TRACTORS, TURTLES AND BUTTERFLIES

 

Did a little road maintenance today at Hooverville, the boat launch just down the road.  There was a "ditch" that we filled in and also moved some gravel at the waters edge so that it was smoother to launch the boat.  Tons of butterflies were hanging around the water's edge.

We have been noticing some disturbance at the edge of our driveway and the hill leading down to the water.  We figured it was raccoons or the rabbits.  But lo and behold, it was a mother snapper laying her eggs.  I looked out the window and just happened to see her a few minutes ago.  She is a beauty.  You never see her in the lake.  We have really only seen her once when we had the basket of fish in the water off the dock and Marilou noticed her watching them.  They are in there but they keep to themselves thank goodness.  Maybe we will have baby snappers in a few months...

CRISPY

 

It has been a while since we have had any rain and there is now a fire ban throughout the area.  You can smell the dryness in the air.  When this happens, we get out the fire hose and hose down the bush around the house.  We have about 6 hoses and a water pump that sucks the water from the lake (and any little minnows that might happen to be swimming a little too close to the end of the hose).  We take turns holding the hose as it can get a bit heavy and hard to maneuver.  It was a beautiful day to get this done.  We also painted Rejean's wood shed.  Got a good picture of a butterfly on my flowers right outside my door.  

PERFECT DAY TO GET THE KAYAKS OUT

 

OK, I threw in a picture of the fish I caught yesterday on Tunnel.  It was a good morning fishing and everyone caught fish.

And I stopped and got a picture of a turtle basking in the sun in a swamp not far from here.  The turtles will soon be moving crossing the highway to get to the gravel to lay their eggs.  Be careful!!

And I got the kayaks out today and went for a little spin around the lake.  Saw a few big bass and a few beaver sticks.  It was a perfect day.  Topped it off with some poutine and an ice cream cone from the Post. Rick's last nite.  The guys will be watching Thor tonite.  I won't be!!

MORE FUN FISHING

 

Well threw in a couple of dragonfly pictures as they are very plentiful right now around here.  Just when the bugs can't get any worse, the dragonflies come out.  And they are everywhere.  So many different varieties as well.  They keep the black flies and mosquitos at bay.

We went out last night after dinner and fished the river.  You really had to work for them.  I had a good hit and then something (probably a nice pike) bit my line and took my hook and worm.  No time to set the hook.  Rejean got all three walleye last nite.  Some nice ones too.  They are all cleaned and in the freezer for a big birthday party in August for Rejean's Mom's 95 birthday party.  She likes our fish!

A WONDERFUL DAY

 

What an amazing day fishing!!  We loaded up the trailers with the quads and headed out to a spot not far from where we live.  It was a very ambitious trail to get to the spot and it took us about 45 minutes to get there   We haven't fished it in a while and the last time we never got anything.  It was cool, sunny and the bugs weren't bad.  Perfect.  We all caught fish.  We ended up with 12 between the three of us.  One rainbow and the rest were Brook Trout.  I got a beauty in a nice hole.  I never even knew I had him on.  The water was running very strong and my cast was retrieved and then hung up for a moment.  I looked down and saw a stick with a big square fish tail by it and I hoped it was on my line.  Rejean and I forgot our nets on the quad so we had to beach all our fish.  And with ultra light rods and only 6 pound test line it was tricky.  But I pulled that fish out of the water and onto the rocks with a cheer.  Got him!!  He was delicious!!!  It has been a long time since we had a nice Brook Trout dinner and some were left over for Rick to take home with him.  

STEALING STUFF

 I actually only stole the lilacs from an abandon house along the highway.  I love lilacs and they were just going to wilt on the big lilac bush so I stopped there today and grabbed a few branches.  They smell so fine!!!  I will enjoy them for a few days.

Got a picture of a mother Canada Goose and her kids in the Thessalon River.  The mom and dad both were giving me the evil eye so I made it quick.  I figured I could run faster than they could get up the bank so I was safe.

And passing the Tunnel Lake Trading Post I couldn't believe my eyes!!!  I don't think I have ever seen so many cars and people in the lot.  People were lined up to get inside.  Two big buses and about 5 trailers full of young people heading up the highway to somewhere.  With a lockdown in progress I don't know where they could have been going.  

HOLIDAY STUFF

 

My little chipmunk keeping an eye out for the little weasel that has been seen hanging around today.  Weasels hunt little rodents so he better keep a keen eye out for him.

My Testicle Plants are out!!!  They are actually Pink Lady's Slippers which is a member of the orchid family.  We have a lot around here.  Always a nice day when you see them.

Hit the Greenhouse today for my plants - $125 later!!!  Next year I will grow my own.  It is getting a bit expensive and the selection was not that great today.  Apparently everyone is gardening this year.  We have all our tomato and cucumber plants in front of our house like last year.  Only place that gets full sun and is close to a garden hose.  

Got our central air installed this week.  It has been cool so no need for it yet but I have a feeling that it will be a very hot and humid summer up here so we are prepared.  

We trimmed some small trees and bushes out front that was interfering with the view of the lake.  We left the majority up but now you can see the lake a little better.

Pictures of my red chairs with a new plant just because I think it is pretty.

Steve is on his way home tomorrow with these two beauties.  Steve has his own business, Flo Hardwoods where he makes custom dining tables, coffee tables, desks etc. out of beautiful pieces of wood.  He is always on the lookout for these driftwood root balls that he uses to create amazing coffee tables.  He found a couple and they fit into his trailer for the ride home.  Can't wait to see what he does with them.  Check out his website to see his past creations.