Flight School

Our barn swallows hopped out of the nest and into the sky today!  All three of them have made to this point, and are looking lovely, although it is true that they are still working out how to get their feathers to stay in place.

And don't get in their way when they fly. Turning and altitude adjustment are still a bit wobbly.

Mom and Dad are hunting hard for them. Insects and caterpillars are the favoured menu items.

Go with the Flow

Dave and Megan spent a gloriously sunny afternoon canoeing down the Oxtongue River last weekend.





This is a beautiful river, with virtually no development along the shoreline, and plenty of spots for wildlife and birds to hang out.

We have an access point at the end of one of our hiking trails, where we can put in a canoe, or kayak.  It is a short paddle upstream to the base of Marsh's Falls -- the only section where you paddle against the current.  From the Falls, it is all downstream, all flat water, all good.

Upstream of Marsh's Falls, it is a bit of a different tale. This river starts in Algonquin Park, spilling over the Tea Lake Dam.  There are large stretches of the river that make a wonderful day's outing starting close to Tea Lake.

 Working it's way down to the Lake of Bays, it plunges over Ragged Falls,  This is one of our smallest Provincial Parks, but well worth the visit. There are over 9 distinct forest communities in this compact space, along with the most dramatic of waterfalls and plunge basins.  Canoes can put in at Oxtongue Lake and paddle upstream to the base of Ragged Falls,

Still not done with descent, the river comes through the Hog's Trough narrows, and the Oxtongue River Rapids -- the site of a beautiful picnic area and a favourite year round with artists. 

Elbow Falls, which takes its name from it's 90 degree angle (not recommended for trying to run the falls... truly not recommended) is the last of the waterfalls before it reaches Marsh's Falls.

The lower portion of the river is designated as an Heritage area by the Township.  After the quiet paddle downstream, you have the option of following the shore to Thompson's Portage, carrying across this narrow isthmus and returning to Bondi Village Resort; or paddling up to Dwight Beach, and calling us for pick-up... 

This river trip is a favourite experience for many of our guests. Thanks Megan for the photos from your day!