8 Points for Brian, a Partial Score...

Undaunted by the rain showers we had today, Brian and David went exploring in the woods. They do this from time to time, on the 600 acres wilderness that is part of Bondi, checking out possible new ski or snowshoe trails, scoping out the wildlife (this is how they found the wolf den, for example) and generally just beating about the bush.

They almost always find something of interest to drag home with them. Brian, in particular, has a knack of bringing back "cool stuff" from all of his excursions, be they in the woods or to the local dump. It is a topic his wife prefers not be deeply explored...

When he pulled up outside my door and tooted the truck horn to get my attention, I didn't know what to expect. And I certainly didn't expect what the boys had found. The truck was decked out like a Texas Red-neck special.

This is the skull of an 8 point buck, who evidently got on the wrong side of the local wolf pack this winter.

If you can get past the "eeeeww!" factor, it's really quite fascinating. The enormous eye sockets, nasal bones, upper jaw teeth, antler attachments and even the ear canals are easily identified. It's not that common to find bones, and especially antlers -- being rich in calcium, they disappear very quickly into the tummies of porcupines, mice and other scavengers that know the importance of strong bones. This specimen is pretty impressive, and an interesting reminder of how Nature cycles, and re-cycles. It's also a reminder that even on a drizzly day, a walk in the woods is worth taking.

Making an Easter Splash.

Thanks so much, Abe, for sharing these photos of the boys!

Their faces tell the story! Spencer and Windsor took to the lake when they were here on the Easter weekend.

Nor was this just a swift jump-in, jump-out... the boys spent a lot of time racing each other in the shallow waters.

They also enjoyed conversing with the chickens, and collecting the eggs (green shelled eggs, for Easter). A day in Algonquin Park was also on their agenda, and lots of hiking along our own trails. Abe reported that there was actually more wildlife to be found here than in the Park on the weekend.

This has been one of the very earliest of springs, with the ice coming off the lake 3rd (in our bay). Fire hazard was extreme -- in fact there was a small forest fire at Bala, most likely started by a spark along the train tracks. But even if it has been hot and dry, and the ice is gone, it's still not summer. Shallow water -- as the boys have proved here -- is just fine.

Take care, people, if you are out in canoes, kayaks, boats. The deep water is still cold.

The Woodpecker's Tongue

The loons are back. And two nights ago I heard the wolf pack singing down the moon. Our first tree swallow showed up -- he's a full 18 days earlier than expected.

Up on the hill today, walking to where the solar installation will be, I found a huge pileated woodpecker tree. The woodpeckers stay with us all winter long.

The size of the woodchips these birds bang out are quite impressive. Ever wonder why they don't just fall off the tree with a concussion? They are so well adapted to the task. With beaks that are so hard they rival iron, thick spongy skull bones and a rather small brain that floats in cerebral fluids rather than being encased in fluid, they are well set-up to transfer the shock of striking the tree away from the brain. In fact, woodpecker skulls get studied by the fine folks who build better helmets for you and I.

The woodpecker has a secret weapon, however. They possess very long tongues -- a necessary tool, since when you start knocking on the door, the insects in the wood don't come to open it up. Rather, they hightail it deeper into the tree, and the woodpecker has to fish them out with his long, sticky tongue. And it is Long. Some woodpeckers have tongues that are three times as long as their beaks. They are sticky, with a barb on the end much like a fish hook, to help out. That tongue, however, is too long to fit comfortably in the narrow neck of a woodpecker. What to do?

The birds solve the problem very neatly -- while adding an extra layer of shock absorption to their head banging activities. The tongue actually wraps over the top of the bird's skull, fastening into the eye socket. Which means that if a woodpecker has something on his mind, it is probably his tongue...

Bring the Sun

Today was another glorious spring day, after high winds last night that knocked out the hydro right about the time smart folk were headed to bed anyway.

Today was just spectacular. There is something to be said for Spring Sunshine. Perhaps its all that Vitamin D streaming down on us.

Brian and David took advantage of the weather to work on the installation preparation for the solar array that we will be bringing on-line this spring.

Having cleared the area and removed the topsoil, today the lads were completing the ceremonial installation of the sono-tubes. These will be filled with cement, to a depth of 8' and the solar panels will then be attached to them.

This particular piece of property gets sunshine from sun-up until sunset - it's an ideal location. It's getting exciting now that we can see the project begin to take shape!

A bit of a change from Walking the Dog

Krysti usually has a mitfull of mutts about here when she's walking -- she has three lovely dogs at home.

When she stopped by today to say hello, she arrived just in time to get a lesson on Long Reining -- which is what horses/ponies have to learn before they get hitched to a cart of sleigh.

It's a great way to get exercise -- for both parties! She and Squeegee went for a tour of the property, and both get gold stars for their homework!

Now, if we can just find a very small pony cart, we'll be set to go with the Ultimate Hybrid! What David calls "Squeeg-Power".

Spring Flowers, No Fooling

Carol's Lenten Rose is in full, glorious bloom, just in time for April 1st.

The daffodils and iris are all poking their leaves up through the soil -- Carol and Sue have been busy this week in the gardens, taking advantage of the weather.

Along the road, there are plenty of pussy willows in bloom. Our good friend Kate, when she was very young, used to call them "Frilly Willows" -- a young slip of the tongue that we think is perfect.

Spring is all around us. We don't have many guests this weekend, but Spencer and Windsor enjoyed collecting eggs today, dabbling in the lake (surprisingly warm in the shallows by the main dock, even if there is ice still on the far shore!)

And David only got Nancy once with an April fools' prank...

Ice is Nice, but Temporary

In fact, ice is fascinating. Watching winter leave the lake, that is a wonderful experience. Every day -- in fact every hour -- the lake changes. Wind pushes the ice from shore to shore, jostling the crystals together until they ring like wind chimes.

Now, in the face of this 21 degree weather, the ice is retreating fast. Yesterday Brian and Dave put the boat in the lake, and roamed out around the ice flows. No polar bears were reported... and parts of the lake are still jammed full, but the lads were able to circle Fire Island. This early boat ride is one of our family rituals, a short of Hail to Spring excursion.

Along the shoreline, the delicate ice that formed during the overnight freeze has piled up into miniature pressure ridges. It won't last long.

In the boathouse, where the roof holds back the sun, the water is still frozen, all the way to the bottom.

The air bubbles frozen into the ice provide intricate and beautiful patterns that take your breath away.

It's the beginning of the Easter Weekend in Muskoka... and it coincides with some very warm weather. The lakes are still too cold for safe sports, but the woods are great. We're well ahead of the biting flies, and beauty is everywhere.

What are you waiting for? Get out of town!

We've got amazing Super Spring Specials -- $500 for 3 nights, 4 people... $600 for 3 nights, 6 people. Great deals for Seniors and Couples'.