished on the poplars now, the ground cover hasn't had enough frost yet to drop but its getting there. Here is a final picture of fall leaves taken at Leroy Lake with the camp boat still in the water.

Finally it has stopped raining

2011-10-18T21:16:00.002-04:00

Lots of rain the last few days, nice to see a great sunset. Red skies at night sailors delight. Maybe.

Fall in the bog

2011-10-16T08:22:00.002-04:00

Another pic from Leroy Lake.

Playing with leaves

2011-10-13T11:02:00.003-04:00

Fall leaves

Looking for Cranberries

2011-10-12T09:03:00.003-04:00

Out to Leroy Lake for a paddle into a bog at the north end of the lake. I had been there earlier this summer and found some unripe cranberries. This being the Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) the berries are small, red and really don't have much of a taste. I have heard that a good frost may improve that.

The things you see bird hunting

2011-10-11T08:22:00.003-04:00

Out near Everett Lake grouse hunting when all of a sudden a water bomber goes over my head no more than 3 or 4 hundred feet. I learned later that the fire was near Highbluff Lake north of Longpoint Lake. I headed down to the shore of Everett Lake to watch him fill up and take off just about every 10 minutes. Here's a couple of pics. the plane is a Canadair CL-415 made by Bombardier it can scoop up 6,130 L. of water in 12 seconds.
Yesterday I drove up near Highbluff lake and didn't see any smoke.

Early morning pics

2011-10-09T09:52:00.001-04:00

Here are a couple pics taken in the early morning of the lake. The top is a panorama so click and enlarge it.

Last grass cutting of the year

2011-10-06T20:46:00.003-04:00

The day has finally come to stop looking after the grass, as I was cutting I looked up and saw this flower still in bloom. I drove around it and decided to take a picture of it later. By the time I got finished I forgot where the flower was and convinced myself that I had finally run it over with the mower. Today I'm going down to the shed and here I find the plant all in one piece and unscathed. Its only a Daisy Fleabane but it was the only and maybe last flower that I would see in bloom this year so here it is.

Yesterdays sundown

2011-10-05T21:28:00.002-04:00

Had to get out last night and get this pic with the reflection.

Weather great today

2011-10-02T20:16:00.003-04:00

The forecast is for a week of fairly good weather leading up to Thanksgiving. A couple of pics from this AM.

First bit of snow

2011-10-01T20:31:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the temperature started to go down, by morning it was just above O C. Large wet flakes were falling early this morning but did not last too long. A taste of things to come.

Yes, it really is this colour

2011-09-25T22:52:00.001-04:00

Red maple in full colour.

More colours

2011-09-24T14:43:00.003-04:00

Everyday I go out in the morning the colours are getting stronger. The red maples have outdone themselves and the trees along the Montreal RIver the same

Summer has gone so fast

2011-09-23T22:34:00.003-04:00

Misty fall morning on Gowganda Lake, combined with a load of firewood to cut and split.

Finally caught up to getting home

2011-09-20T15:26:00.003-04:00

Today sunny and warm, I'm surprised the trees haven't shown more colour yet but even down near Huntsville the colours have hardly broken through. The pic is from just west of town with the poplars still primarly green.
On the other hand a pic from the Yukon at the Ogilvie river valley and the Ogilvie Mountains, this was our view out the window of the camper as the sun was going down about 10:00pm.

Guess where this is

2011-09-14T19:47:00.001-04:00

Here is a pic from a few days ago, its not Gowganda

Asters

2011-09-02T13:10:00.002-04:00

ATVing around Bouche cut the other day and found this aster along the way. I believe it may be a Purple stemmed aster.

Bristly Sarsaparilla

2011-08-29T17:01:00.004-04:00

Here are the berries of the Bristly Sarsaparilla (Aralia hispida), a pic of the whole plant and where it gets the bristly from. The roots were known to be used as a medicine. Found in cut overs and burnt areas.

Mountain Ash

2011-08-27T22:24:00.003-04:00

Berries are ripening on the Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana) , they will soon be all orange.

Fall colours starting

2011-08-25T21:37:00.002-04:00

End of August and the fall colours are starting all ready. This was taken near the Notch Dam at Duncan lake .

Wintergreen

2011-08-25T10:29:00.004-04:00

A shot a few days ago of Wintergreen (Gaulthereia procumbens) with the berry just breaking out of its capsule the left.

