Wild Flowers

It seems that every year a new wildflower makes its debut on Treasure Island. This is the year of the Lily of the Valley. We have carpets of these snow white beauties scattered about the island--perhaps to remind us of the bright white snow cover we enjoyed just weeks ago.

The Marauder

This is the time of the year for birds to be nesting. We had a sweet little duck nesting at the point, right on the edge of the deck. Yesterday morning we found her eggs scattered within a two yard radius, with only the shells remaining. Before that we had a robins nest go from "eggs" to "eggless" over night. So my lady set a trap and look what we found. As I write this our raccoon is taking a nice ride out into the country. We are hoping this solves the egg problem for the season.

New Arrivals Part II

Here are the pictures we promised earlier.

New Arrivals

The nesting geese had taken their station beneath our satellite dish a few weeks ago, as they did last year. This morning we had a dusting of frost on the ground and, on her morning rounds, my wife saw a most unusual sight. Both geese were on the nest! We mulled this development over coffee and wondered if it was a two goose morning, in terms of keeping the eggs warm--though we'd never heard of such a thing--we were always told females did all the sitting. When we went back to check, we found we were only part right. The eggs had hatched, and both geese were now quite busy herding little fuzz balls about. Earlier the goslings must have been under both sets of wings. So now we have four goslings and one forlorn unhatched egg with a hole in it. We'll try to get some pictures when they are less skittish.

Spring has Sprung

Admittedly this is the veriest beginning. Not much evidence as yet. But we've had our first warm days and the trees and flowers fell for it--as did we. As soon as we'd removed the storm windows upstairs and the blanket from the bed--in came another cold snap. Still, we submit to you incontrovertible evidence that spring is here.

Sandhill Cranes

The sandhill cranes have been more present than ever this season on Manitou. They sound so much like baby racoons, that it takes some detective work. In both instances, the sound seems to come at you from all sides at once. Some times the best thing you can do is look straight up--and very high up at that. You might be graced with the sight of a flock all at once.

Just a few days ago we had our first experience with cranes at low altitude. Two pairs came swooping low over our roof, flying from the north, toward the marsh past the Anderson place on the south shore. It is so hard to believe that something that breathtakingly big can fly at all! They made no sound, but what a sight! I have included one of Mike Kennys great Rochester Sentinel photographs. The big guys are too quick for me--I don't know how Mike does it.

The End of the Ice

Today is the day. The Moose lodge places a car on the ice every year (a very old tradition) drained of fluids and cabled for quick removal. Everyone draws a date when the car will break through. Right now the front end is through the ice. My bride did as well, breaking through to her shoulders today. We also lost an ice fisherman to the waters of Manitou toward the head of the lake. We're happy to report that six others and lots of rope got him home safely. My bride had a good hand on land, so she was safe, but wet, as well. We always cross with kayaks in tow when the ice is unstable. Still, thirty-two degree water is no fun. Spring ice is a stealthy thing. You have no warning. The snow runoff eats from under the ice pack while a slush from the warm sun forms on top. When there is no longer enough ice to sustain you--you plunge through very quickly, and with no fanfare. In the fall, after the first hard freeze, the ice--like a rattle snake--will warn you with a loud crack before you go. In the Spring, it is a soft "whoosh" and you are gone . We have lots of provisions. To our friends on land--we hope to see you soon.