Nature At Her Best

Last week, Frank, Benny and I spent a few days up at his family cottage. The weather was decent. There wasn't a whole lot of sunshine, but neither was there too much rain.

I had two cameras in tow. Frank gave me a lovely Canon DSLR - (EOS 50D) recently (thank you, Frank!) and I'm trying to get the hang of it. I'm having minor success.

The low point of the holiday was when I realized that I had forgotten its battery charger at home. Luckily we were able to find a replacement at a camera shop along the way, before leaving city life fully behind. The high point was getting a good look (several, in fact) of a most majestic bird. Unfortunately it was from a fair distance, with poor lighting, so photos didn't turn out as clearly as I would have liked but I suspect we'll have further occasions to see and photograph this beauty.

We fished, explored, took in the sights, relaxed and of course, took photos. Some of those (from both cameras) are below. Please remember to click to enlarge.

Early one morning, Benny waited patiently for Frank to set up his fishing gear so that he could bark at each cast, and then pace in anticipation of what might come back out of the water at the end of the line. (please click to enlarge)

You might think that lures were designed to attract fish but Benny never took his eyes off of the end of that rod. (please click to enlarge)

Unless he was biting his own reflection in the water. (please click to enlarge)

Nothing to get all that excited about unless you're a JRT, a fish or Frank. (please click to enlarge)

Dull, overcast days made trying to capture a hummingbird's image quite difficult. I settled for its silhouette. (please click to enlarge)

On day two we awoke to a thick fog which blanketed the lake. I took this photo from the deck. The hummingbird took me by surprise, showing up in the viewfinder just as I clicked. (please click to enlarge)

Eventually, we had a semi-sunny day. I looked up at some point to see this distinctive halo surrounding the sun. A bit of Google research tells me that it's called a 22º Halo and it's formed by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals. (please click to enlarge)

I decided to play with it. A lone dragonfly wandered through just in time to become part of the picture. There's one in the previous image as well. (please click to enlarge)

This was one of the best treats. Its nest was visible after a three minute boat ride along the shore, and we ventured out at least three times to catch a glimpse of parents and/or young. That large blob below and to its right is the nest. We couldn't get in too close, and since the sky was mostly overcast, it was impossible for me to get a sharp image. (please click to enlarge)

But I managed a fairly decent shot of the Bald Eagle (sharpened up some in Photoshop), and hopefully we'll have more opportunities during the summer to try again. (please click to enlarge)

The sun came out a couple of evenings just in time for a lovely sunset. So ended another perfect day. (please click to enlarge)

More photos in the next post.

Fiery Skies

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 following photos were taken during the evening hours - though not necessarily on the same day.




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.

Liquid Gold

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!

Edging Into October

The subtle shades of September have begun to spark and catch the blaze of October's fiery reds, but I'll have to save their flame for another post. For now, I'm still living in the previous month when a late summer trip to the cottage beckoned, and we followed.

The drive from my home takes about four hours. Once we're off of the highway, and heading north and eastward, the countryside gently changes from flat farmland to rolling wooded hills. Small ponds and creeks spill over into view, reflecting the soft hues of the season.

There are a few standard stops along the way - the grocery store for perishables and something sweet. We act as if we're giving into a whim when buying the ooey-gooey delight from their bakery section, but we both know it's inevitable. Other stops along the way might include the dollar store for a needed item we realize was forgotten, the chip wagon for this area's best fries and of course the tiny but adequately-stocked liquor store for wine or some spirit to help combat the chilly autumn nights.

The last leg of our journey takes us through winding dirt roads that follow the lake. The curves are tight as the road rises and dips, hugging the hills which make up this beautiful lake shore drive. The land is dense with trees, allowing only an occasional glimpse of water when glancing off to the left. Driveways are marked with a column of wood-carved signs, proudly displaying family names which serve to announce that you're approaching your destination. Throughout the twists and turns, Benny begins to turn up his volume - worry-whining to remind us that he must not be left in the car when we stop this time.




