Hummingbirds are back - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I placed my two hummingbird feeders up again last weekend and this morning I noticed birds at both feeders. I have no idea if it was the same bird and it was just checking out the front and back for the vintage of nectar…but just happy to report they have made their long migration back here. Sadly my camera battery was not charged (it is now) and my phone wasn’t handy, but I’m ready now!

The catkins looked lovely just hanging in the still air…a little curtain to introduce the lake…how I love Spring!

There are a number of renovations taking place at homes and cottages this season. This one has always been one of my favourites and came to new owners last Spring…I hope it’s a sympathetic project. I don’t know how old the original home was but I look forward to following its rebirth.

So the only ‘bird’ that I did see today was a ‘Ladybird’…spotted by the wee laddie on the lake shore this afternoon with his laser vision.

May 1, 2021 - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

It’s hard to believe that May 1st is here! It’s been a mostly lovely day, although as I write this it looks as though the rain may come. I’m hoping the days will be consistently warmer soon.

Still no visits from the hummingbirds as far as I know. It was lovely to hear and see the purple martins have made their way back to ‘Bob’s Lodges’ for the season. A few neighbours on the water have one of his bird houses but I don’t think they’ve had any birdies move in yet. Make sure you have the sound on…they are very distinct.

I think the ferry may have been taken out of the water yesterday…the winds were fierce, but it was back in business today.

Wind surfer's dream - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Today I braved an hour at the park with the two wee laddies. Winds were gusting up to 50mph and almost blew the bairn’s pushchair over! Nothing like a brisk breeze to blow the cobwebs away. Dark and moody skies were the order of the day with rain in the air for most of it. Even driving along the lake today I had spray from the waves crashing at the shoreline landing on my windshield. Funny how some just live for weather like this.

No way - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Short and sweet today…sun and ICE!

Happy Birthday - A LAKE FOR ALLSEASONS

Today I quietly celebrated my 61st birthday. This was my second birthday in Covid times and after a year, it still feels so surreal and quite frankly almost even more scary. I hope that we will all be in a more positive place by this time next year.

I spent my day appreciating lovely messages that came in from family and friends from near and far. I miss them all, I miss the hugs yet I’m grateful that we have managed to remain safe so far. Hubby and I are anxiously awaiting our first vaccine jab scheduled for next Tuesday just a few days before he celebrates his birthday…for this we are grateful too. The greatest gift we could receive is to hug our children and grandchildren; a small act that means the world.

Earth Day April 22, 2021 - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I honestly believe that every day is Earth Day - it can’t be any other way. I find myself frequently considering the impact I’m personally having on our planet and things I can do do help lessen negative outcomes in any meaningful way I can. When you really sit down and think about it there are many small changes that can be made, think about it - if everybody could regularly do a little something, big and positive results are possible.

It was a bone chilling day once again. Glistening icicles were draped on trunks and branches as the waves from the lake showered them with tiny droplets of water.

As I was taking these couple of photographs my eye was drawn to…a golf ball and fishing lure beached on the shore…one of many I’m sure. I plan on going back and removing them next time I pass as I didn’t have my collection bag with me today…and I should have had it with me!

Then there was the wee laddie today so excited to tell me all about Earth Day on the way to the park this afternoon and how aware he is that people litter and that it’s so bad for the environment. There will be a bag and gloves with us next time!

Such Promise - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Today started with such promise with regards to the weather. I was hopeful for a lovely sunset tonight that I could capture with the drone (I’m going to give it a name, just haven’t decided what yet). As it has turned out temperatures have cooled considerably and now at around 5.30pm the storm clouds have moved in and it’s raining cats and dogs…sideways!

The first photo here was at the beginning of my morning walk. I turned back shortly after I took it as I couldn’t face walking through the clouds of black flies. Those are what the specks of black are…not a dirty camera lens. Even with my face mask on they were buzzing around my ears and in my eyes, so no thank you and I retreated back home.

I went to take my grandchildren over to the park for an hour this afternoon and boy was it chilly. We could hear the waves on the shore at their house so we knew it was going to be windy. The kite surfers were in seventh heaven I’m sure. We lasted an hour in the fresh air, always a great feeling blowing away the cobwebs.

A quick flight - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I’ve started learning to fly…a drone. This is something I’ve wanted to try for a number of years now.

This is a perfect spot to capture a lake for all seasons from a different perspective…and in theory I’m still using my phone. I’m still quite nervous about the whole thing while also extremely excited about the possibilities. The main thing that causes me anxiety is the possibility of landing in the water…that would not be good!

So here is a quick shot from this afternoon. You can just make out what looks like a popular fishing spot judging by the number of boats gathered off the southern end of Snake Island.

Rest Awhile - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

A kindly neighbour has placed a bench on their property for anyone passing to stop and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. When I see a bench with a vista such as this before it, I often come back to this thought…if you could sit on this seat and chat for one hour with anyone, past or present, who would it be? My answer is that the bench would be fully occupied and spill to the ground.

In Anticipation - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I’m a little early I know, but just on the off chance that there may be some ‘early birds’ I wanted to be ready for them. I have two hummingbird feeders this year. This one is on the back deck and the other one is in the same spot as last year, on the front porch.

I make my own syrup on a weekly basis throughout the year, changing it up at least twice a week depending on the temperature. If you are interested this is the recipe I use:

Refined white sugar

Boiled water

Directions:

DO NOT ADD RED DYE

Mix 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of boiled water until dissolved.

Fill clean feeders, fill about one third full and hang outside.

