August gone all ready

Hard to believe that August is gone. Weather is finally improving with several days of sunshine coming up. A hint of fall is in the air, some of the Red Maples are starting to change and the temperature at night is getting close to freezing.

Our canoe trip is on hold until Thursday and have rerouted the trip somewhat to fit time limits.

Ontera is coming to hook up the hi-speed internet finally. Hopefully before Thursday.

A few more pics from the Edith Lake area, Meadowsweet, Edith Lake rapids, and some Dogwood berries.

Gowganda to Matachewan by ATV

My neighbour across the street Mike was determined to make it to Matachewan by way of the snowmobile trail. On Sunday we started the trek 3 machines with Mike, his wife Sharon and myself. It turned out that the worst part of the trip was the crossing Miller Ck. north of Everett Lake. Lots of boulders and muck after fixing up a couple of spots with more boulders we made it through. This trip probably wouldn't be possible if the creek was very high.

The first part of the trip had several boulders and logs across the trail, but finally we made it into the old cuts north of Obushkon Lake, from there on the trail just got better. Stopped in at Matachewan for a drink and then took the long way home along the road with a stop in at Indian Chutes Generating Station. All together it was about 135 Km. All in all a good trip. Crossed the Montreal River between Tommy Lake and Crotch Lake and took a pic of the low water levels.

Some more pics from Edith Lake

I knew I had more pics somewhere from the trip a couple of weeks ago. One of them a purple fringed-orchid. I think this is the first orchid I've seen this year. Right beside it a crimson mushroom (don't know it's real name) I have ever seen. Back down by the rapids there were a group of Arrowhead.

Weather has been cooperating pretty well with a thunderstorm moving thru today.

Look who flew in

Look who flew into the window I mean. While working in the kitchen I heard a great thump on the back porch window, after going outside to look around what do I find is an immature Pileated Woodpecker flat on the ground with his head rolling around. Picked him up and placed him in a dark box for about an hour in the porch. After that time I started to here some scatching from inside the box.

Opening the box I saw he was all right after all they spend most of their time pounding their head and neck into trees looking for bugs a crash into the house can't be all that bad. Anyway I took a few close up pics and then Gert came over and held onto him for his portait. This was taken between pecks at her hand with that large sharp bill, Thanks Gert.

Lobster Mushrooms

While cutting the grass over near Gowganda Lake Camp I viewed large Rubermaid containers filled with something redish, not going over to be a busy body I didn't find out what they were. Mentioned this to a friend who went and asked the camp owner what was going on, they said the people staying in the cabin were picking Lobster mushrooms. Never heard of them before so looked them up here, wouldn't you know the next ATV trip out piles of Lobster mushrooms. Bought them home, cleaned them up, fried in peanut oil some salt and pepper and voila good tasting wild mushrooms. Since that trip I have seen them all over the place and they are easily found by their lobster like colour.

For those around Gowganda while picking blueberries and rasberries enjoy some Lobster mushrooms with your next steak or whatever.

Blueberry crop

The blueberries are plentiful in most areas this year as expected with all the blooms earlier. On our ATV rides there have been areas that are completely blue and some have been the biggest I have ever seen. Lots of wild rasberries too and the pin cherries are loaded, the cool damp weather has made a bumper crop

Met a painted turtle along the way on a trip to Obushkon haven't seen one of those up here for a long time.

Paddling around Edith Lake

Up to Edith Lake with the canoe on Saturaday for a little trip for new pictures. The other reason is to get ready for a canoe trip at the end of the month to Ishpatina Ridge with Brian (brother in law), son Sam and a friend.

Day was quite pleasant and took pics of several new flowers which will come later. Today just a picture of the rapids from north of the landing, a Kingfisher and a Loon. Caught a nice bass out there too.

Edith Lake is the jumping off spot to the portage into Obushkong Lake, all part of the Montreal River system.

Fishing on Gowganda Lake

Out this afternoon for some fishing and picture taking. Fishing yielded some small mouth bass, perch and one 18 inch walleye. Only the walleye made it home in time for supper. While taking pictures I just missed a bald eagle that flew behind me but as I was taking pictures of the shore this Great Blue Heron flew out unexpectedly. Took several pics but this was the best of all.

August and still raining

Still the same old weather that we have had all summer, a continuation of May. Managed to get out for a bit this afternoon on the Bouche road. In between the rain showers I got in a few shots of Evening Primrose, Pearly Everlasting and some Pin Cherry. The cherries are abundant this year and the bears are pulling down the saplings to get the cherrys. They are also leaving lots of eaten cherry sign all along the road.

The boy's are gone

They must have had a good time as they didn't want to go. After a week of swimming, a pool party, fishing, hiking through town and generally doing what they wanted I guess not. Grampa had a good time too with the company. The silence is deafening.

Some pics from last week with the boys some Indian Pipe, Mountain Ash, and a Delphinium from the garden.

Jeremy and the boys on the way home from a afternoon of fishing.