This is a scheduled post, so if I don't reply to your comments, or visit your blog for a while, please know that it's because I'm away for a few days. I'll do my best to catch up upon my return.
Below are a few more photos from our September trip to the cottage. They kind of pick up from where we left off at the previous post below.
As I mentioned last time, we considered taking a hike into the woods. We weren't planning to go far - just around the bend of the peninsula which separates the cottage from a nearby bay. It was probably less than a kilometer away, but through semi-heavily wooded terrain.
The area surrounding the cottage is woodsy. A hike along the irregular shoreline can be a tad arduous. Trees growing close to the shore display their exposed, gnarled roots. (please click to enlarge)
We headed out one afternoon, in order to locate a bald eagle's nest which we'd seen from the boat over the past couple of years, while out fishing. There had been semi-recent sightings of the birds and we thought we'd like to explore the area around the nest. (please click to enlarge)
We found several different kinds of vegetation along the way, including this unusual pink-capped fungi. (please click to enlarge)
And this miniature, vivid orange mushroom. (please click to enlarge)
Once we approached the point where we believed the tree should be, we looked up and soon found the uninhabited nest. We wandered around the base of the tree, looking for signs of the eagles' existence. Frank's own eagle-eye soon rewarded him with a worn but lovely, large feather which had clearly belonged to a most majestic bird. (please click to enlarge)
One of the good things about being at the cottage after the summer months are over, is the privacy. In part, this meant that we can wander over to the neighbouring property to admire their flowers. These people had a lovely garden set into the rocky edge of their land. They made perfect use of the natural setting to plant flowers and set up a statue of St. Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals and the environment. Benny took one look at the statue and started barking his fool head off at it. (please click to enlarge)
Benny was equally stymied by this little cast iron boy, fishing off the side of the shore. Frank tried to convince him that it was inanimate, but he wasn't buying that. (please click to enlarge)
At their shoreline, a tree grows almost diagonally out over the lake. (please click to enlarge)
The folks who spend their summers here, were clearly not done for the season, and would likely return shortly. There were reminders of the young children who played here, probably just days earlier. This makeshift table displayed toy trucks, and on the arm of an wooden chair, we saw a small collection of nickels - just sitting there. A couple more were partially embedded in the earth nearby - probably as a result of the previous night's storm. We gave our thanks for the look-around by adding a few more nickels to their collection. (please click to enlarge)
A view from inside the boathouse, looking out over the launch, and between Benny's legs, to the lake. (please click to enlarge)
Remember that stop over at the liquor store (see previous post)? A couple of lime slices adds the perfect touch to a pre-mixed Mojito. (please click to enlarge)
And for the cooler weather, just have a sip of this liquid gold. (please click to enlarge)
Please watch for the next scheduled post, coming soon!
This is the final post of a three-part series of photos taken during our September visit to the cottage. If all works out as planned, you're reading a scheduled post, and I'm back at the cottage for what is probably the last time this year. So please keep in mind that if I've not been to your blog, or answered your kind comments in mine, I'll be back soon, and do my best to catch up. Thanks for your understanding and particularly for coming by for a visit even when I'm not here. Pour yourself a drink - whatever you prefer, and make yourself comfortable. I'll see you in a few days.
The late day sun casts its golden glow into the woods behind the cottage.
Nearby, Benny bravely attacks approaching waves.
Ultimately, he rescues this birch branch - perfect for stripping to its bare wood.
Some evenings, we sat by the fire and watched the sunset.
The sky was ablaze with colour.
A delicious mixed drink warmed our bellies.
A view from the cottage.
The end of a perfect day.
