Rough-legged Hawk

A lucky chance to video a Rough-legged Hawk came up at my neighbours.  Wayne is a trapper who had a few skinned beavers by the side of his house.  Dana alerted me of the hawk eating on one of the skinned beavers.  It is a immature bird that must have been awfully hungry as it kept eating for a least 2 hours. Took lots of video and here is a sample.  Some of this might be a little gory for some be aware.

Fall flooding

The rain hasn't stopped for days and now the lakes and rivers are in spring time flood mode, Gowganda Lake is close to all time high water, the rivers very dangerous.  In Elk Lake the town dock is under water.  The whole system is backed way up now.  Starting tomorrow we will be treated to several days of sunshine, finally.

This is downstream of the Notch Dam

This is the Notch Dam the water is almost to the top of the dam this water is coming from the Montreal River thru Duncan Lake and joining the Montreal River at the Wapus Creek.

Canoe trip to Ishpatina Ridge Part 4 (end)

Day 4 and 5

 After leaving the McCullock Lake campsite we headed back north to Smoothwater lake.  It took several hours of portaging but when we hit Smoothwater the portaging was OVER. We headed up to our first campsite for the night a lot more relaxed knowing there was no more portages.  Next morning we paddled out of the park and north to the landing at Beauty Lake Road. Once again a great trip. Brian's smile says it all.

A video of us just about to pass the boundry line of Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Wilderness Park.

New growth

From the old and decayed life springs up.

Canoe trip to Ishpatina Ridge Part 3

Going for Ishpatina
 Up early had breakfast and packed up for the paddle to Scarecrow Lake where the landing is to take the 3 hours hike to the top. Paddled down Mihell lake to the first portage a small one at 120m. After the portage we decided to leave all the camping gear there and go for the Ridge. If not we would have had a portage of over 1200m to do with all the equipment.  Packed a small bag with some lunch and camera and headed to the 1200m. portage into Scarecrow Lake. What a relief not taking all the gear with us.
Started the hike at the landing, trail was marked but in a few places it took a bit to stay on the right trail the rocks and moss were damp and slippery as we ascended with a few slips and falls, it took a good 3 hours to get to the top both of us were glad to see the top at this point, a few more meters and we were at the fire tower. At this summit we were 693m the highest point in Ontario. Fortunately the sun came out viewing was a little hazy but you could really see for miles. Spent some time taking some pics had some lunch, looked around for about an hour and then started back down, that took about 2 1/2hrs.
Our goal when we got back down to the canoe was to make it back to the camp we stayed at last night good thing we had left all our gear on the other side of the 1200m portage. Got the tent up and a bit of supper and by that time it was getting dark.

More fall colours

   

This was taken at the north end of the Edith Lake Rd.

Canoe trip to Ishpatina Ridge Part 2

After a breakfast of boiled eggs and toast and coffee we headed south to the first portage at the south end of Smoothwater. The first portage is the hardest, this wasn't the case as they just got worse.  Having bought to much for this trip there was, one trip for the canoe, another for 2 barrel packs and whatever you could hold in your hands and another trip of Sealine pack and a smaller pack. 5 trips for each portage. The first portage being around 720m to Apex Lake we are now over the height of land and all waters from this lake flow south. By the way 720m X 5 is 3.6km of portage. At end of Apex lake another portage of 1100m to a small lake another 60m,30m,and 160m takes us to McCullough Lake. This is the where we camped the 2nd nite. Supper that night didn't amount to too much as we were pretty well beat.  Early to bed. 

Map courtesy of Ottertooth.com

McCullough Lake camp