Wandering on Water

Over the past four weeks the water levels in our lakes have dropped so fast that you can almost watch it happen. It has been a dry summer, but I don't think that is the only reason the water levels are so low. Whatever the reason, there are all sorts of new things to see along the edges of the lake. The new shoreline has revealed a plethora of interesting objects such as sunken boats and the bases of beaver lodges.

We have been making the most of the lovely evenings this week by taking the canoe out after supper. The Sprouts are becoming better boat passengers, although Jo still can't remember that we stay sitting in a canoe. At some point we will tip due to his wiggling and then he will remember.

Earlier this week we had a huge list of wildlife that we had seen when we arrived home from our paddle. A beaver that lurked around the canoe while we took a close look at his dam; whose entrances were almost a foot above water level. Two families of loons with babies who dove at their parents' warning as we floated close. A mother duck with too many ducklings to keep track of, who scattered as we came closer. She did everything short of stand on her head to distract us from her flock of little ones. And great blue herons who love our lake; we see several every time we are on the water.

Last night there were a few distant loons and a beaver that we heard, but couldn't see. LK brought his camera and sat in the front of the boat trying to take pictures of all the animals that we didn't see; a somewhat frustrating endeavour. Plus he had a pairs of wiggling little ones of our own in the middle of the boat who kept the noise level high enough that critters had lots of warning to get away before he could shoot them.

Perhaps we will leave the Sprouts behind on the next trip so LK can get some good shots of the critters.