We went for a drive!

 Wednesday, we began the day with rain. This is highly unusual for us – for February. It shows us with snow, but that wasn't the case. I haven't been down to the trailcams in a couple of days. I've been busy and tired. Last night it was snow, which is better than the freezing rain they predicted.

Tuesday I had an appointment and a respite client. I suggested to JB a drive we could plan for the next nice day, and to rest Wednesday, but it didn't look too encouraging for sunshine for a week. The clouds were moving in. Off we went. 

A new home:

There are lots of sap lines up in our area. Apparently, sap producers have begun tapping. Normally, this happens in March and April. JB and I were just discussing this. It has to be above zero in the day, and below in the night. This way the sap rises and falls and is captured by the sugar shack. Many use modern tubing sap lines, smaller operations still use buckets. The tubing does less damage to the trees. This is Josephine at our neighbours operation in 2011: Sugar shack! (Our neighbours have 35 acres, with 2000 taps.)

We made it to Narrows Lock. Lots of geese!

And swans! They could be trumpeter or tundra swans talking to the Canada Geese. Trumpeter or tundra swans have black beaks, with a bit of colour (red or yellow). You'll note, the clouds rolled in, but it was good to get out for a drive.

I was quite shocked to find that the ice machine was chugging away in the lock house. The building is closed for winter, and there is no staff.

They've been doing work!

 

narrows lock from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The Big Rideau is quite solid, or so it appears:

We did a full circle around Rideau Lake. The green is Murphy's Point Park.

Rideau Ferry's little island, frozen in the ice.

Now for some coffee, later some breakfast, and then today's exercise is to go out and shovel!