Ice conditions

Here are a couple of pics of the shoreline across the road.  The mystics are betting on May 8th for ice out.

Notice the buds on the shrubs in the foreground of the second pic.  Finally a hint of things to come.

East Montreal River today

Down near the bridge today, water is rising now every day, good weather coming over the weekend.   Hopefully more of the snow will start to disappear faster.

 

                            

Following up with another bird

White throated sparrow

Even the birds are unhappy with the weather

By the look on this bird's face I think he's fed up with the weather too.

Sunny weather but not alot of melting

Here is a pic of the ice opening up between Duncan Lake and the Notch Dam.  Lots of snow still in the bush.  The rain has made the water levels come up in the creeks and rivers.  Click of pic for larger pic.

Creeks and Rivers starting to flow

After quite a bit of rain yesterday and warmer temps the snow is starting to go and the creeks and rivers are starting to flow.  The first pic is of the Makobe River at Elk Lake and a creek along highway 560.

Here is a video of yesterdays trip

Another video test, this time from yesterdays trip to Burke Lake.  This can be watched on Youtube by clicking on the Youtube at the bottom of the video a larger picture will be shown.

South end of Burke Lake

Snowshoed in to the Montreal River where it empties into Burke Lake, quite a bit of open water along the east side of lake.  Common Mergansers and Bufflehead ducks are back.

Remember that maybe I wrote about yesterday

Well it's all gone down with the sink water now.  Overnight another 20cm of heavy wet snow to get rid of.  Fortunately it still could be moved with snowblower.

A small sign of spring---maybe

Up the Everett Lake road to see what was going on, stopped by Miller Creek and some of it is starting to show a little bit.  Trying to improve my video skills over the next little while so stay tuned in.

Bald Eagle surprise

Got home from town around 1:30 and a few minutes later Mary Bullock phones from the post office to tell me there are 2 Bald Eagles in the trees.   I asked what trees she says the ones just in front of my house over the wood pile.  It didn't take much to see them as I was already upstairs and they were just 50 ft from the window.  Grabbed the camera and took some pics, didn't have time to put on the telephoto lens but shot with what I had. Be sure to click for larger image.

Montreal River yesterday

Snowshoed down to the river south of the bridge to get a couple of pics, lots of snow still in the bush and out of it.  Going to -15C tonight too.  Click for larger picture and then click on it again for an even bigger one.

Snowshoeing to Diabase Lake

Nice sunny day for a snowshoe today.  Snow has a good crust on it and it's easy going.  Went into Diabase Lake to take some pictures.

Out for hike

Took a walk up a forestry road that they just started to plow out just north of Sharon Lake west of Long Point Lake.  Loggers had done some cutting in there last year and are now opening up for the spring.  Further in there were some piles of wood that they hadn't moved out last year.  Hopefully they will take them this spring.

Sunny but still cold

Happy St. Patrick's day today for all that take part.  The weather is still dragging it's butt, cold nights and still lots of snow.  Last year a week ago or so we were out ATVing.  Mind you last year was unlike many years.  It will be quite awhile yet before the snow and ice goes.  Here's a pic of the homestead with quite a bit of snow still here and we haven't had our couple of spring storms yet.

More snow and freezing rain

Another 15 cm. of snow followed by freezing rain and then more snow has many of the trees bent over with some breaking.   The power went out on the west side of Gowganda Lake as a tree fell on the line. Click on pic for full view.

Out for my walk this morning

Left a little earlier this morning to take some pics of the fog just over the ice.

A first look at spring weather

 After a few clouds early this AM the sun finally came out the temperature rose and the melt started.  I felt like a groundhog today finally seeing my shadow.  Coming back from the dump and entering the two rock faces into Gowganda, I think we should put a gate up there.

Spear Lake Rd, today

The pictures this winter look all the same, hopefully there will be a break in the weather soon.  The only thing that changed is the depth of the snow.

Milder today

West of town at Single Lake on the snowmobile trail into the North arm on Gowganda Lake.  Lots of snow in the bush on the crossover.  Bottom picture is Gowganda Lake at the north end of the North Arm.