That time when you have second thoughts about standing directly underneath your neighbours’ four feet long icicles.
BE MY VALENTINE - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
What a gorgeous day to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the love of the natural beauty that surrounds us here at the lake. My Valentine and I headed out onto the frozen lake this morning to enjoy the sunshine and I made this quick 360 degree video…don’t get dizzy!
We walked out to the halfway point between our shore and Snake Island following in the tracks left by some ice fishing sledges. It certainly makes for a little easier walking when you follow these.
The small lane-way to our beach is always so picturesque when there is fresh snow. The plants and homes always look SO pretty.
Just as we stepped onto the ice…I couldn’t resist…
Happy heart day everyone! xxx
WALKING ON WATER - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I really wanted to make the effort to get out for a bit of a walk this afternoon and get some fresh air. So I bundled up; snow pants and all and set off. I decided I’d walk about half a mile to another public dock to access the lake and then walk back on the lake, so that’s exactly what I did.
There are two old wheels that are propped up against a fence. This is the better looking of the two and I often wonder what their story is. I think I know someone I can ask which is what I’ll do next time I see him.
I continued on to the dock and stepped down onto the ice. I’m still a bit nervous but there were a few people around that I figured would come to my aide if something untoward was to happen. There were a lot of fish huts installed for the day and more further up along the horizon nearer Georgina Island where the water is much deeper.
When we first moved here to the lake it took me a while to figure out why there were little trees ‘growing’ up through the ice…now I know!
I’ve often wanted to take a photograph of this old boat lift from the water as I see it when I’m passing along on the road above. For some reason it just fascinates me. I also love the weather vane on the top of one of the pipes. I think I have another question for the chap that might know something about the wheel.
Polar Vortex - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I managed one photograph today because it has been just too cold to be outside for any length of time. Ontario and much of Canada is sitting under a polar vortex which will hopefully be on its way next week. I’ve been taking plenty of photographs inside of late with a new venture I’m involved with as a freelance content creator for YouTube video jewellery tutorials. It’s a ton of fun and a massive learning curve but I’m REALLY enjoying the challenge. If the weather continues on like this I’ll be sharing these videos perhaps.
So here is my offering for today. The fish huts are starting to return for the evening, this one waiting for its tow to get up the launch.
Fish Huts on Friday - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
Well technically it’s only Thursday, but this part of the fishing season officially kicks off tomorrow as the ice is now deemed safe. As I’ve mentioned before, these are the guys that I trust to be the best judge of ice conditions and allow me to feel more confident in venturing out a little further myself when snowshoeing over to the island or following the shore. Fish huts have to be removed from the ice by various dates depending on the area, but I would think this part of the fishing season for these huts has a four to six week window, so for sure they are off by mid to the end of March.
I understand that this area of the lake is famous for rather large perch and pike…one of the reasons I don’t like to swim in lake water! Deeper waters off the northern end of Snake Island are, I hear, excellent locations for whitefish and lake trout. I’ve not actually been inside an ice hut but I gather they are insulated and heated with seating for four to six fishers. They look a whole lot more comfortable and substantial than the popular upturned bucket.
As this hut was guided down the launch onto the ice this morning, there was a familiar ‘groan’ with the weight. Did you know that clear blue ice is the strongest, white or opaque ice is much weaker and you should stay away from ice that looks crackled which is common during thaws?
Here they are in place for the day in the photograph below. Hopefully everyone will stay safe with ice conditions and Covid protocols in place and if ice fishing is your thing…have a FAB time!
Docks on DRY LAND - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I often think that the shores of the lake look a little sad in winter with the austere looking structures of the docks and boat lifts having been removed from the water. I think seeing them in dry dock so to speak, they bring a longing for the warm lazy days of summer when children are running and jumping off the ends of them into the cool water. Adirondack chairs beckon for someone to sit and rest awhile to enjoy nature’s beauty. At least we’re now on the right side of winter I think…summer days are coming, well Spring is first.
Frosty Morn - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I am quite enjoying these early morning walk, although I do enjoy them more in the warmer weather I have to say. Today was one of those frosty mornings that you would expect to experience in the early Spring or Fall rather than when there is snow on the ground. There was a little fog which created a beautiful light over the lake. I love really foggy days by the water, I suppose I could be called a nebulophile.
