Ice Nearly Gone

Well, today may be the day. The ice may finally be gone.

The weekend was more than a little strange. We woke up Saturday to flurries (c'mon, really?)

But yesterday was sunny - though a bit cool - and the sun undid the bit of ice skim that had formed on Friday and Saturday night. And we did not experience any of the rising waters that Huntsville and Bracebridge did.  Everything is surprisingly dry.

This morning, the sun is dancing on the water and I think the rest of the ice will be gone by dinner time. Mind you, who can predict anything this year!

Our duck water marker is free and clear of the ice and was communing with all the wood ducks that dropped by on Friday. It was strange to see them swimming up the edge of the ice and then just sitting there all day.

Hopefully, this warming trend will continue and before we know it boats will be in.

Is it spring yet?

After two sessions of "winter avoidance therapy", we arrived home on Monday to find that although spring is not quite sprung, it is trying.

I checked some spring posts from last year and by April 19th, we already had trillium leaves, buds and our first dandelions, so we are definitely behind. Our boat was in by now, so we have a long way to go still.

Here's a bit of an update:

The snow is mostly gone from the properties - still a bit in the woods - but the lake is still iced over.
Except for close to the shoreline, it is still solid. The snowmobile tracks are beautiful patterns as the ice turns darker.

In our garden, the first of the daffodil shoots are peeking up, so there is hope. Other than the possibility of snow on Saturday, this week has been sunny and clear.

Here are a few pictures we took on our walk yesterday. 

The Otter Lake side of the portage - little snow, lots of water.

The water line duck is emerging from the ice.

Two "real" ducks who came for a visit.

Melting near the shoreline.

Eager daffodils.

The last tracks of the season.

I will monitor progress in the next while. I am sure that black fly season will come directly behind spring.