When you see this sign, you know it's time to turn left and drive the last few hundred meters to the cottage. (please click to enlarge)




We were pleased to see that there was a boat available for our use. I liked the way the yellow swirl on the side seemed to continue its flow in the securing ropes. (please click to enlarge)




Once unpacked, we decided to take the boat out and cast a few lines. Benny joined us, but we soon regretted our decision to include him as he never stopped running back and forth - pausing briefly to lean over the edge to bite at our wake. (please click to enlarge)



Visions of his little frame falling overboard prompted us to leave him inside the cottage next time - much to his dismay. This was taken as the boat was pulling away from the dock. (please click to enlarge)




Except for one particularly cold and rainy day, one or both of us fished at least once daily. The early evening sky treated us to its paintbox of colours. (please click to enlarge)



One day, we saw temperatures dropping from balmy to near-nippy. That last evening on the boat became a bit uncomfortable as clouds obscured the setting sun. This was the last cast of the day. (please click to enlarge)




Early the next day, while we sat on the deck drinking coffee, we selected a lure to fish off of the dock, and planned a possible hike. (please click to enlarge)




Benny "relaxed" in the boat which was docked nearby - until he saw something that caught his attention. (please click to enlarge)




Sunning itself on the dock, was a tiny red dragonfly. Since it had caught Benny's excited attention, it was in peril of being inadvertently stomped upon by an exuberant Jack Russell Terror. I offered a finger and the dragonfly gladly accepted the invitation to relocate. It graciously allowed me a macro shot before we bid it farewell. (please click to enlarge for detail).


We hope to return to the cottage for one last visit sometime next week. During that time, I plan to schedule two more posts with more images from last month's stay. If I'm not making the rounds visiting your blogs, and not responding to comments at that time, that's where I'll be.

Mud In Your Eye

Last week's visit to the cottage has already begun to feel like a distant memory and I hope that we can get back there sometime soon.

You might remember that last September, we took the boat out and tried to fish for walleye. I kept on hooking and reeling in catch after disappointing catch, with nary a walleye in sight. At that time, Frank insisted that I learn to hook my own worm and remove my own catch from the hook - and I did. This year he added one very nasty task to the routine. I had to "blow up" my own worm. It took me a couple of seasons to even stomach watching while Frank injected his worms with air and now he wanted me to handle that job myself. Gulp!

Here's what's required. After piercing the slimy, wriggly creature with the hook, the worm is held steady with one hand, while inserting a syringe-like needle into its body. The needle is attached to a small, empty plastic bottle. A quick squeeze of the bottle injects a puff of air into the worm so that it will float above the sinker which otherwise weighs it down to the bottom of the lake. This makes the worm more enticing for curious, hungry walleye.

I was beginning to get the hang of it after a few tries, and began to relax a bit. By the fourth or fifth time, it became routine. I hooked the worm, and held it in place while finding and unscrewing the safety cap from the "worm blower." I inserted the needle into the worm and casually squeezed the bottle. The worm immediately squeezed back and squirted me right in the eye with - I don't know - worm guts! It was unattractive to say the least. So was Frank's laughter. Really unattractive, Frank!

I managed to survive it, rinsed my fingers and face off with lake water and proceeded to catch my one and only walleye.



Here's my walleye under the knife. Frank's skillful fingers had it beheaded, filleted, skinned and wrapped in no time flat. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



We were treated to several beautiful sunsets during our stay - like this one. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



The setting sun lends such lovely light to everything it kisses. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



We drove into a nearby town one afternoon, where we eventually did a bit of shopping. On our way out of this general store, Francis spotted this little chipmunk feasting on some spilled sunflower seeds atop a storage shelf. It scarcely gave us a glance while it greedily filled its cheeks. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



The Hummingbird feeder was like an airport with incoming flights and frequent departures. This little one thrummed past my head and posed briefly for a photo. It appeared to take notice of a wasp which was anticipating its own taste of the sweetened water. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



A couple of parked Kayaks offered a splash of colour to the view seen outside the back door. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



Benny spent many hours honing his swimming skills. He also perfected his water-biting skills. Rather than wait for waves to roll in...


.. I accommodated him by splashing and kicking the water his way. He obliged by jumping up to bite as many droplets as he could. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



On our last day, we fished until the sun began to set. The rising moon and clouds reflected some rich colours. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



Back on shore, the sky exploded with colour for the last sunset of our holiday. (Click the photo to enlarge it)



As we were cleaning out the cottage and packing up the car to go home, we noticed this bug sunning itself on the railing of the deck. (Click the photo to enlarge it)

We left the cottage on a perfectly sunny day. The sky was a brilliant blue with only occasional wispy clouds. We packed up the car without concern about rain. Canvas bags and other not-so-water-resistant items were secured to the roof rack and off we went.


As we headed for home, the sky changed considerably. All around us we could see pockets of angry weather and each slowdown on the highway was nerve-wracking to say the least, but we managed to make it home with moments to spare before the sky opened up. (Click the photo to enlarge it)

Benny does not like it when he doesn't know where we're going. He's pretty good in the car if it's a routine trip, like when Frank comes to my place or home again, but the trip to and from the cottage was different and wrong! Here he is doing his distressed chimpanzee imitation. (Make sure your sound is on!)

But eventually, all becomes right in his world again. (Click the photo to enlarge it)