Scenes & Observations of a Freshly Sprung Spring

Northern Harrier at Airport

Just last month it was very hard to believe that all that snow would ever go away! The winters are very long here in Northwestern Ontario- from November to early May. Actually, we are still getting temperatures dipping below 0 degrees Celsius on some nights but overall, the temperature is quite pleasant now. The highest temperature we have hit so far this year in 2014 is +17 degrees so that is definitely enough to warm up our chilled bones!

Great Horned Owl 

The spring birds have returned and are such a pleasure to listen to, especially in the early morning and at dusk. Many types of birds that we don't usually see here are stopping by to pay us a visit.

The grass is starting to turn green and perennial flowers & grasses are sprouting everywhere! It's such a good feeling to have things growing again. Speaking of growing...

What a pleasure it is to walk into the greenhouse at Chukuni Campground and breathe in the sweet fragrance of blooms everywhere. It's amazing how many different types of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables are ready to be planted everywhere in Red Lake and surrounding communities. So exciting to pay a visit to Carol and her daughter Andrea who have worked so hard to fill the 3 greenhouses for the pleasure of local customers. Of course Ralph, Carol's husband is the one who kept the place warm to allow the plants to grow to this peak. They are open 7 days a week until 5:30pm until the end of June.

The deer are back! On a recent trip to Kenora, we spotted at least 15! They are wide awake now and back to grazing in fields and backyards. We saw 5 deer in one person's lawn right next to the Tim Horton's in Kenora!We also saw a couple moose, a few fox and a rabbit. Nature is alive and well and excited to get on with the spring/ summer season.

Andrea Fischer of Chukuni Greenhouses is also an
impressive fisherwoman!

The May Long weekend that just passed was also an important event that marks the beginning of spring around here. Although bays and some sections of larger lakes are still pretty much frozen except for the edges, most small lakes, creeks and rivers are free of ice now and ready for fishing.

The highway was teeming with trucks pulling boats, campers and 4-wheelers.  Where were they all going? Fishing of course....and camping. Anything to be outdoors again, after being trapped indoors for so many cold months. Cheers to Spring 2014& all the upcoming fun, relaxing, exciting and warm moments spent outdoors and on the water with family & friends!

Spring 2012: One For The Books!

Record high temperatures have made this March in Northwest Ontario one to remember. Mike Smith of Lakeside Marina reports that on March 11th he ran his Skidoo up a snow bank and down into his truck since the bank was so high, but by March 18th the bank was gone completely!

All snowmobiling in the area has obviously come to a halt because the trails are bare, but fishing has been good, with walleyes making their way into the creeks. ATV's may be the vehicle of choice to reach them, though Mike predicts anglers will be hunting walleyes from boats for the last week of walleye season. Fishermen focusing on trout say fishing has been slow, but some are finding ling in the deep reefs where they come in to spawn.

Giselle Ryczek only needed a one pound walleye to claim the grand prize at the annual Gyro Club Fishing Derby earlier this month. She opted for the $1,000 instead of the fly-out fishing trip. Congrats Giselle!

Thank you Gary Smith for providing photographs of the Gyro Club Fishing Derby!