Between Dawn and Dusk

Last week, Frank, his older son Francis and I spent a few days up at their cottage. The weather was what Frank would refer to as good fishing days - mostly overcast and often rainy. The cloudy skies did occasionally yield to the sun in short-to-moderate bursts, often at the times of day that I like the best - when it begins its ascent or descent in the sky.

Most mornings were dull, and often rainy, so I was in the habit of sleeping right through the days' dawning. A large living room window allowed for a perfect view from the open bedroom door, and a quick glance while rousing usually confirmed that the sky was gray. One morning, I stole a sleepy peek outside and noticed that the lake had a warm, pink hue to it. Knowing full well that if I just rolled over and went back to sleep, I'd miss the week's only decent sunrise, so I grabbed my camera and headed out the back door to the dock.

(Click to enlarge)

This is the scene that greeted me.

(Click to enlarge)

Other mornings, the lake was cloaked with a moody fog.

Since most days were good for fishing, we did a fair bit of it. I caught my first Walleye (Pickerel) which Frank deemed to be just within keeper range.

(Click to enlarge)

The next afternoon, he took the boat out alone for a few hours and came home with this beauty, which he promptly filleted and wrapped for freezing.

(Click to enlarge)

While Frank was out fishing, Francis and I bonded with each other and with nature. He lifted rocks, logs and and other things to reveal a few hidden creatures. This snake was hiding in the raft.

(Click to enlarge)

This tiny toad allowed me a shot with my macro before Francis released it back into the grass.

(Click to enlarge)

An overturned rock revealed this Red-spotted Newt - part of the Salamander family.

(Click to enlarge)

After an unfortunate launch-tip-splash of the canoe, Francis changed his clothes, and got right back into the saddle paddle.

(Click to enlarge)

Glancing back toward the shore to my left, the boathouse and launch are partly obscured by the gnarly trunk of this cedar.

(Click to enlarge)

The evenings kindly offered many lovely sunsets. Here's one of them.

(Click to enlarge)

A few minutes later the sky was ablaze with brilliant colour.

(Click to enlarge)

On a different night, colours were more subtle, but created a pretty backdrop behind the silhouette of this tree.


In a few days, I'll post some more photos, some of which will include that goofball Benny.