Some of the fences along this stretch of my walk have little decorative grates or grills set into the wooden boards; this is one of my favourites to peek through as I pass by.
Rise and Shine - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
Up and out by 7.00am again this morning. The temps were about -18 degrees celsius with the windchill. I tried to cover most of my face and nose as I’m sure they would have suffered a touch of frostbite. I couldn’t get to a location where I could get a full sky view, that wasn’t obscured by homes. The red and orange sunrise remained low in the sky until it faded…but my goodness it was vibrant!
FREEZING COLD SUNDAY - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I had to run a few messages (errands) today and then continue on with work I started yesterday. So it was another mainly indoor day, but I did manage a quick five minutes out on the ice. It was a gazillion degrees below zero and my fully charged phone battery lasted all of four minutes…just about enough time to capture a couple of shots as the sun was setting.
I took a wee video here as the wind was blowing the snow over the surface…incredibly beautiful and worth the frostbitten fingers, unfortunately I can’t upload it for some reason so I’ll try and post it at another time.
SNOWSHOEING - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I thought about snowshoeing today but then that thought soon passed. It was freezing cold, very windy and truth be told I’m engrossed in a new creative project. I didn’t even make it out for my proper walk today but I did venture down to the dock just now to snap a couple of photographs out on the ice as the sun was going down behind the pillowy clouds.
It turns out that someone had the same thought about snowshoeing, the difference is that they did it. If you look very carefully to the left of the flag on the ice rink below you will see a figure dashing through the snow on her snowshoes!
BLOWING A HOOLIE - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
My hunch was right, it snowed! I think we received a little more than I saw was called for on the forecast last night and it was ‘blowing a hoolie’ as I set off for my walk early this morning. There was no beautiful sunrise this morning, just a white sky. Trees and various structures dotting the lake shore were in stark contrast to the sky, silhouettes really. The wind was howling in the trees creating a very eerie loud noise. This tiny leaf, only one inch across, was being launched along the surface of the snow with incredible force. It looked perfect each time it rested for a second on its journey to who knows where.
I find this gate is a very inviting structure beckoning one to enter, though not a particularly wise option at the moment. This dock is in the midst of renovations and so it is basically a gate to nowhere but whatever might be in your imagination.
The wind continued to blow. The fishers were sitting out on their upturned buckets, some trying to get their little huts erected another running a few hundred feet over the ice trying to chase down and eventually secure part of a tent that was blowing away. It took me almost an hour to complete my walk, but it was a little easier on the way home with the wind at my back. I’m not sure it’s going to be much better tomorrow.
Pink Sky in the Morning - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
Another calm and beautiful start to the day. I know the old saying, ‘pink sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning (as opposed to sailor’s warning - we’re from generations of farmers), is supposed to hold us in fear of poor weather for the day. I’m here to tell you it was wonderful, even getting up to a balmy six degrees celsius!
I was half thinking that we might also have a glorious sunset, but then the clouds started to come in and the sun was gone. I love the way the clouds formed in the sky tonight and just with a hint of pink. I think those clouds may be holding something else in store for us over the next couple of days…hmmm!
Sunrise in a western sky - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
It is so beautiful when the light from the sunrise reacts in the western sky. The moon was still high and visible as the sun was coming up and this alpenglow was such a breathtaking sight as I walked along the shore.
I was down at the bay for another walk with the wee laddie this afternoon. Another one of those days when you just have to keep moving…but it was bright again. It’s hard to imagine just how much spirits are lifted in the depths of winter when there is a little sunshine.
This tree is probably my favourite one in the areas I frequent. I adore its shape and the shade it’s provided over the many years. Sadly I fear this year may be its final winter, there was not much ‘leafing’ this past summer and many totally bare branches. That’s the thing about winter I suppose, during this season you would never know what this beautiful old tree is hiding.
The wee laddie spent a fun time hurtling down a slope with his sledge. It’s fun to see his confidence building in his skill abilities. After a while we thought we’d go hunting for big blocks of ice to drag home in the sledge…we found a few! I think they are from the ice monk activities.
We couldn’t forget to check on the little ice rink that the wee laddie’s dad and some of the neighbours have been creating by their beach. Buck had very kindly cleaned the surface with his ATV and plough while we watched…what great neighbours! Everything was looking good.