Extra syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Discard any unused nectar in the feeders every two or three days and clean the feeder each time to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.

Then sit back and wait patiently with your camera in hand…you are sure to be lucky!

Playtime - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I so enjoyed a couple of hours at the park with my grandchildren this afternoon. It was supposed to be dull and rainy according to the forecast but instead it was warm with a bit of sun peeping through and perfect for a wellie paddle in the lake.

On the way home we spotted some daffodils which instantly took me back to my childhood and love of the poem by William Wordsworth that my mum often recited when we came upon them. I didn’t begin a recitation for the boys as I couldn’t remember past the first few lines, but oh, what a lovely memory to visit.

“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not be but gay,
in such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”

William Wordsworth

A Spot of Colour - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I started to write my post today upon returning from my morning walk. Somehow it is now once again 5.00pm and this is me sitting down just now.

The grey cloudy sky has remained for today and I have a feeling it will continue for much of the week. I’m anxious to film some more jewellery tutorials for my YouTube project that I create for a large chain company…I totally love doing these but I like to film mostly in daylight with a little help from my photography lights and daylight seems to be in short supply.

Our neighbours along the road have put out their super colourful chairs on the boathouse roof for the season…a sure sign to jump start the season and brighten an otherwise dreich and drookit day.

Weather Event - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Today was a computer day and as such I’ve been working with my back to the lake for most of the day. When I finally turned around about 5.00pm this is what I was greeted with so I toddled off down to the lake for a breath of air and a couple of photographs.

Snake Island looked beautiful (well the treetops did) through the fog. Most of the horizon was lost to the mist and the incredible cloud formations. I don’t know enough about clouds to even hazard a guess as to what type they were. The billows were so well defined!

Dock Time - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

What a perfect spot to enjoy a little sunshine on this gorgeous day. Friends with docks…how lucky am I!

My friend had a purple martin house built last year by another of our friend’s further along the shore, whose houses you will have seen here before and will see again. So the houses are open now and ready for the early birds which we anticipate will start to arrive soon.

National Walking Day - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

This is such a wonderful place to call home and a perfect spot to celebrate National Walking Day! The temperatures reached about fifteen degrees celsius today and the sun was shining. The lake was calm and in places had massive flocks of ducks and loons congregating, seemingly deciding on a plan.

We had a little good news about the wee bird I took to the wildlife rescue on Sunday. It is a Song Sparrow and suffered spinal trauma according to the examination. They said he was still with us, but has a LONG way to go. Saying a little prayer and happy he got some help for a positive outcome…all creatures great and small.

Be Kind - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Be kind little goose, I won’t hurt you. It can be a challenge to let wildlife know that you just want to help. The vehicles often zip around the bends on our scenic route and they would be upon this beauty before it realized what was happening. It was having none of it and was hissing up a storm at me.

I’m waiting for news on a little house sparrow or finch I found in some undergrowth in the neighbours garden on Saturday at dusk. I actually thought it might have been a frog lolloping about. Sadly there was nothing I could do then to investigate further.

On Sunday, back out in the garden, its movement once again caught my I confirming it was indeed a small bird. The fact that it even survived a cold night with what looked like a broken tail was a miracle so I had to spring into action. With the only thing I could find being some burlap to help capture it without causing further distress, we managed to secure it after an hour or so of getting totally tangled up and deposit it into a small lidded box. It could still move quite quickly but could not get off the ground. A phone call later I was on my way to https://www.shadesofhope.ca/ about 30 mins further north of us. Fingers crossed, I hope it has survived and we’re patiently waiting for an update.

I ended up at a favourite mid-point of walk spot and hauled out a chair which had been stuck in the ice over the winter and had now been set free with the thaw. Timing was perfect for a town truck driving by that I was trying to wave down to see and take it. They didn’t stop so hopefully they’ll get it on the next pass and some silly person won’t chuck it back in the lake.

Then a little bit of sunshine at my friends house with some new pansies that need to recover from squirrels hiding their cache of goodies.

Hmmm - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I’m honestly not sure what to make of these…or the ‘Birks’ on the opposite side of this tree by the lake…hmmm…

SUNDAY SUNDAY - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

While the kettle was boiling for making the best cuppa of the day, I popped down to the dock to enjoy the frosty calm as the sun was rising through the mist.

Mornings like this always have a lovely ethereal light that I find totally enchanting. The dock boards were quite slippery so I navigated them slowly. Geese were calling, loons were skimming the mirrored surface of the lake. There is no better way to welcome a new day.

After posting yesterday, I wandered along to the dock as it looked like there would be a beautiful sunset. A number of other folk had the same idea. People are generally very considerate and everyone kept their distance on different docks. We were not disappointed, especially with the water being so calm. I couldn’t not share it with you.

The photograph below shows how the light is elevated in the north eastern sky as the sun was setting.

Spring Set-up - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I didn’t get any further than the front porch and the back garden today.

I’ve been itching to get the garden furniture out from under the tarps for weeks now. It was supposed to be coming out of a shed that we had hoped to build last year…but that didn’t happen, so we’re hoping for this year. I know it’s still a little early and that it will probably be covered in snow before long, but I feel better for having done it.

The wind is picking up and I’m sure precipitation of some kind is probably not far off. A lovely warm Easter weekend - not so far anyway.

April Ice brings May Flowers - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Chilly doesn’t even begin to describe the temperature today - but I braved a walk all the same. The wind was blowing a hoolie but the sun was shining.

I’m always in awe of the ice formations on the trees and shrubs along the lake shoreline. It’s especially apparent when the winds are strong.