Canoe trip day 2

About 4 1/2km. south of last night's camp is the Indian Chute's Generating Station, the dam here holds back water of the Montreal River and its watershed. It's an old power station and unmanned. The portage around the dam is very steep, walking the packs very carefully down the well worn path. With the canoe we grabbed the ropes at each end and just slid it down the hill, had to be over 60 degree slope. Once down on the river the sun did it's work on us, the sides are high and there wasn't even a breeze.

A lot of paddling with all the meanders of the river made it a hard paddle unil we got to Elk Lake. When we arrived at Elk Lake the first stop was for cold pop and ice cream, then paddled over to the Makobe River into the tent and trailer park. Set up the tent cooked dinner, went back to the store for more pop and ice cream. After paddling over 28 km. in the heat it was time to head for the tent, and watch another great sundown.

Back from Canoe trip 2010

Took the truck with canoe and gear up to Matachewan for the trip down to Latchford about 124 km. Paul came with us and took the truck home (thanks Paul). Brian and I started paddling about 9:30, weather hot and not much current. Reached Fox Rapids shortly and had a good run through. Further on the water was too shallow for the next 3 rapids and had to line and haul over the rocks.

On the way we spotted a bear diving in and out of the water eating water plants as we got closer he caught our scent and headed for the shore. Finally after 19.5 km. and blazing sun we pulled into a campsite just before the first portage at Indian Chutes Generating Station. Set the tent had supper and around 7 went out for fish and caught bass and walleye. All this was followed by a great sunset.

ATV trip near Dinny Lake

Out a few days ago with Ed and Faye Barnstaple doing some exploring up the Everett Lake Rd. Went up to some claims that are being checked out for minerals and ended up a bit south east of Dinny Lake. Lots of digging going on and samples being taken. Found one rock that looked like it had asbestos in it.

Not many flowers left in bloom some pearly everlastings and and some asters, its beginning to look like fall is coming.

Gowganda's old bailey bridge

Have been looking for this pic for some time. This bailey bridge over the Montreal River on the west side of town was removed in 1998 (thanks for the info Paul). It was a one lane bridge that held up the trucks and cars quite often. The road all through town was upgraded in 1994.

Follow up to the New Gowganda Tower

Well this looks like the final stage in tower watching, Paul and I were up there this afternoon watching them take the first of the old tower down. We got here just as they were starting to take down the dish. For the next couple of hours the guy lines, torsion struts and the very top couple of tower sections. Work will resume tomorrow if the weather co-operates. One of the workers said it would take two days to finish the job.

Bits and Pieces

Looking back through some files and found a few extras, White Waterlily LeRoy Lake, Wintergreen Miller Lake and a new one Marsh Skullcap LeRoy Lake.

Leopard Frogs

Back down to Sunshine Lake which is south of Longpoint Lake about 8 km. down theBeauty Lake Road. There is a ATV- snowmobile trail that runs from Gowganda to Sunshine. This time I couldn't help noticing all the Leopard Frogs around the lake edge. The more you looked the more you found. The last time down I didn't notice any. A bit more information on the Leopard Frog in Ontario---

Threats & Trends
Threats (and their severity) to the northern leopard frog are variable across its range. In Ontario, the main threats are habitat loss and degradation, as well as predation and road mortality. Frog population density in areas adjacent to major roads is often smaller than in other habitats.
One study has shown that low aquatic pH levels increase the susceptibility of frogs to fatal bacterial infections, the severity of which is exacerbated by warmer water temperatures and higher frog population density (i.e., crowding). Overexploitation has also been reported as a threat to this species. Despite these threats, the northern leopard frog’s high mobility and use of a wide range of habitats are helping to prevent an overall species decline.

Protection
Federal Protection
The Northern Leopard Frog, Western Boreal/Prairie populations, is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). More information about SARA, including how it protects individual species, is available in the Species at Risk Act: A Guide.

Miller Lake

Made some time to get into Miller Lake on the ATV last week. Always surprising just how clear the water is in there with all the rock tailings about. Some of tailings are able to support some Spotted Knapweed, and in a moist area some Mountain Ash with berries.

Leroy Lake

A couple of weeks ago I paddled around Leroy Lake and found a couple of interesting plants I haven't seen for awhile. Paddling up through a small backwater I found some Bog Rosemary and Round Leafed Sundew a carnivorous plant.

The plant feeds on insects, which are attracted to its bright red colour and its glistening drops of mucilage, loaded with a sugary substance, that cover its leaves. It has evolved this carnivorous behaviour in response to its habitat, which is usually poor in nutrients or so acidic that nutrient availability is severely decreased. The plant uses enzymes to dissolve the insects - which become stuck to the glandular tentacles - and extract nitrates and other nutrients from their bodies. (from Wikipedia)

Around the lakes tour

An ATV trip leaving from Gowganda around Gowganda Lake, Stumpy Lake, Hangingstone Lake into Spear Lake and back up to Duncan Lake and home via highway 560. With stops at Sunshine Lake on the Beauty Lk. Rd. where the smartweed was in flower. Another stop at Rusty Lake Mine where we discovered old mine equipment, the old winch, water tower, air compressor, and a ball mill and cart. A great day trip about 100 km. with side trips.

Odds and Ends

Clintonia or Blue Bead grows in the cutovers along with the blueberries, if you a picking with childeren watch they don't pic the berries from this plant, they are poisonous.

Along the highway you will see the Bull Thistle in bloom, and several patches of Joe -Pye Weed.

Firth Creek north of Firth Lake

Not much water flow out of Firth Lake with the dryness this summer. A quiet stream with pictures at beaverdam and a small rapids. Near the rapids and in the shade some Arrowhead and Jewelweed.

Another pic from Davidson Lake area

Here's one I forgot from yesterday a Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia serotina).

ATV up to Davidson Lake

Can't belive this is my 401st post, just seems like yesterday. I'm sure I will be finding more pics and places to post for some time yet.

Short trip up the mine road, past Stella Lake and over to Davidson Lake on the North trail and to the south ending up on a hill overlooking the north end of Dinny Lake. The blueberries are at there best. The plants are just bent over with the weight of them and yes the ground is blue.

Also near the edge of Davidson Lake bunchberries are out.

ATV trip to Spear Lake

Down to find Spear Lake today with Mike and Sharon Carss my neighbours across the street. Great trip down the road to the bridge and then on to the best part of the trail which follows a ridge covered with Jack Pine. mosses, lichens and blueberries. The lobster mushrooms were just starting to appear out of the ground, this is about a month earlier than last year. I had picked quite a few of these last year and they are very good fried up in butter and some salt and pepper.

We found the trail to Spear Lake and headed west and arrived at a landing a couple of km. further in. Took some pics of the local inhabitant, a toad, had some lunch and headed home.

Rainy afternoon trip up Bouche Rd.

Up the Bouche Rd. west of town for some pics after the rain today at least it kept the dust down while driving. Noticed quite a few blueberries starting to appear in some spots.

Fireweed, Pearly Everlastings and lots of daisies.

Canoe trip to Burke Lake

Out with the boys fishing on Burke Lake in the canoe, after a couple of hours time to get out for a stretch and found some interesting plants. The Common Pipewort (Eriocaulon septangulare) the top pics and another new one the Water Lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna). No fish were harmed on this trip.

Diabase Lake

The boys and I did some scouting around Diabase Lake on Wednesday we were looking for a plant I found last spring on the shore. It was a Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), I wanted to take some flower pictures but too late the bloom had turned to seed. It is the first picture. The second is from the blog in the spring if you remember.

While looking around I found another new plant the Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta) a new one for the blog.