Chilly but Bright - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I went for another early walk this morning. I have a new project that I’m in the planning stages with and it started today. I’m super excited and consequently extremely busy for the next few months, so think I’m going to try this strategy a little more often now that we’re not getting up in the dark any more. It was bitterly cold, but that’s O.K. as I could see it was going to be a chilly but bright day.
I always hear the black capped chickadees and cardinals tweeting away, especially in one particular area over the past months, but today I was excited to hear my first American robin in ages bursting into full song. It was sitting high up in tree so as I’m only using my phone camera for this project, it would be pretty pointless posting the photograph I took…rather like my eagle ones, but trust me the song was enchanting!
I pootled along to see the wee laddie and the bairn for a walk to the park this afternoon. There is always a pretty stiff breeze that comes off the lake in that location so we have to keep moving. There were a large number of kite borders out catching the wind. The sky is just a mass of colourful sails when they’re all in flight.
The wee laddie was busy collecting chunks of ice that he was going to pull home on his sledge; for what I’m not sure, neither was he. But one of the chunks became my photograph for today…slow day!
HELLO FEBRUARY - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I awoke earlier this morning for some reason…perhaps because it is the dawn of a new month and now closer to Spring. I thought I’d take advantage and walk earlier today. I was on my way in time to see the sunrise at 07.35.
I began at the public dock, standing in the stillness with my daily affirmation, ‘I am filled with gratitude for this new day and all it will hold.’ The pink on the horizon was a little like the ‘Belt of Venus’ phenomenon, I was missing the blue line just beneath the pink though, either way it was a beautiful sight.
As I walked further along I was greeted by various folk taking out their recycling bins ready for collection. The ‘green truck man’ offered his usual wave, squirrels were scampering about in the branches above my head and a ‘fisher’ was heading out onto the ice with his rod, bucket and drill to catch tonight’s dinner.
There is an open field towards the end of the halfway point on this route and it is a perfect spot to catch the sun launching into the sky. Judging by the various paw-prints in the snow, it seems that it was probably an active night for the critters going about their business.
Seeing these teasel heads brought back many childhood memories. My mum always kept one or two dried arrangements in our home and these ‘pricklies’ were always included. I wonder if it’s because they were once grown in the area I grew up in and used in industry. I was born in Derbyshire, England and that was known for its textile manufacturing with wool, cotton and silk mills. Teasels were originally used to ‘tease’ or brush the woven woolen cloth therefore raising the surface fibres – the nap. The uneven nap was then cropped with shears to produce a fine, smooth surface. The teasels were superseded with the gig mill during the industrial revolution allowing the teasels to be returned to lowly dried flower arrangements.
Well, it was too bitterly cold to wait in this spot for more than the ten minutes I was there to watch the sun climb higher, so I began my return to the house. I’m so glad I made the effort to wrap up and get into the biting cold air early this morning. Even though it wasn’t one of those stonking sky-fire sunrises, it had a beauty all of it’s own.
It happens every year - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
People are so anxious to get out on the ice…but not just walking, which I think if you stay about 15 feet from the shore and use some common sense you’re probably all good. I heard yesterday that three vehicles went through the ice about 8 kilometers along the shore from us in the bay. I’m not sure if it was on our side of the lake or the opposite one. Come on people…a lot of areas have only had the surface covered for a week so the ice can’t be more than a couple of inches thick. As I mentioned in a few previous posts, many little tent-type fishing huts are out and a lot of people are venturing hundreds of feet off shore. I have not seen one commercial fishing hut operator open for business yet, and with good reason! These operators are my signal that it’s safe to venture a little further. So until I see them with the huts in tow, I’ll wait. Luckily no one was hurt this time to my knowledge, but consider the danger rescue workers are placed in when people make a poor judgement call, and sadly it happens every year.
On a lighter note, the rink by us had a few neighbours playing a bit of socially distanced hockey this afternoon. Still so typically Canadian even during these trying times. It was good to see but I wouldn’t take a chance on getting any closer.
