Arctic Sunrise

 

A Piece of the East Shore Viewed from the Island

 



When it is thirteen below zero and the sun starts up--it gives the promise of a better day.  We let the snow stay where it lands, and content ourselves with a few beaten paths around the island.  Some of this snow has been around since New Year's.  What a winter!

The Upstairs Windows

 

We don't have thermo pane on the upstairs windows--just the old fashioned double hung types with single panes and storm glass.  I never changed them out as the winter traceries remind me of my childhood--before modern glass eliminated Jack Frost.  Above is an unusual example of Jack's work.

And here is a view from upstairs.  As you can see by the tracks, the snowmobilers have been having a field day, with the cold winter's ice supporting nearly anything you would want to take on the lake.

Blizzard--The Morning After

Ever See a Snowbow?

Sure can't be any moisture in the air, as the temp is way below zero.  I figure it is the rising sun working on the blowing snow off the lake.  No snow is falling, but plenty is drifting before the wind.

The wind has whipped the snow into dune-like formations all around and over Lake Manitou.

The Great Blizzard of 2014

12 Below Zero and Falling Fast--Wind Chill  at 35 Below Zero

Here are some pictures of the storm.  How can anything so deadly be so beautiful?

It's been awhile since we've been this far below zero.  The heater was a bit behind with the sunrise--but still kept the house at 68 and a fraction.  Now that the sun is up and firing through the many windows, the furnace is catching up.  The wind is the problem, probing for weakness in the best insulated of homes.  It will not ease for a few days according to the weather man.  We have seen it this cold before--but it is supposed to go as low as 16 below.  Right now the snow has stopped and the landscape is flooded with sunlight--I'll follow up in a bit.

Treasure Island in Winter

Getting back and forth can be a bit of a bother..........

But the sights are worth it!

Where Did the Lake Go?

 

A pretty day for snow scenes.  I thought those who visited in the summer might get a kick out of seeing the lake with a coat of ice and snow.  Very different, but beautiful in its own right.

It was a very laborious scoot across the ice today.  The two inches of snow, frozen like bullets in the 9 degree temps, acted like sandpaper on the bottom of the kayak.  But, every three feet I was able to swing down the ski pole tips as hard as I could--and no ice gave way.  That meant I could return on foot--keeping the kayak very, very close on a tether.  Still some thin ice patches out there--please use extreme care if you are going ice fishing.

Of Owls and Eagles

Now that the lake is taken by bitter wind and flows of ice, we are truly back to nature.  All of God's more timid--or at least wary--creatures have come out to say hello.  This morning we had the Bald Eagle in the point deck tree for at least an hour.  This must have been very disconcerting to the little squirrel that lives in a hollow limb--needless to say we didn't see him stick his head out. 

Later today, we looked out the kitchen window to see two eagles standing on the ice off Alice's deck, pecking away at something while ignoring the very brazen gulls.  One gull approached to three feet away--I figure they must think they can outfly the eagles, as they certainly are no match on the ground.

Last night we were serenaded by an owl--the first owl visitor to the island in quite some time.  The call of owls and doves are very special.  Just the right volume and tone for me.  We tend to keep the Blue jays moving as they can jangle a nerve or two.  I have a special appreciation of the song sparrows
and cardinals, as they each have a call unique to

themselves.  We had one cardinal for many years who always ended his call with--what sounded just like-"Virgil, Virgil, Virgil."  So guess what we named him?  Then we had "Son of Virgil" who was smaller at first, and only signed off with one "Virgil."  He eventually moved on to Wolfs Point.  Guess that's it for now--stay warm!

We have illustrated this note with two pictures from Mike Kenny's Photo Album at the Rochester Sentinel.  This is one of our area's best resources for news and nature.  You can see more by checking out www.rochsent.com