Another Ice Update

Man, the weather here has been freaky for the past few days - snow, then rain, then snow.

But despite the antics of Mother Nature, the ice continues to leave. Little Ducky is now too far away from the melt line to mean anything, so here is a picture taken this morning to show that our bay is mostly clear, except around the shoreline that gets the least sun (of which there is not much these days).

There is still a large ice area in the other direction - towards the portage - but I imagine that if we get any sunlight this weekend (hope hope hope), it should be gone before Easter Weekend.

Someone reminded me that this time last year, they were eating outside on their deck. Grrrrrrr.

Little Ducky in the Rain

It was a windy wet day on Saturday, but I took a couple of pictures to show progress of the ice melts.
The duck is floating in open water, as you can see here.

that's him, right at the bottom.

This one shows waves on the open section of the water beside the dock. The smoother part is the rain on the remaining ice.

This one was taken this morning and there are lots of open sections near shore and near the channel.

But here is another  one I took this morning - yikes!!!!!

This time last year the boat was in the water!!!!

What else is there to say.

First Loon Call This Morning

Yep - that's what we heard.

We're not exactly sure where he can be landing just yet, although there are a few open places on the lake. Trevor's point at the narrows is completely open and there is about a 6' opening near the shoreline in our bay.

Here are a couple of pictures to share. As you can see, the duck is now just a few feet from open water.

There is the little fellow - above water in his only little pool - staring at the open water.

Looking towards the lake and to the left, you can see floating docks.

There is nothing like the loon call to make you believe that cottage season is here. I am optimistic that a few more warm days - and the rain predicted for the weekend - will mean that the ice is out by Easter weekend.

April Showers Give and Take

There was rain on the weekend - not as much as in Toronto - but enough to wash away lots of the dirty snow.

And I think it took some of the ice with it too. Here's the "duck-o-meter" and a couple of pictures of the lake.

He is nearly out of the ice now.

Taken from the portage - lots of open water now.

A few dark spots in the ice that look ready to open up.

And as we walked today, I looked for anything budding. Found some.

So a few more balmy days and we'll be well under way.

Duck Duck Melt

The snow didn't amount to much - in fact it was gone by noon.

Today is sunny and warm. I noticed that my little duck is now even further out of the ice, so he can become the barometer to share progress. Here he is today.

And here are two pictures of the shoreline - with visible water!

Unfortunately, our dock was a casualty of the ice this year. But, it's either 17 or 18 years old, so I guess we can't complain too loudly.

Sunday's forecast is for 20 here!!!

Oh Oh

Not what we were expecting to wake up to this morning.

It feels like a giant step backwards to be sure. But the forecast high is for 6 degrees today, so I don't think it will last long.

Look What Just Popped Up

Too bad I didn't notice this before I did the last post, but who says I can't do 2?

I looked out my studio window and saw this - the decoy that marks our water line - with his head peeking out of the ice.

Now that is a sign that things are melting down there. Yippee!!

Last year the boat was in by April 21st - doubt we'll make that, but we are making progress.