As I continued on my walk a little further it was great to see these kayaks stacked for winter storage, just waiting for the big thaw…a welcome juxtaposition. I love the contrast of the bright colours with the snow.
on ice - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
What an amazing day to be outside today! This was another one of those days I live for as we navigate our way through Winter.
I was a little later setting off for my walk this morning but timed it to catch up with one of my lovely friends. It’s always good to have some company and she is very good at stopping while I snap away. This first photograph is of her hubby’s little shed on the shore. I love the rustic feel of the weathered wood and how the light catches its surfaces with the rising sun.
I’ve been inside for most of the day trying to sort my computer issue from the other day…I’m confident is fixed now and just in time, as I have some exciting freelance video work that I will hopefully begin next week. I popped down to the dock for a little fresh air as the sun was going down. Quite a few other folk had the same idea, it does the soul good to close the day in nature’s beauty.
I love the simplicity of this shot. I’m standing on the lake and the lensball is balanced on the dock. I met a lovely couple who were flying a drone…that’s my next photography adventure. It was super to chat and share some great information.
This is our local ice rink that almost rivals Buck’s from the other day. I’m almost tempted to try skating again…almost, I think the red Adirondack chairs along the side are probably more my speed.
Better late than never - A lake for all seasons
I promised myself that I would try to write a little bit in my journal each day and for January so far, I’ve managed to do so. I’m late in posting tonight as I’ve been having some computer issues for the past couple of days in that I’m currently unable to edit photographs that I’d like to post. I honestly don’t do much in the way of edits other than leveling the horizon.
So here is my little offering for today. After playing at the park again this afternoon on yet another -22F (with the wind chill) day, I coaxed the wee laddie onto the lake for our walk home, only he would get to take a ride on his sledge (poor Gran).
The lake was super busy with a lot of ice ‘fisherpersons’ either sitting on their upturned buckets or in the shelter of collapsible huts, kite surfers, wind surfers, snowmobilers, ATV’s, bikes, dog walkers, hockey players, etc. Perhaps everybody decided to take a TGIF.
This first photograph is where we stepped onto the lake. You’ll see that I take a lot of pictures of these particular grasses at different times of the year.
It was not easy pulling the sledge with this wee one dragging his hands in the snow to slow us down…he had a big smile on his face knowing that I hadn’t realized the reason for my expending so much energy and not getting anywhere at any rate of speed.
And this is Buck’s ice rink, an absolute masterpiece! It looks to be about the size of an actual indoor rink and is so smooth and totally ‘zambonied’ - if that’s even a word. Apparently the lake rinks created by residents along the shore are for everyone’s enjoyment, it’s just ettiquette to shovel and use them respectfully. This one however I’m sure has to win the prize for the most sought after one to skate on.
ICY SUN-CATCHERS - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
I can’t tell you how much fun I have with the wee laddie when we craft together. It’s been more of a challenge recently to find fun activities to do outside, especially when it’s so freezing cold. During his young life I’ve always tried to encourage his awareness of nature on our many adventures and to nurture his appreciation of the incredible environs of the lake that he is blessed to call home.
I showed up at his house yesterday with trays and string, ready to go foraging at the park or along the shore for some interesting bits and bobs that we could use to make an ice sun-catcher. It turned out that this was perfect timing for this little project as it actually coincided with one of his online schooling assignments for this week.
We tried to collect items with different textures and colours, talked about seeds and how the wind carries them. He also thought it would be nice to make one for his baby brother, carefully arranging the treasures. Then of course the fun bit, ‘carefully’ adding the water.
It was great to see him using his observational skills of ‘sink’ or ‘float’…a game we play in the summer when finding little things like twigs, leaves or shells and hypothesize the outcome when they are thrown into the lake.
Here they are this afternoon, covered in snow. Hopefully there will be a little sunshine tomorrow to see the final result.
SIT AWHILE - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS
This bench is in the perfect spot to take time to sit awhile and absorb the quiet magnificence of a frozen lake. It was an absolutely breathtaking morning with a glorious blue sky and the sun trying to warm the ground through the freezing temperature.
Those are my footprints behind the bench where I walked over the linear shadows cast by the snow fence. I’m sure the footprints in front were probably a fox or perhaps a racoon and had woven their way over the snow covered icy rocks. I love days like this with fresh snow and sunshine…one of those days when I think winter isn’t all that bad.
