ICE ON THE MOVE - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I was walking by 8.00am today…and blimey, it was chilly. The roads were quite slippery due to a short burst of sleet activity just as I was about to set off. None of my walking companions were able to join me today. The sun was trying to peek through the heavy cloud cover, I think it’s probably going to be a relatively grey day once again. I did manage to get a few snaps of the ice floes starting to nudge into each other as the thaw builds momentum. There is an eerie noise created as the ice shifts and it will become more pronounced with the passing days.

Just as I was leaving this location I spotted this little guy in the snow. He is a woolly bear caterpillar, the larva of an Isabella tiger moth. I think he’s out and about a bit early yet though.

THIS AND THAT - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I just took a breath of fresh air late this afternoon, it felt good to get outside. I think tomorrow will be the last day of the really cold weather now, there will be just days here and there but no more of the long winter stretches…I hope.

I mentioned that I could here water running by the culvert the other day but couldn’t see it…now I can; all the bubbles you see are under the ice.

This old shack fascinates me, nobody uses it but it is on someone’s property. I’m surprised it didn’t blow down in the strong winds last week. I suppose some things are built to withstand that onslaught, but how, I have no idea.

FREEZE OR THAW - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I wrapped up well for my walk this morning…the first ‘proper’ one in a week. A few flakes of snow were in the air, but that didn’t deter me. The road was surprisingly busy with vehicular traffic and all appeared to be in a hurry. It can be pretty tricky to step to the side especially with the snowbanks, gravel and mud. I wonder what is SO important that the 30 KM/H signs are out of the window…hmm, they are missing such gorgeous vistas.

The ice is starting to break apart in a number of places along the shore. It makes the lakescape so interesting at this time in the season as this starts to happen. A change from the vast flat whiteness of a frozen lake.

There are still may fish huts dotted about that look especially close to some of the cracks. It seems like a risk I certainly wouldn’t be willing to take.

The water in some of these crevasse type gaps is the most beautiful shade of turquoise when the light is just right as it has been for the past couple of days. Not so much today, but I did want to add a shot here from last night…a turquoise sunset.

A LITTLE COLOUR TONIGHT - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

At this time of year I feel as if many of my photographs are very monochromatic. Grey days roll into grey weeks, so it was lovely to be driving home this evening as the sun was setting at a different part of the lake. It has once again been a bitterly cold day, but these images make up for it I think.

Welcome - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

This front door belongs to one our our neighbours…I think it’s my absolute favourite in these parts. It is just so charming and certainly extends a warm WELCOME. I think it might perhaps be time to take down this wreath, I’m sure a Spring one will be placed any day now. Which reminds me, I’m on the look out for door decorations myself. Our front door is a lovely beachy blue against the sand coloured stone of the house. I have an idea in mind so either I’ll have to find it or make it.

WALKING - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I managed to enjoy two decent walks today. The blister on my heel which had been preventing me from venturing very far, is now on the mend. It was relatively mild and the birds definitely believe that Spring is in the air I think. There are still plenty of fish huts and a hive of activity out on the ice today. I suppose being a year into this global pandemic has left many people either out of work, working from home or on adjusted work hours, hence more people about and from what I could tell, being responsible enough to maintain social distance protocols.

A few weeks ago I posted about this culvert, today it was most eerie. It all looks frozen enough but the sound of rushing water beneath the ice belies the reality. There is a definite thaw going on right here.

Returning back to the house I heard a familiar knocking sound nearby. It’s usually just a case of standing still for a moment and then following the noise…to a tree that had snapped in half during the winds the other day. It seems a Pileated Woodpecker had happened upon a feast at the break-point of the tree trunk.

Cool but Calm - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

The wind dropped considerably today, but there was still a biting chill in the air. The day was marked with tree company trucks driving around our neighbourhood and chippers sounding the toll for the fallen. Our driveway was strewn with lots of twigs and small branches from the winds yesterday, and they had to be lifted in the event of more snow heading our way…twigs and snowblowers are not a good combination!

