Odds and ends and remote shooting

Have added something new to the collection of toys, remote shooting. This device attaches to the camera and can be triggered with a remote transmitter from several 100 meters. I haven't tested it out to see how far it will function but you can count on me giving you a report. A simple test was done as I climbed up this hill and took several snaps on the way up to the top, if you put them all together you have a stop motion effect. This can be done by using the QuickTime player to produce a clip showing progress up the hill. Unfortunately right now the file is too big and will have to resize all the pics to make it uploadable.

Another view of beaverland and some of last year's wintergreen berries.

Spring flowers

Finally some wild blooms besides dandelions. Just peeking out from under their leaves the flowers of Trailing Arbutus mostly found under shade. The scent from these small flowers is great. You will find them among the Wintergreen and mosses.

This time last year

Last year at this time we still had ice, but it soon disappeared. We have had 3+ weeks of ice free lake this year, excellent spring weather. Nothing to complain about at all. The driftwood in ice, memories of last year.

Hedlund marsh

Out the highway this afternoon and past Hedlund Marsh, the beavers must have it damned up south of the road as I have never seen that much water there. I suspect that's what it must have looked like when there was a lake there. Some rock was blasted out years ago to drain the lake into Gowganda Lake to help the flow of water.

It had to come to an end-snow today

Cooler today with about and inch of snow, stuck around all day. Tomorrow promises to be better.Down to the mail today and saw some new birds floating around the rocks. Went down and took some pics of widgeon, scaup, bufflehead, and gulls for about 20 minutes, walked back to put the camera in the truck and out of the corner of my eye a Bald Eagle swooped down upon them and scared them all away, missed a good picture there.

Then a trip out to Single Lake, to see if I could see the otter's and get a pic, no such luck, maybe nest time. Heard my first loon of the season here too.

Another couple of great days

The weather has speeded up all the growth, the grass is greening, dandelions are out, growth is going on everywhere. This is May weather but its only 3 weeks into April. Swallows are back so there must be enough bugs flying around to feed them. Haven't seen any blackflies yet but I'm sure they aren't too far away. Mosquitoes have been out for 2 weeks, not in any great numbers and the Lilacs are now showing leaves.

First ATV ride of the season

Out this afternoon for an ATV ride down to Sunshine Lake at the Beauty Lake Rd. Took the new snowmobile trail down to the Beauty Lake Rd but stayed on the ATV trail at the north end and connected to the old trail further down. The new snowmobile trail follows all the swampy areas while the old trail is rough its a lot drier. The water at the Calcite Ck. crossing wasn't very deep, much like all the water levels this year.
Great trip, nice weather saw a few grouse some wolf tracks, moose sign, stayed warm and dry what more could you ask for. All together return trip from the house and back 70km.

Bit more snow

Flurries and wet snow on and off all day. The forecast shows much better weather on the way. What the heck it's only April usually the ice is still in.

Out to town (ptui) on Thursday not my favourite past time and came back by way of Englehart down through to Elk Lk. Just outside of Elk Lake a field full of Sandhill Cranes, they have used this field every year now for some time. This field must have lots of feed, worms, bugs, and seeds to have them there every year on their migration.

Today another visitor to the feeder a Morning Dove.

River volumes increasing

Montreal River flow has increased quite a bit, probably due to the frost coming out and the last of the snow melt. These are pics from today near the bridge in town. Some juniper moss from the Edith Lake Rd.

Calm on Gowganda Lake

Down fishing early this AM, no luck but a great warm morning to be out. No bites today again, I think the water is too cold and there aren't any hatches of bugs going on to bring the whitefish around yet. I use worms just lying on the bottom supposedly like something just hatched.

Anyway good time for taking some pics of the calm waters. Even thought I saw an inukshuk.

Snow just about gone again, please

Snow has taken a beating over the weekend and by tomorrow's forecast should be gone. A warming trend is on it's way for most of the next week. Water levels are starting to rise in the lake but I think it's going to be awhile yet.

Out to Diabase Lake this afternoon, as I was fishing out there under the cliff on the ice I thought that it would be a good idea to check out the view from the top of the cliff later on. Today was the day and I wasn't disappointed it's a great view but slippery along the edge with the wet snow.

What a difference a couple of days make

Tuesday afternoon went down and did some whitefish fishing, weather comfortable, ice almost gone didn't have a bite but nice to get the rod and reel out.

Then there is today, started this morning and will continue until next winter.

Another old relic Part 2

This one near Firth Lake, I don't have an idea what this one is. Help.

Lake Ice is disappearing fast

With all the wind and the rain overnight there has been a big change in the lake ice. These pictures were taken this afternoon about 3:00 PM, probably by tomorrow morning Outlook Bay will be clear. Whitefish will be on the prowl. I'm ready.

The things you find on the trail after the snow is gone

Out walking this morning with Kate who finally had some time off to come up to Gowganda. The head chef told her that if she doesn't take some time in April she won't get any this summer at all.

We headed into the Edith Lake Rd and then to Denny Lake. Going to Denny from the trail at the outhouses and then came out the snowmobile trail back to the main road. On the way out Kate spotted an almost full bottle of Rye whiskey. Someone who was on the trail by snowmobile had lost it out of their sleigh or back of the snowmobile. What a shock that must have been to get to the fishing spot and have no refreshments. I can imagine the look on their faces. Anyway the bottle is at the house, it may cost you to get it back.

Another old relic

While out last week I came across another old truck hidden in the bush, this one near Duncan Lake. Without the leaves on the undergrowth they are a lot easier to spot. These photos have had a little touch up in Photoshop to make them look even older. I think this is probably a Ford product, anyone?