Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wapus Creek

Drove out west of town as far as Houston Lake Camp to see what was going on today. Looks as though there is still a lot of gold exploration going on by the number of sideroads that are cleaned out. Here is a pic of Wapus creek from the bridge looking south.

Mild temps but no sun.

After snowblowing a bit of snow out of the yard, I headed down to the dam for a few pictures. It seems without the sun shining everything comes out pretty drab, even with a little creative fixup.

Snow roads

Some pics on my way back from the dump.

Cold and blowing snow

Well I guess winter has come, started yesterday with snow, all last night more snow and 70km. an hour winds. Drifts in the driveway in some places over 2 feet and well packed with the cold, it was just about all the snowblower could handle.

Tonight a bit more snow but bitter winds weather forecast for -27C. WC.

A male pine grosbeak near the feeder.

Moonscape

Here is one I forgot, taken a couple of months ago from the top floor window, overlooking the camps on the west side of the lake.

Winter around the corner

Getting a lot cooler these nights but the lake is still open in some spots. The fact that the wind has been so strong is the culprit for that.

Walked into MacIntosh Lake (part of the snowshoe trail) today, the marsh on the way in was frozen over but I still stayed around the edge. Finally stopped by an open stream at the south end of the lake.

Clearing Snowshoe trail

Not to much snow on the ground a good time to go around the snowshoe trail and clear some of the blowdowns. Not a lot of big wood down just trimming and clearing a bit. Crossing the beaver pond had it's problem with thin ice but managed to stay dry. When the first dam broke it left a lot of flooded land bare and even the beaverhouse lost all of it's water. In the photo you can see the entrance hole that would be under the water. Click on pic for panoview.

Gloomy day on Banker's Bay

Our for a hike and took a pic of Banker's Bay dark, rain, low clouds, dark water and then fixed it up or maybe not.

Elk Lake to Gowganda Video Link

Found a great video on the web of a fellow on a motorcyle and a helmet camera, biking from Elk Lake to Gowganda. Shows a lot of the country and all through town. You can view the video here.

From the archives

Today one that looks back at summer just before a storm on Gowganda Lake.

Skim of Ice over most of the lake

Last night put a skim of ice on most of the lake, including the North Arm as seen from the Highway west of town. Last year it was about the 6th of December and frozen over shorty after.

More hiking

Up at Edith Lake again yesterday, most of the snow had melted and the ground was soft. Took some more pictures especially some of the moss. It's like a carpet going up the side of the hill until it gets too dry.

Last week followed Miller Creek south for quite a way. Lots of small rapids with lots of water running. Will be here for some Speckeld Trout fishing next year.

Walking to Obushkong Lake

Walked up the ATV trail to Obushkong landing, a cool, wet wind from the north created large waves meeting the water coming over the falls. The falls created by the east Montreal river falling over stepped ledges from Edith Lake to Obushkong. The boat landing here has several camp and private boats most of them pulled up on higher ground for the winter.
On the way back I took several pics of a new plant to me, I knew by its range it should be here but I have never seen it. The plant has evergreen leaves (the Pyrola Family) and is called a Pipsissewa or Prince's Pine (Chimaphila umbellata). I took some pictures the day before but not being pleased with them I came back to take some more. This time the patch was covered in snow so I did my best to uncover and take some more pics. I have marked them so that in the spring I will photograph them in bloom.

Edith Lake walk

Did some fishing at the rapids today, the best I could do was wash the Rapala. After the fingers went numb it was time to warm up with a walk. Headed out towards Obushkon along the ATV trail. Some great areas for pics and will will return later. For today some mosses.

Horse Logging near Longpoint Lake

Out to Longpoint to see the horse logging, I had been out a couple of times before and missed them, today I took some videos of them cutting and pulling. They will be working this area until Christmas.

East Montreal River

This is a clip of the East Montreal River south of the Bridge in Gowganda.

Mid November flowers

Wandering around Outlook Point this AM and find a flower in bloom, mid November very strange. I supect the last few warm days started it blooming. A common plant called Yarrow. Not only was there one but another ready to bloom beside it.

ATV trip on Silverclaim Road

Paul and I were out on Monday, GPS mapping the roads on the Silverclaim Road near Elk Lake. A lot of wood has come out of this road with massive clear cuts that go forever. Lots of planting taking place too. After lunch we went up the old road to the Welsh Mine (formerly the Otisse Mine). A headframe is still visible and some old out buildings all within sight of Silverclaim Lake. For some further reading go here.

Fall's colours are just about finished

Down the Spear Lake road as far as Wapus Creek. With all the flowers and leaves gone the colours have all become dull and dark. Thank goodness a couple of splashes are still about. Some blueberries, Sweet Gale and a Balsam Poplar with shoots growing all over the stem.

Canoeing in November

A break in the weather, the canoe still isn't put away why not go for a paddle. Headed out to the Montreal River at the Upper Notch dam. A little trouble breaking through the ice in the shade it was almost 2.5 cm. Once in the open water I headed north towards Metikemedo Lake the next bulge in the river once there turned around and headed back south. Went a bit down the Wapus and found a good spot for lunch and a stretch. Chased a pair of otters for awhile, seen a couple of ducks and that was it headed home a great day on the water.

Frosty morning

Hedlund marsh iced over and lots of frost on the trees.

Diabase Lake late fall return trip

Short trip into Diabase Lake to check on a plant. I wanted to get one of the seed heads to try and plant some. It's called Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana). They call the seed head Old man's beard. Took a picture of the reflection of the pines on the cliff.

More snow today

Cold front came in overnight and stayed all day. Late this afternoon heavy wet snow falling. Starting to look like winter is coming.
Out to check on the horse loggers at Long Point missed them yesterday but found some of their trails hauling out the logs. They are doing some selective cutting of Jack Pine.

Hunting and Picture taking Duncan Lake Dam

Out this afternoon for some shooting, camera and gun. Panorama of the Duncan Lake Dam (click of the picture) which holds back water for Ontario Hydro. A plaque on the side of the water control section says it was built in 1966. On the hunting side a good day with 4 ruffed grouse.

First skiff of snow

Yesterday was the first time any snow stayed on the ground for any length of time. Today more flurries but not staying. Tonights temperature supposed to be -6C.

Sunset on fire

Took this out the window with the telephoto lens last evening, looks like the bush is on fire.

Bird hunting and fall pics

Jeremy and the boys came up for the weekend and besides eating and target shooting we headed out for some bird hunting. The birds won 2-1. Lots of colours still around with British Soldier lichen, tamaracks, some Jack Pine and a cloudy day over Porphyry Lake.