We went looking for otters! Part I

 We were on a mission Friday, March 24, to reprise the trip where we spotted the river otters. We visited them in 2013,  River, Otter and Canada Geese photos] It was the day we saw the Skootamata River - bridge and roadside memorial near Tweed. Then, again, Friday, March 11th: a quest (2016), as we tried to find the spot again. Back in those days, I didn't take photos of the GPS to ensure we could find our way back to a great location. That said, we had a plan. Friday morning did not bode well. It was a pretty sunrise, with nice colours. Fortunately, it cleared up.

We passed Ian Millar's property, we are neighbours of sorts. You can see the snow cover is slowly melting. The Millar's have had a tough time, as Ian's son, Jonathon, had a horrific fall in Florida while competing March 12th. He has been in an induced coma since. They are doing a fundraiser, as there are medical costs. We have been involved with them in the gun range issue, since the proposed gun range is near this field. As if the family needs any more issues. We are hoping for an end to that shortly. 

UPDATE: "Currently, Jonathon is off of all sedation, breathing on his own and in stable condition. He is showing promising signs communicating with facial expression and hand signals. Each day getting stronger and stronger. "

I noticed a crew working on the posts. It has to be a big project. There are lots of posts missing along the highway. 

I liked this little spot, an island in the river. 

This seems to be a renovation, as the basement looks like older brick.

This was a bit of a mystery. They spray brine in anticipation of freezing rain. We've had enough of that.

You may laugh, but seeing the rocks is amazing. 

This rock, in the middle of the pond, show how high the water can get. We'll see what the spring freshet brings.

The large beaver ponds are still frozen on top (above), but the rivers and streams are moving.

Notice the turtle fences↓!

There are lots of beaver dams and muskrat pushups. I've a better one from another season. Someone likes a joke. 

Notice the tornado damage. More on that another day. I feel badly for the people in Mississippi with the huge impact of those tornadoes, loss of life and property.

We passed by this spot coming and going. The first drive-by photo wasn't great, but gives you an idea! It really made me smile. 

We were headed to the Skootamata River. This place, Black River Trading Company, is unique. More later!

I'll stop here. Hubby always likes to see my photos to remember where we've been! Saturday we had snow, ice rain, rain and more snow. It has since melted, although we've still snow cover. Sunday, today, more snowy rain. Lots of people without power due to the winds. 

Big trip to the city

 I simply could not face repackaging my new trailcamera, and using the return sticker to send it back to the warehouse in Manitoba. Some of the packaging went out with the trash, sadly. At the time it felt a  monumental task. Chatting with the dude online, he wanted to see my receipt. I'd have to scan it. I'd phoned the store, but the lines were jammed for a week. I gave up last week.

Their return policies are clear, 60 days from purchase. That was Nov. 4th, and it was Jan. 4th. I ended up emailing the store and explained my dilemma. Rebecca assured me she'd put this on my file, and I could return it to the Ottawa store ASAP. We went on Wednesday, the store is in Kanata and not too far into the city.

We felt comfortable going there, I went into the store alone, N95 mask in place. This Omicron is scary to us old farts. The camera is still charging (48 hours), but should be done by noon.

Can you see the deer in the field?! 

They must have been getting rid of the invasive phragmites.

I must sit and sketch some more. This might be a good one for me, or the next one. 

The snow fences are up on the open fields. You can see a lovely yellowy spot on the photo on left (below). It was a cold day, and I didn't want to open the car window! It's on the window. I should get rid of it, but I keep on forgetting about it. 

We were passed by an ambulance. A bad day for someone.

No more Lego for us! The girls are beyond it. We spent a fortune on it, they had lots of fun assembling it, but they've moved beyond it. 

I'm not sure what good the signage will do...

These big machines sit here!

I was curious to see if Otter Creek had any critters. Certainly there were tracks on it.

The fast flowing water is open, where the river water is squeezed through the channel. That said, there are ice fishing shacks on it!

It is freezing at the shore, and in the slow moving bays.

These canoes aren't going anywhere! I spotted three ponds people are using as skating rinks. It was fun to see.

We arrived home to our deer friends, who missed us!

Today's project is getting the cats to the vet for their annual exams and shots. 

March 23rd trip – part 2

This is part two of our drive. [Mar. 23 – Another adventure] An interesting trip with sightings of Grouse.
Spring, while it creeps up the continent, it's not here yet.
The fast-flowing rivers keep the water moving. They are beautiful, as they melt. You understand how lovely it is to see them thawing. Our winters are a little longer than those in other climes.

typical Lanark County barn

This was an interesting spot. I noticed the building. JB noticed something else on the other side of the road. We both forget what that was!!!


The stories this old house holds...


This was a clue, the orange ball, that there is an airport nearby. Not a large airport, and not open in snowy winter!


Roads and marshes, and this is our topography.


I loved this house. See the flower! I think this is the place that has the dinosaur bones in summer, but I cannot find the photo or the blog post!


Lanark Highlands: ponds, hills, and roads.


Lots of cottages, closed up for winter.


Myers Cave


We were intrigued with Myers Cave Resort!


The Skootamata River is a long, meandering river, this is the bridge and roadside memorial. The incident occurred Oct 31, 2012. The bridge was ruined in the incident.


Upon arriving home, we both did some more research, and think we might have found it! I did not record the actual spot in my previous blog posts. [1. Skootamata River -  near Tweed; 2. River, Otter and Canada Geese; 3. Friday, March 11th, 2016: a quest] That'll be another trip!