Lupin explosion

All along the sides of the roads the lupins are blooming

More plants down the Bouche Rd.

Kalmia angustifolia is a flowering shrub in the family Ericaceae, commonly known as Sheep Laurel.

Out to the dump today

Had a few things to take to the dump today and thought why not put the camera in the truck in case I see something unusual.  I'm glad I did as I was unloading the truck a black bear came out  and behind her 4 small cubs.  First time I have seen one with 4 cubs.  They are all pretty small looking.

More pics from the other day

Here are some Bunchberries that were in bloom

I was checking the state of the blueberries

Checking the blueberries yesterday too.  The temperature dropped the last couple of nights but I don't think anything was damaged.  This was taken up the Bouche Rd yesterday where I posted a pic previously on the blog.

Down to Milner Lake yesterday

Beautiful day yesterday, air was clear and cool even the bugs weren't so bad.  The water had gone down quite a bit since I had seen it last.  Walked out on the bog to take some pictures of cotton grass (Eriophorum) it was at it's best.

Temiskaming District Visitors Guide 2013

Submitted pictures a couple of months ago to find that 3 of mine had been chosen this year.  All were taken around Gowganda at the north powerline west of town, on Gowganda Lake fishing and canoeing on the Montreal River.

Back again finally

Been busy for quite some time now lots of work around home and shop work.  A few days taken up with cutting portages for the Friends of Temagami.  I volunteered to open up some old portages that hadn't been used for years, others were clearing old trails too.  This is part of a canoe route that was used a long time ago and are now open to canoeists to see some new country and be able to go as far as James Bay.  The blackflies and mosquitoes are very bad right now so anyone traveling up this way should be prepared.  Here is a shot of Outlook point tonight as the sun was setting.

Could be a great blueberry year

Lots of flowers on the blueberries today, hopefully there won't be a heavy frost from now on like last year (the year of no berries).

A bit further down the road a small creek with Marsh Marigolds. Like many other members of the buttercup family, the species contains a blistering sap, which can be dangerous.

Blackflys have started today

Our summer guests have finally arrived the blackflys.  Check out this link to the song blackfly.

Crisp and cool today

Great day today, frost in the morning and cool the rest of the day.  Very few blackflys in the bush today too thank goodness as I was clearing an old portage trail that hadn't seen use in many a year.  Didn't quite finish it today so will need a couple more hours to clean it up.  Not many flowers along the way, the ferns still hadn't uncurled fully yet either.  Lots of run off still.

More Gowganda sunset

Still having some problems with uploading, this way you get better quality video.  Click the blue link.   Here is a link to another video with better resolution.    -------------   gowganda sunset

Yesterday's sunset

Sitting along the shore watching the sunset last evening.  What more could you ask for.

Diabase Lake

This is the one I have been trying to upload for several days.

Diabase Lake outcrop

One of the first flowers in spring

Back from down south, way to busy for me and very hot.  Out to Single lake where I

knew I would find some Trailing Arbutus blooming, it took awhile until I found some where the sun has been kind to them.  Don't forget to click the pic.

ICE OUT

This is what I saw around 7:30 this morning as the day progressed you could not see any more ice at the south end from Gowganda.  That's not to say there may be patches around the other bays.

Montreal River at 560 bridge this AM

Pretty good flow of water going north this morning.

Date should say May 4 2013 oops.

Gowganda sunset

Be sure to click the pic

Burke Lake this afternoon

Went in to take some pics of the river flowing into the south end of Burke Lake but couldn't even get close with the flooding.  The water is flowing thru the trees on either side of the river some spots 6 feet deep.  Ice is all off of Burke Lake.