Just breathe

This is where you come to let your Soul catch up....

Early morning at the main dock.

Just breathe...

Life is Better when you bring a Friend Along

The research done in Algonquin, at the Wildlife Research Station, has a long history of excellence.  We are happy to support them in their work!

42-years of Turtle research in Algonquin Provincial...

The Algonquin Wildlife Research Station (AWRS; www.algonquinwrs.com) has been home to a 42-year study on the ecology of the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and a 36-year study on the ecology of the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). Over the course of this long-term study we have been able to ask questions about chelonian longevity, reproduction, diet, habitat use, movement and migration, road mortality, (the extensive list goes on!), and address pressing issues of conservation. This study has resulted in many dozen peer-reviewed publications, the thesis research of nearly 100 graduate students, and the training of hundreds of undergraduate students and volunteers. There are turtles that were first marked in the early 1970's that are still alive and nesting today!

If we are to continue our research we will need your support! Please consider sharing our campaign (and updates) to Save the AWRS with friends, family and wildlife lovers everywhere!

http://igg.me/at/SaveAWRS
 

Getting the View into Focus

Algonquin Park is not the only place to come to enjoy great lookouts and viewing of the leaves. Pretty much anywhere up here in North Muskoka will do the job.   And if you are in the neighbourhood, and not afraid of heights, where better to get that panoramic view than from the Dorset Lookout Tower?   Once upon a history, this was a fire station -- if you are at the Algonquin Park  Visitor Centre you can step inside the old lookout tower that once graced the top of this structure.

The view is astonishing, particularly at this time of year.   But that's not all -- up at the top of the Lookout, there is this wonderful bit of interactive art.  Be sure to stop and take the opportunity to gaze through these binoculars! 

It's a very creative piece.   Thanks go to Karen, at the Oxtongue Craft Cabin (another very creative place, and well worth stopping by for a snoop about, Visa firmly in hand) for these lovely photos from Dorset!

Ancient Mariners and Howling Wolves

The Ancient Mariners Canoe Club were with us for their annual autumn getaway.  They hit the very best of the weather -- hot sunny days, cool clear nights.  They also hit the very peak of the autumn colours.

And they scored big in the wolf howl department.  I went out with them on Wednesday evening, gave my best howl, and was blessed to have a fantastic response from the local pack. Long, sustained, close and magnificent.    The wolves made me look gooooood in the "how to howl for a wolf dept."    At least they did until Thursday, when Larry, Earl and Ralph went out on the lawn, just the three of them, and gave their best impression of howling wolves.  And got an equally spectacular reply. So now they know that there is no magic in me howling...  thanks for popping that bubble, Wolf Pack... :)  

This group always decorates the Lodge dining room so beautifully for their dinners.  This evening, it was lovely autumn bouquets... and a great turkey dinner. They know how to do it in style!

Plan Ahead

This is wild sage. It grows in our back fields (along with wild strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apple trees, blackberries...)  

We mention this sage, because Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  And what would a thanksgiving turkey be  without some sage in the savoury stuffing?

We still have some cottages open for the long weekend.  The weather is still splendid, and there will still be plenty of autumn colour in the trees, so don't waffle about, call and book your Thanksgiving -- getting away into the wilderness is something we can all be thankful for!

Colouring Our World

Algonquin Park

 I'm a bit behind posting to the blog this week. That's because, mostly, I've been walking about with my jaw dropped open at the phenomenal display of autumn colours. 


You don't have to go into Algonquin Park -- although it reached it's colour peak for the red maples last weekend, and was completely jam packed with people who were flocking north to see this kind of colour (thank you to the Friends of Algonquin Park for the images we borrowed.



our Bondi back field,
on the Frisbee golf course

We certainly couldn't get any better pictures than you took!)    The colour here is about a week behind the Park, so there are still trees donning their most vibrant reds and oranges.  The golds and yellows are starting to show up as well.


These photos show why so many people beat a path to the door at this time of year.  Here's a small sampling, some of mine, several from Algonquin Park.

along Highway 60 -- no need to even get out of the car

If you've never come to see the colour, you really need to fix that missing element.   So much beauty is good for the soul.


another view from the highway.  Breath-taking!

get up early, hike Mizzy Lake -- you might get to see something
as fabulous as this

or get up early and take your coffee to the Main Dock
at Bondi... 

Dwight Beach provides a lovely backdrop for a picnic

walking through our fields

Flocking Together, Flying Alone

 What great photos we found this week from the Friends of Algonquin Park!


This gathering of common loons signifies the turn of the season. They are getting into their winter plumage, and preparing for the flight south.  The adults will leave this month.  Juvenile loons will hang about the lakes probably until into November before they set off.  There's still some time to hear them calling across the blue waters!

But how about THIS for a photo???  This bald eagle was captured on film at Lake Opeongo, Sept. 24th. That's what is left of a ruffed grouse in his talons.  The bald eagles have been slowly returning to the Park over the past several years -- and we see them here from time to time, which is always a real treat for our guests.  Last winter, we had five of them settle on a deer the wolf pack killed on the bay.  But nothing we've ever photographed in the Bald Eagle dept. comes close to this!