Cambell and Haliday Lk. Trip

2011-08-21T16:52:00.004-04:00

The weather yesterday looked as if we would get some rain but it held off all day. Left from Gowganda by truck and trailer to Hydro Creek where we unloaded and started the trip. This trail goes up the power line which runs from Otter Rapids on the Abitibi River south to Southern Ontario. We only did a portion to Haliday Lake and then over to Campbell Lake and back to Hydro Creek overall about 88km. Thanks to Mary Bullock and Faye Barnstaple for the goodies on the ride.

Cranberries at Leroy Lake

2011-08-15T20:45:00.004-04:00

Back to the bog at Leroy lake, while walking across the floating vegetation came upon lots of Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos). Couldn't find to many that were ripe but will check back later. Not a lot of taste to the ones I tried.

A side note-- (Common Cranberry or Northern Cranberry) is widespread throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere. It has small 5–10 mm leaves. The flowers are dark pink, with a purple central spike, produced on finely hairy stems. The fruit is a small pale pink berry, with a refreshing sharp acidic flavour

Paddling on Leroy Lake

2011-08-14T20:45:00.003-04:00

Out taking some pics in the bog at the north side of Leroy Lake. One of a white water lily in its prime.

Another look at Bunchberry

2011-08-11T22:33:00.001-04:00

A new spin on Bunchberry.

LeRoy Lake Rd

2011-08-10T21:33:00.003-04:00

Haven't been up this way for a long time, lots of the old trails have disappeared after you cross the creek. The trail that goes north turns east and follows up the west side of Lost Lake. On the way back I found a Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) these were old fashioned garden flowers that are now a common weeds. This one was covered with blooms and about 1 m. high. The leaves when crushed are very aromatic.

Everett Lake Rd.

2011-08-08T21:56:00.002-04:00

Cool this AM out for a ride up the Everett Lake Rd east of town. Lots of Pin Cherries along the sides of the roads, bears have been pulling the trees down to get at them.

Blueberries

2011-08-06T21:35:00.004-04:00

Two days of hot, hot sun picking blueberries. Berries were small in sunny areas and a little bigger under some shade. Not like the crop of last year where you could pick a 4 litre ice cream container in 40 minutes. The same container this year took an hour and a half. A pic of processing some berries in the house and a shot of Davidson Lake.

Dogbane

2011-08-03T23:46:00.001-04:00

A common weed along the side of the road with interesting white with pink bells. You can almost hear them ringing.

Fireweed

2011-08-01T20:06:00.004-04:00

The edges of the main highway and bush roads are putting on a show of Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) these days, and the blueberries are ready for picking. What more could you ask for.

Purple loosestrife

2011-07-30T20:59:00.002-04:00

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) an aggressive evading species. I haven't seen this around the Gowganda area until today, in the ditch near Hedlund Marsh. Only a few plants but it is enough to get them started. Check the link to learn more.

Here is another HDR pic

2011-07-29T22:45:00.002-04:00

Here is the another HDR picture. This one from the same area. Will be getting out tomorrow to do some photography, I was heading out this AM but the ankle high grass tripped me on to the lawn tractor.

Long time no post

2011-07-28T21:59:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks looking after grandsons and then heading for Sudbury to help my son move to another house. Never even had a camera nearby for several days. Today it was time to get posting again. Out near Hedlund marsh again and down the Mann Ridge Rd. Today a view of the marsh on the north side of the highway. This again is a HDR photo, six photos with different exposures put together.

Fishing at Elkhorn

2011-07-12T23:31:00.003-04:00

Took the grandsons into Elkhorn Lake to have some fun catching Smallmouth Bass. Didn't take long to catch a pile. None big enough to bring in. This is the shorelunch spot to be for the view of the lake. Even had a desert of blueberries.

Garden pics

2011-07-10T23:07:00.005-04:00

A poppy from a couple of weeks ago from Marg's garden. Today marks 4 years from Marg's passing, the boys and I visited the cemetery today to remember. She is missed by all.

My first cover page

2011-07-06T13:24:00.002-04:00

One of the local papers were looking for pictures for the new Temiskaming area tourist guide, I sent in this picture the last day before the deadline. I found out when my brother in law Brian went in to buy gas in New Liskeard and on the counter he noticed his canoe in the pic from one of our canoe trips. I was selected for the cover page what a surprise.

Blue Flag

2011-07-02T00:23:00.002-04:00

Right now all the Blue Flags are blooming, here's one that I photographed the other day while ATVing.

Last day of June all ready

2011-06-30T10:05:00.003-04:00

Wow where did June go but at least its going out on a great crisp cool day. Low humidity and clear skies what more can you ask for.
Couple of pics for the end of the month another HDR image (several images stacked on one another to see all the hilites and shadows). This one shows some great sky. The other pic is Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) in bloom right now.

