The May Two Four (part three)

On Sunday John and I 'toured' the crown land adjoining our property to have a look at the trees I transplanted a year and a half ago. The three trees (two White Pines and a Balsam Fir) have already begun budding out, and appear extremely healthy and vigourous. On our way back down the hillside we noticed these magnificent Luna Moths sitting on a bracken fern. They are magnificent, and measure almost five inches in wingspan.

The May Two Four (part two)

On Sunday John and I built a crib to raise the rainwater barrel, as placing it directly on the ground allows poor access to place a watering can under the spout for filling up. I busted apart two pallets made from round posts with flattened top and bottom surfaces, cut them to length, glued and nailed together a crib, then added slats to the top. About a half hour job between the two of us from start to finish.

The May Two Four (part one)

I arrived at the cottage Friday evening, after having dinner with my sister and her family in Barry's Bay. The next morning, after running into town on some errands, I arrived back and let buddy 'the wonder-poodle' out, who promptly leapt out the door at me, and pranced over the long, skinny visitor who was basking on the concrete pavers outside. It hissed up, made a few striking motions, and rattled its tail, warning us off.

I freaked out a bit, because all I know of snakes is if it rattles its tail and strikes out, it might be a Massasauga Rattler, the only venemous snake in Ontario. What little I do know however, is that the cottage is located well outside the normal range of that snake, or so I thought I knew. I got Buddy back in (who walked right over the snake on his way in of course!) and then phoned niece Rachel up, and had her google "Massasauga Rattlesnake", who quickly found out that mine was more than likely an imposter, and in this particular case was an Eastern Milksnake. The milksnake is virtually identical in colour and markings, yet is much slimmer, and though it 'rattles' its tail, it does not have actual rattles at the end. Phew!

OPP Search For Canoeist on Carson Lake

Some unfolding news that I learned of this morning... Hopefully the canoeist in question went ashore to take a pee break and had his canoe blow away, however after two days, the likelihood of his having drowned is becoming more certain.

Barry's Bay This Week - Canoeist Missing on Carson Lake