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!

Ice Out on Howey Bay

Ice Out! Marg and Dave McLeod from Howey Bay Resorts & Outposts report Mother Nature is doing an excellent job of getting Red Lake ready for eager resort owners, boaters, and anglers. 

Situated at the east end of Red Lake, usually Howey Bay is pretty stubborn about giving up its wintry grip, but it is now mostly clear, with operators of fly-in outposts already beginning to move their planes out of storage and into the bay, a busy hub of flying traffic all season long. 

Early ice out can be a good thing on Red Lake for both residents and fish alike. According to Marg there’s nothing worse than waiting for the lake to clear in the third week of May; those late ice stories in the coffee shop can only be repeated so many times! With an earlier than usual ice out, owner/operators of fly-in outposts can get a jump on preseason work, making sure their cabins are ready for the first visitors of the season. An early spring also gives walleyes an opportunity to spawn before the season opener, insuring a strong class of fish for the future.

Ice out predictions in Red Lake pools usually range from April 10 to the 21^st, but locals this year are eyeing April 17 or 18 as probable hot tickets for the cash prizes. 

Photo: Dave Mcleod and Lorne Marks give nature a hand in breaking up the ice in Howey Bay. Great to be on the water again!