Daisies starting to bloom

2011-06-27T22:18:00.002-04:00

Just a pic of a few daisies.

Twinflower on Bouche Rd.

2011-06-25T23:18:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I went up the Bouche Rd to see if the water had gone down across the road, with all the rain it is even higher. On my way back I spotted a mossy rock covered with Twinflowers (Linnaea borealis) at this point it was pouring rain I couldn't get out of the truck for a pic. I put a larger lens on and took them thru the window and to come back today for some better shots. Today the flowers looked drowned out but I did find some with a little colour left in.

Blueberry update

2011-06-24T22:09:00.003-04:00

Berries are starting to grow, looks as though it may be a good year again. Hopefully the rain will let up one of these days so they get some sun. I would guess the third week in July there may be some getting ripe.
Another plant the Pale Corydalis (Corydalis sempervirens) mostly on rocky or dry ground. These pics were taken south of Hedlund Marsh which is now flooded again, the beavers must have got to work.

Pine pollen

2011-06-20T21:27:00.004-04:00

The pine trees have been pollinating everything, the lake, the ground even yourself if you get close enough to brush the branches. Great yellow mats were floating on the lake last week. This flower I gave a shake to show you how much comes out of just one. I feel sorry for those with allergies.
Another flower in bloom right now Fringed Polygala or Gaywings (Polygala paucifolia)

Edith Lake

2011-06-15T21:22:00.003-04:00

Edith Lake mosquito heaven this AM. Forgot bug jacket and spray. I won't go in to details. Here are some very, very quick shots of Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and Starflower (Trientalis borealis).

Moccasin Flowers

2011-06-14T21:13:00.005-04:00

Down the Spear Lake Rd. to see if the old bridge was still there. We have had so much rain that it could have been washed away but sure enough it was intact. Beaver have built a dam right underneath it and the water is pouring over it from the run off. It looks rickety but useable. The best area is below the bridge near Spear Lake. The trail goes up a very high esker and south of that is a large sand plain. The esker is covered with Jack Pine with understory of Labrador Tea, Laurel, sphagnum and Lichens. Small plants Canada Mayflower, Clintonia, Bunchberry and Moccasin Flower or Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). I have never seen so many Moccasin flowers in bloom in one place, there were thousands of them. An interesting note about the Moccasin flower is it takes 10 years from germination to the flowering stage.

Pics from last weekend

2011-06-09T21:50:00.007-04:00

A couple of pics from last weekend when Jeremy and the boys were up. We took a ride up the Bouche Rd and found a cluster of 8 Goldeneye chicks on a small pond in the cut over. I suspect we cut them off from going into Firth Lake. After awhile the hen called them away and we moved on to let them get on with their trip.
On the way back to Gowganda we spotted this fox on the side of the road heading back to the den with its kill. It looks like a vole he is bringing home.

Checking duck box at Mosher Lake

2011-06-06T16:55:00.006-04:00

Mosher Lake is just south of the bottom end of Duncan Lake. On the island is a duck box with no apparent takers yet.
While there I visited an open mine addit on the east side of the lake. Ed Barnstaple pointed me in the right direction. More on that in another post. At the addit a Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) growing from a rock ledge above the water and a closeup of one of the flowers.

Checking duck box in Diabase Lake

2011-06-03T16:56:00.003-04:00

Hiked in through the bush to get a look at this one. I thought this one would be a winner but not this time. I will check it again though.
On the way back some Marsh Marigolds along the shore, and a close up of the same.

Checking duck nesting boxes on Gowganda Lake

2011-06-02T21:26:00.003-04:00

Ed and Faye Barnstaple installed duck nesting boxes on Gowganda Lake while the ice was still in. The other day Ed asked if I would like to go out in the boat and check the 7 boxes on Gowganda Lake to see if nesting was starting. The first few didn't look as if there were any takers, finally one looked promising with a pair of Wood Ducks took flight right out from under a nestbox. Looking closely at the entrance a downy feather was sitting in the entrance (red circle). It seems as though there might be some action on one of the seven new boxes on Gowganda Lake. A follow up will be needed to check later from a safe distance.
The falls at the south end of Gowganda Lake is still flowing quite well from the run off from Hangingstone Lake drainage area to the south.

Single lake

2011-05-31T08:59:00.003-04:00

Violets from Single Lake

Leatherleaf in Bloom

2011-05-28T15:25:00.002-04:00

Leatherleaf in bloom compare with May 5 picture.

