THE INTRODUCTION...

Who needs techy stuff to amuse little kids

Charlie and Monty  meet  Charlie and Monty!!!

SLICK

The bears are out of hibernation and beginning to wander around.  Last year there was a small bear lurking around the neighbourhood and he has returned, and he is hungry.
 It is time to put away the bird feeders - we put ours away two days ago.  This bear is not afraid of humans which is really bad for him.  The MNR does not come around to trap them and relocate them anymore - we are pretty much on our own.
We are still working on our wood in the bush so we have to be aware of bears - better pack our bear spray today.

GOT WOOD?

Looks like a bunch of corks from up on top of the trailer - where I climbed to get those shots but unfortunately, they are not.  There sure is a lot of wood there and we still have 30 more logs to block - probably tomorrow.  I figure with the wood I have in my shed and the wood already split (in the middle picture to the left) and all the splitting left to do we have enough for about 3 years (for sure 2) but you always have to have a couple of years worth ready.  I wouldn't want to run out of wood in the middle of winter when it reaches -40!!!  After we are done blocking what's left, we have to bring the already split wood up to my wood shed and then we can begin splitting - my favourite part of doing wood.
It's hard work but soooooo worth it.

POOPSIE!!

She hasn't been around for over a week and, of course, I always think the worst.  But she always surprises me and shows up as tho nothing had happened.
She is looking so good and healthy - her coat is back to normal and her eyes are so bright.  Hard to believe this little fox was only days away from death last November.  Wild At Heart animal Sanctuary works miracles.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

Starting to show a little brotherly love already.  And on the verge of the first crawl.  They both have the idea but have yet to master the crawl.  I think they are just going to forgo the knee and scoot around on their hands and toes.
Love their little monkey toes!!

OPEN WATER

Finally getting to see the water after the nice days we have had.  Quite windy today that helped out the thawing process.

TIME TO DO THE WOOD

Spring time is wood time up North and we are hard at it.  We have a good routine that works for us.  I drive the tractor and Rejean hooks up the logs so that he doesn't have to bend over to block the logs with the chainsaw.  As you can see we still have a ways to go.  Best time to do it tho as there are no bugs!!!

WHAT'S GOING ON

It's Maple Syrup time up here in the North and they were brewing on Axe.  Roger, Arnold  and John and Buddie tapped a few maples and then boiled it down to get about 2 gallons at least.  You can see the results in the pictures - Buddie is guarding the merchandise.
Two proud brewmeisters !!

BOO BOO BURLEY IS MISSING

BooBoo has been missing since Monday.  I was out for a bit today looking for him.  He lives in Whancliffe and there is a lot of bush out there.  I took some pictures of the terrain he is lost in and also of the Mississaugi River at the Dam which is near his home.
Boo Boo is a Basset Hound and there are a lot of concerned people out looking for him.

Keep an eye out and we will hope for a happy homecoming...

WHO'S WHO?

I put them all on here and I was going to remove the ones that I didn't want on and leave the best one but I can't pick the ones that I don't want because I want them all.  There are no bad pictures of these little guys.
And by the way - Charlie is in the red and Monty is in the blue and I got it right the first time.  Confirmed by Jodie.

THE SCENIC ROUTE

Jason is able to take the short cut back to the bunkie but maybe not for long - it is supposed to go up to 15 degrees today - finally!!!

Better wear a life jacket from now on Jason - just in case...

ANNUAL OWL COUNT

Our annual Owl Count was held last - Ute, Mary, Ginny and myself started our evening with a delicious dinner at the Aubrey Falls Trading Post - under new management.  We split some crab cakes (delicious) and then we all had the fish soup.  It was served in a large bowl with a roll on the side and it was a meal in itself.  Rainbow trout and Alaskan pollack and tons of veggies.  Home made.
We had some time to kill so we travelled up the highway and stopped at a bridge and just enjoyed the scenery.
We play tape recorded owl calls and then see if any owls answer back.  There are 10 stops on our route and we heard wood cocks, Canada geese, robins and the occasional owl.  It is always a treat to hear the owl calls.  We had a couple of people slow down and ask if we needed any help.  I guess when you see 4 ladies by the side of the road by a stopped vehicle, the only polite thing to do is to stop.  We appreciated it tho.
The last stop is usually where we hear them but last nite we heard nothing - until all the other girls were in the car ready to go and I was just closing the back gate when I heard them - close and giving the "laugh" they give when they think they are going to get lucky.  I got the girls out and we enjoyed a couple more calls.
The last picture is of our treats - we never go hungry on these excursions.

It was a good nite!!

A SURE SIGN OF SPRING

You know it is spring time when all the trailers going up the highway are carrying four wheelers and not snow machines.  Speaking of which, we got ours out the other day.  I got to drive them both home up the highway and it was fun.

Can't wait to get a good ride in.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

Montgomery and Charles wishing everyone Happy Easter for me.

A LITTLE EASTER MOOSE

We were on our way into Thessalon for the benefit dinner when I noticed something in the road.  I slowed down and met this beast on the highway - just looking at us.  I happened to have my camera with me and Rejean got the shots.  He watched us for a moment or so then trotted into the bush and watched us some more.  I think it is one of the biggest moose I have seen up here and he looked nice and healthy.
Last we saw of him he had disappeared into the bush but what a sight to see.