Swallowtail butterfly

The lilacs this year were just covered with bumblebees, wasps, moths and butterflys especially the Swallowtail butterfly as you see here

Fires still burning

Perfect weather for fires, very hot, a low humidity, dry forest and wind.  Another fire has now started south of Gogama.  Kirkland Lake is waiting for the call to evacuate if the fire gets any closer.  Rain may start next Sunday a long way off.

Here are some blueberry blossoms I seen coming back from the Osprey nest.

Great weather today

Yesterday afternoon we had quite a thunderstorm and shower.  Most of the water was just sucked into the ground it is so dry.  To the northeast there is a large fire threatening Kirkland Lake and out to the west near Gogama the fire stretches 45 km north to south (21,000 ha.) the largest in the province.  Lightning strikes from yesterday will start to show in a couple of days, with no rain in sight for the week.  Hopefully none around here.

Out this AM taking some pics of the Osprey nest I found a couple of weeks ago, they may have an egg  but are still building the nest.  Here's one with a branch for the nest.

Butterfly feeding on lilacs

The butterfly is upside down and feeding on the pollen below.  Look close and you will see the feeding tube.

Sitting around listening to the frogs

Near Foot Lake

First run with the boat this year

Testing the motor the other day so it will be ready for fishing .  Headed down to the falls at the south end of the lake.  Took the camera for a few pics too.

Supermoon tonight

Today is the day the moon is 26,000 km closer to the earth making it look 14% bigger.  This was taken tonight just after moonrise.

 This is about 45min later as it got further up in the sky and finally disappeared behind the cloud cover.

HDR of Marsh Marigold

Marsh Marigold

Lilac blossoms just emerging

With the warm weather and a bit of rain lilacs are just starting to open, here's a close up.

Old truck revisited

Back to retake pics of this truck at Duncan Lake.  Being early spring there are less shadows with no leaves in the trees.  This is 3 pictures stitched together as I was quite close to the truck to avoid branches. 

Temiskaming District Visitors Guide

This picture of Rankin Lake was taken during a canoe trip on the Montreal River.  We camped for 2 days on the beach. I submitted it to the Visitor's Guide just recently and it was used for the Gowganda info page.

So much for spring

The pictures tell the story.

Out with the old

As spring progresses the growth from the previous year starts all over again such as these cattails.

Yesterday down the Spear Lake Rd. to check out the bridge over the Wapus River.  On a southwest bank of sand in full warm sun my first wildflower of the season. I had been looking for this one as it blooms early.   Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) a member of the Heath Family  (Ericaceae).

Down to Edith Lake

Road down to Edith Lake has dried out.  Ended up at the rapids and took a few pics.  Snow on the ground this AM with a cool breeze the rest of the day.  Pic of White throated  sparrow the Whistler of the North.

Great day today sunny and warm, tomorrow rain and getting colder and freezing temps.  Just a usual spring.  Down the Mann Ridge Rd. to see if the opening of the old mine addit has started.  Pretty quiet down there just a bulldozer stashed in the trees, they said they would start in May but I thought they may have started earlier with the good weather.  A combined macro of willow flower. The bee's will be out enjoying the pollen.

Minnow Lake

Put in the minnow trap a couple of days ago thinking it was too early but today ended up with a dozen minnows, the water must be warming up quickly.  On the trail I started seeing some new growth here and there it's about time.

First Whitefish of the year

Took a hike across the road a couple of days ago when the ice had moved from shore.  This is earlier than usual but here is the first whitefish of the season.  Several more and I will be able to fill the smoker. Mmmmgoood.

Ice out

Finally the ice moved down the lake with the wind yesterday.  Today most of the lake was clear down past the big island.  It's nice to see the waves on the blue water again. 

ATVing again

Promise of a warm day took us for another ride.  This time north on the Bouche Rd west of town over the top of Firth Ck. where these pics are taken, south down the Holwood Rd. west of Firth lake to the highway.  Along the highway to the Elkhorn Rd and down to the Elkhorn Lake landing and then back home.  Good ride with some mud, snow and ice in the shadows. The pic is of Ed Barnstaple and Paul Trudel.