Blueberrys

2011-05-26T22:53:00.003-04:00

Lots of blooms on the blueberries, I hope the frost doesn't get them. Great crop last year, best I'd seen.

Spring is starting to shape up

2011-05-25T22:14:00.004-04:00

Finally spring is starting to happen, leaves are opening, pollen is flowing out of the balsam firs, and spring flowers are appearing. This AM a light frost and -2C. Out to Helund Marsh and Single Lake to take some pics. The first a cone on the moss and moss with fruiting bodies.
This is the first post I have done using the Firefox browser. I have been having so much trouble posting with IE 9 I couldn't stand it any longer. I hope this post works.

New forestry machine in the bush

2011-05-21T22:15:00.003-04:00

It may not be new but the first time I have seen them. The harvesters and skidders are working on the Bouche Rd about 4km north of the highway cutting west towards Serpentine Lake. These pictures are of the skidder loader that is picking up the logs from the harvester. Fewer roads are needed as these load and carry to existing roads at this cut.

Back from trip to Huntsville, Parry Sound area

2011-05-20T23:10:00.009-04:00

Just in time to see the Trilliums blooming east of Sprucedale. Ontario's provincial flower.

An other pic from yesterday

2011-05-15T18:41:00.004-04:00

At the Edith Lake rapids the water is flowing very quickly, all the rocks are under water around the boat launch. I walked up the river north towards Burke Lake a short distance to take this picture. Great to put the canoe in Burke and shoot the river.

Couple more HDR pics

2011-05-14T22:18:00.004-04:00

Up the Edith Lake Rd today, lots of water coming down the river. Water levels in Edith very high. Went down the trail towards Obushkong Lake where I took some pictures last fall. Great area with lots of forest cover and ground cover all mosses Labrador tea, and Snowberry.

Something new

2011-05-13T13:21:00.003-04:00

Blogger had some problems and they lost the last post on me. I'm going to try and recreate it. It deals with HDR photos. This is when you take three pictures using a tripod of the same thing with different shutter speeds. One is a normal picture, the second is shot with a slower shutter speed to show whats in the shadows and the last on a higher shutter speed to develop for the hilites. Combining the three together to get a dynamic range from the shadows to hilites all exposed correctly. You will notice under the rock you can see most of whats underneath.
I have also lost all the comments on this blog too.

Out ATVing again

2011-05-10T21:31:00.005-04:00

Up the Bouche Rd and across the trail north of Firth Lake, south down the Holwood Rd. east on highway 560 to Elkhorn Rd and south as far as the road into Margueratt lake and into the cut to the east. The bridge has been taken out where Margueratt Lake flows into Elkhorn. Lots of good birch wood slash going to waste again. Finally back up to the highway and home. Good trip even better weather. The pictures are from Firth Creek north of Firth Lake

It's official Ice Out May 8, 2011

2011-05-09T21:25:00.004-04:00

Weather has changed a lot and fast, dandelions coming up, grass greening, mosquitoes and lots of birds have returned. The ice was declared gone yesterday from the North Arm the official sign of ice out.

Fishermen are out on the lake

2011-05-04T22:13:00.006-04:00

Yes, fishing is going on in between the ice flows, today most of the lake south of the town has open water the bays still have ice and the North Arm is all ice. Another couple of warm days and some wind will make a big difference.
Up the Bouche Rd. to visit a swamp before the bugs get to bad. Finally found something that is starting to bud. Around most of the swamps and bogs Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) grows like a stunted shrub and is very common. These will soon be bell-shaped white flowers hanging down in a row.

Clip of John Deere tree harvester

2011-05-04T14:30:00.011-04:00

This is a clip of a tree harvester that does it all cuts the tree down, dlimbs it and cuts to size all with one machine and that is the end that does it all

Tonights ice

2011-05-03T20:46:00.003-04:00

Just back from a couple of pics of tonights ice. And one from yesterday of the crack across the bay.

ATV trip on Sunday

2011-05-02T20:29:00.005-04:00

Paul and I headed out on our first trip Sunday afternoon down winter cutting road to Stumpy Lake. The very first part of the trip is on the old existing road and from there its just carved out of the landscape. Rocky high areas and swampy low areas with rocks and trees holding the road up in the really wet spots. In some spots we made it through because the ground was still frozen. We made it down to the end but the trail ends before the lake we walked the rest of the way in to a small bay at the north end of Stumpy. The first pic is part of the trail through two outcrops and the other a sensitive part of the boreal forest.