Once again, as I walked over to pick up the post, the fish huts are being towed back to shore for the night. It looks like such fun to ride these four-wheeler vehicles.

Gale force winds - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I’ve been inside all day today and with good reason. The winds have been downright dangerous. I did try to pick up the post a short while ago but decided to turn back. There are a lot of old trees in these parts and I don’t trust that they will remain vertical.

The photograph below is me almost making it to the dock…

I couldn’t even see the lake.

Dreich and Drookit - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Well it has been, as we say in Scotland, a dreich and drookit day! These two, probably unfamiliar words to you, basically mean dull, grey and wet. Dawn broke with a thick fog enveloping the lake and the sun desperately trying to make an appearance through the thick cloud cover as it rose into the sky. I had to go out and collect some eggs first thing, so when I returned home I popped down to the dock as I was quite certain that I wouldn’t make it there for the rest of the day.

The fish huts were heading out once again and carefully navigating some rather large looking puddles. At least it really wasn’t the cold that we’re heading into again for the next number of days.

There has been little excitement with the light today…just plain grey and somewhat uninspiring. We still have quite a lot of snow on the ground although roads are clear. This is one of a neighbours’ chairs that appears to be blooming where it was planted last summer…patiently waiting for Spring.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time trying to teach myself new design application programmes over the past couple of months. I’m finally starting to enjoy and feel a little more confident with what I’m able to create now…a long journey still lies before me. This is an idea for my new logo…perhaps…

GUILTY NOT GUILTY - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Today was one of those days. It started of with large fluffy white snowflakes falling from the sky as if a feather pillow had burst. The snow moon from last night was spot on! It only ended up snowing for a few hours but it was quite sloshy so I really didn’t feel like getting soaked on my walk today with the vehicles traveling along the road. It’s pretty hard to dodge the splashing created by the huge puddles.

I feel as if I did almost nothing today apart from a little housework and a couple of sewing bits that needed attention. I literally always feel so guilty when these days come my way…but I was reassured by my other half that I had no reason to feel this way…so, guilty, not guilty.

I headed down to the dock just before the sun set tonight to capture a couple of photographs.

I noticed tonight how the sunset was reflecting off the side panel of this fish hut that had been brought back for the night…I’m always SO aware of the light at this time. Then along came some fishers heading in the the night too.

Full Moon - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

Just as the sun was setting, a beautiful full moon, was rising large and high in the eastern sky tonight. In actual fact the ‘Snow Moon’ will be full and at its peak during the early hours of tomorrow morning. It’s known as the Snow Moon due to typically heavy snowfalls that often happen during February, just when we think we might be in for a bit of a thaw and reprieve from a long winter.

There are numerous alternative names for this month’s full moon, including those that have historically had a connection to animals. The Cree traditionally called this the Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon. The Ojibwe Bear Moon and certain Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon.

I always find it incredibly challenging to capture the moon with my phone…it never does it justice, I’ll have to try and find a solution.

The lights on the dock came on at 6.20pm, the days are slowly becoming longer and are always welcomed when I start to notice this happen.

There’s a definite slush to the ice over the past couple of days. I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about right now as the fish huts are still being towed out, but it does give me cause for some caution, so I’ll be staying off until it gets freezing cold again…and I know it will.

Service with a smile - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I wasn’t able to walk today on account of a pretty bad blister on one of my heels, but I did manage to hobble down to the dock on my way to pick up the post this afternoon…just in time to see this loo being towed out to a fish hut community. I’ve never seen this before, but I have to say I’ve sometimes wondered what one might do if one was in a ‘predicament’ out on the ice. Now I know.

Undecided - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I was undecided whether to walk this morning or not. Even with nature’s glory all around me, by this point in the winter I honestly find it hard to get motivated for much of anything, let alone getting wrapped up in all the clobber to take a walk.

During contemplation of my options this morning, my text bell went off and my friend said she would be leaving her home shortly, did I want to walk? Decision made!

