Our Ducks are Back!

Part of the experience of staying at Beauview is getting to know our local ducks. They return to our bay each year, have babies and migrate south and then return again.

During the Spring and Summer, the ducks walk right up to our guests looking for bread handouts. We tell people not to feed the birds but some do anyway and then find that the ducks come right up to their cottage looking for them each day! They sleep on the docks and raft waiting for our guests to emerge.

I like these guys much better than I like the geese who make a real mess in the grass.



Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Docks are Out

The ice left last week so today was a great sunny day to reposition the docks ready for the next season. Can't you just picture yourself on one of the benches enjoying the lake?

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Lake is back! Ice Out 2009

It's official! The ice has gone and Lake of Bays has returned. There were a few ice floes yesterday but I don't see any today. It is supposed to warm up to 23 degrees C for Friday and Saturday.

Its funny but no matter what the winter is like, I have found that the ice doesn't leave until around the 22nd to 24th of April each year.

Fishing for Lake trout is the best right after the ice leaves. The fish are found close to the surface.

And ... Happy Earth Day. I've been walking the road along with my neighbours picking up trash after the snow has melted.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

A Moose at long last!

Every Spring, I go into Algonquin Park looking for moose. We send our guests into the park too. They come back with some great sightings but I haven't seen a moose in Algonquin park in over 10 years until today! Moose are more visible this time of year before the trees have all their leaves. They also like eating close to the road to get salt content back into their bodies after the long winter.

Today I saw one moose at KM3 and then travelled 1/2 way through the park without seeing anything. I turned around to come back and found the a moose (could be the same one) on the opposite side of the road and another mommy moose and two babies hidden in the bush.

PS There's still ice on the lakes in Algonquin park but the ice has just left Lake of Bays.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Lake Ice is Moving

The wind is coming from the North East this morning. Its pushing the lake ice towards our shore. The sheer power of the ice sheet is incredible. Huge docks will be pushed off their foundations today and yet you could step through the ice sheet because its so thin.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Sorry you lost the Bet - Ice Out

We had a call yesterday from some of the guys that stay with us in June for some great spring fishing. They confirmed their time but they also wanted to know if the ice was out yet.

Nancy had to speak to each one personally to tell them. She thought this was a bit odd until they told her that they had bet amongst the group as to when the ice was out.

Here's a photo I took this morning as proof. There's open water near shore. Sorry some of you lost the bet. (hope it wasn't too much money!)

Ice out is usually around the 22nd - 24th of April in some parts of the lake its a bit sooner. By this time next week, the lake will have returned!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Golf Courses are Opening Up for 2009

The Muskoka Golf Courses are starting to open for the season. We just got the announcement that the Muskoka Highlands is now open.
14 holes are ready to play and the Driving range is open to practice your swing.

Its still a little cool so you'll need to bring your gloves and maybe a toque?!

http://www.muskokahighlands.com/



Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Deer outside our window

With a picture window overlooking the lake, we look out our window all the time. Just outside our window, blending in was a deer at rest, enjoying the afternoon in the sun. Normally we don't see deer resting as they are always seem to be on high alert, but today she was probably pretty tired after enduring the rain and snow of the last few days.

Laying in the leaves, eating some new green grass, under the sun, must have felt like heaven!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Mother Nature is messin' with us!

Mother Nature is sure getting payback for the wonderful weather we've experienced over the last few weeks. We got a lot of rain on Friday and then today we woke up to wet snow that's been coming down on and off all day. Our stream is running high and fast. Lots of water going into the lake. Even in this wintery weather, I saw a dozen robins and some other smaller birds on our waterfront lawn. They could care less!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

First Rainbow of the year

We had a quick thunderstorm this afternoon - only one lightning strike and then it got sunny. As it got sunny, we saw our first rainbow of the year.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047