Wolves at the Beach

One of the wolf tracks we found on the
beach!

 Sharp eyes spotted these tracks along the shore by the Cook-out beach yesterday.

"Are they Taffy's?" the kids asked.  Well, in a word, No.  There were lots of tracks, of varying sizes, indicating several animals coming for a drink.


We asked Taffy to please walk beside them, for comparison.


Later that night, under the stars, we howled for the wolf pack. The answer was thin, and distant, but later in the evening Benjamin and Nathaniel reported that the pack was in full song.
Which was totally cool.  Other guests have reported hearing the back at unlikely hours of the night -- 11.30 p.m.; 2 a.m.; 4 a.m.

Taffy walked here -- the print is rounder,
the toenails much shorter and less sharp.

Starting next month Algonquin Park will be offering their world famous Wolf Howl programs. August is perhaps the best time of year for those -- the packs are a little more "anchored" by the young pups on the rendezvous sites, and will tend to not only stay in one place -- at least those staying at home to babysit the youngsters -- but be more willing to answer a howl than they are when the pups are very young.

Breakfast is served

Natalie's parents and nephew were here yesterday.  George grabbed the canoe at 4 a.m. and softly paddled down the lake in the early morning mist.  Fishing pole in hand.  By 7 a.m. he was back on the beach, with a fabulous catch of small-mouth bass.

Roswitha tells us that "fresh fish" is little Daniel's favourite food in the world, so the catch was destined for the breakfast table. 

George shared that he had hit the mother-lode when it came to a fishing spot. He said the bass were hitting almost faster than he could reel them in, and he got to the limit very swiftly.  Now, we can't tell you where that spot is. That would be telling... and true fishermen like to stake their own claims (David and Mike have painted an X on the side of their boat so they can find the spot again, she said, gently mocking)  But suffice to say it took about half an hour to paddle there...

Later in the same day Nancy was at the Annual Meeting and Fundraiser for the Andrew Daniel's Fish Stewardship Program.  In memory of young Andrew, an avid fisherman, this association works hard on Lake of Bays to improve the fish spawning and habitat.  Look for their fish rulers and posters in local stores, such as Robinson's in Dorset, and help support them in their work.  They have restored creeks and spawning beds around the lake, and are currently engaged in a program to increase the brook trout population,. Lake of Bays is one of the few lakes outside of Algonquin Park that has a healthy brookie population now. These fish are among the most sensitive to environmental and climate change, so they are well worth watching as lake health indicators.

Berry Interesting

All through our back fields you can find berry bushes.  From the low blackberries to their tall cousins, the wild raspberries and tiny sweet wild strawberries to the large mats of blueberries.  It makes a walk in the evening so much more fun when you can score a small nibble as you go, so be sure to occasionally look down!  These blueberries are growing right at the edge of one of the fairways for the Disc Golf course.

Stylin' on the Disc Golf Course

 Brian expanded the Frisbee Golf course this year, from nine to TWELVE targets!

It is a popular pastime with our guests. And did we mention that there are both Semi-Pro and Pro Tours for Disc golf?

You could be honing your skills right here in the back fields, along with the deer and wild turkeys who frequently play through the course.

It also makes for a wonderful walk. The 'fairways' are mowed, so easy to find, and there is this lovely shady trail that connects the 'back course' to the final six...
 Correct style and dress... well, that's up to you.

Laura, Lauren, Jay and Roger were all displaying superb style.

They have been on the course almost every day of their stay.

The game, for those unfamiliar, is played just like golf, only different.  The holes (and i can't really call them holes, since they are above ground) are targets, with a base basket and a surround of light chains that stop the disc and drop it into the basket.  You start at the Tee and throw towards the target.  Three different weights of disc give you the option of the far-flying Driver, the more accurate Mid-Distance disc and the heavy Putter.

It is scored by tracking how many throws you need to land the disc in the basket.  No need for fancy gloves, spiked shoes, heavy bags of clubs... Just walk and toss.

And check out the superb action Roger is demonstrating. We think he could be on the Pro Tour, easy...

Peek A Boo

 Look who dropped by Red Pine cottage yesterday to say hello!


She wandered across the lawn to check in with a few other cottages as well.

Our guests enjoyed watching her from the bedroom window.  Now THAT is getting close to nature, without leaving the indoors!

Making Friends

 Mardy took these pictures while he was sitting in a deck chair at his cottage.f



The guests on the right side were part of the Brodey Family Reunion...


The guests on the left side were the neighbours, just dropping by to borrow a bite of lunch.


Absent from this photo is the little spotted fawn, who was out on the lawn this week.

Also absent, the big buck with his antlers in velvet, who is more shy about being seen in public than the does seem to be.

What lovely memories get created here at Bondi Village, and how wonderful for these youngsters to be so close to wildlife...

Paddle Faster

Sheri's job, evidently, was to ferry Alli and Zack out to the Waterslide...

Our paddle boat is free for all our guests, and in this weather it is very seldom found at the dock.

Which is fine by us.  This week, the thermometer got to 92'F, 3 (33C), in the shade at the office. It was far cooler at the beach, under the big willow trees that are natural air-conditioning units and can drop the temperature by up to 20F degrees.

Not to mention the refreshing jump in the lake, which is almost compulsory in summertime.