I’m so glad I decided to walk and have a blether with a good friend…that’s what friends are for.

On LOCATION - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

A hive of activity on this little section of the lake today and for a few days to come, I gather. A film crew is in town filming a kite boarding episode for a show. Seeing a lot of standing around and set ups being created brought back a flood of memories from over thirty (blimey) years ago.

In another lifetime I dabbled in ‘pictures’ as an extra and print model. My main claim to fame for the films was one of the Police Academy movies which I was shooting for six weeks during which time I managed to get married but wasn’t released from filming to go on a honeymoon. It was such a fun time even though there were long boring stretches. I thought I made a pretty convincing looking U.S. police officer!

Missed Yesterday - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I missed posting yesterday. I had this photograph ready of the fish huts coming back in for the night. I’d been busy all day filming, editing and uploading tutorials…the day got away from me.

It’s been a dreich day here. Snow has filled the grey skies today but didn’t really result in any accumulation, but I think that’s coming later tonight. We have quite a lot of snow here now and I’m pretty tired of shoveling now. I’m just back from the dock and now that I’ve uploaded the photographs, I see I was set on ‘square’ instead of landscape; I thought it looked a little odd…hmmmph! Anyway, here are a couple.

Quiet Contemplation - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

My head has been all over the place for the past few days having lost two friends on different continents under different circumstances, within a day of each other. I just needed to take a breath on the lake as the sun was setting tonight. I will miss you my faraway friends…may your spirits soar free!

Too Deep - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I set off onto the lake with good intentions of taking some shoreline shots this afternoon…it was not to be…the snow was too deep.

I struggled to manage to make it twenty feet off shore. I don’t think even my snowshoes would have been much help today. Drifts were almost three feet deep in places, I suppose it all blew off the docks!

So I returned home until another time.

A Gate or two - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I’ve felt a sadness today as I mourn the loss of a friend in Australia, who passed away yesterday after inspiring me with her courage. As creatives we shared our passion and as grandmother’s, we understood each other’s immense love for our families and the wee ones that bring us such joy. This brought my attention to the little sparrow from my post yesterday…I can’t help but think. My friend, your spirit is now free to soar to the highest heights, free from pain and knowing that you made your days on this earth count in every way and that you were loved…I will miss you.

I find my love for gates can be a comfort at difficult times. I feel they are a metaphor for times of transition in our lives, whether that is a new job, life circumstance or the passing of a loved one. Sometimes there are paths we must take in life unsure of where they may lead and we often have to pass through a ‘gate’ to realize what lies beyond. I’ve never of visualized the gates I come across with any sort of foreboding; in fact quite the opposite. We rely on our courage, curiosity and faith to walk the path and pass through the gate…I believe we can embrace what we find.

Renewal - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

I was devastated this morning when we pulled open our front blinds to find this beautiful little house sparrow upside down in the snow on our porch. I can’t imagine for the life of me how this poor creature ended up in such a predicament. I decided to pick it up with a spade and take it into a far corner of the back garden and place it under the cedar boughs and a pile of snow so that it will be returned to the earth in time. I couldn’t stand the thought of double bagging it and putting it out with the rubbish.

I then got to thinking about birds in folklore and different cultures. It seems that traditionally, the death of a bird is a sign of new beginnings, an omen of renewal. There are lots of varying thoughts, but I like this one the best.

These birch branches, from an old dead tree that our neighbour took down in the late Fall were saved and going to become part of my winter planters this year. The planters froze before I had a chance to get them installed. Birch trees are my favourite and I just loved the way these birch poles are lying quietly covered in a dusting of snow in a sheltered spot until they can become part of the garden again.

Hearts are another favourite symbol. I know you’ve seen my ‘love is in the tree’ before but it seemed fitting to take a photograph of it once again today in memory of my ‘wee speug’ friend that died today, rest in love little birdie.

Snow Time - A LAKE FOR ALL SEASONS

We received almost ten inches of snow last night…enough said!