2012
Cormorants – Fowl or Foul?
Probably the most despised bird around the Muskoka area is the Cormorant. You can easily see the damage they cause to the trees and vegetation on the many small islands in the area. Some people believe this is just the balance of nature and it is meant to be however that theory is largely dispelled. People are concerned with the growing population of a bird that was near extinct only a few years ago and now making a remarkable comeback.
Fisherman complain about fish stocks being down and others about the unsightliness and damage to property. There is definitely a controversy brewing about Cormorants not only in Muskoka but in other places where they are calling for a cull.
2012
North Branch of the Muskoka River
This is the north branch of the Muskoka River flowing out of Mary Lake in quaint Port Sydney, Ontario. The river meanders towards Bracebridge into Lake Muskoka and out to the Moon River and down to Georgian Bay. There are 5 dams on this system with power generated at High Falls, Wilson Falls and the Bracebridge Falls.
The Muskoka River Watershed is the largest watershed in the Muskoka district covering an area of 466,000 hectares. The watershed communities are: Dwight, Dorset, Baysville, Huntsville, Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Bala, Port Carling and MacTier
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Mouth of the Indian
Traveling from Lake Rosseau into the Indian River towards the locks in Port Carling. If you have ever made this trip you will probably remember seeing this nautical styled boathouse at the mouth. Please click on the image for a larger sized photo.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
125th Anniversary Flyby
In celebration of the Segwun Steamship’s 125th anniversary the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds performed a flyby at the wharf in Gravenhurst on Friday June 29th, 2012. I found a cool 35 second video on Youtube below.
Note: the Segwun and Wenonah II along with a flotilla of over 100 antique and classic boats will be recreating the original 100 mile tour on the Muskoka Lakes Saturday August 18th, 2012. Apparently the last time this journey was made was in 1958 so there is plenty of interest in this years 125th anniversary celebration. The Segwun steamship is listed as sold out however you may be able to get on the Wenonah II. Details here.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
The Heldena II
I had a chance to peruse the Antique and Classic Boat Show on Saturday meeting a few familiar faces. I find it somewhat difficult to take photos due to the crowds and the fact that boats are static. I prefer to see a gentleman’s racer ripping up the lake. I caught the beautiful 1917 built Heldena II, a 36 foot racing boat powered by a V12 Liberty aircraft engine.
The Heldena was manufactured by J.J. Taylor and possesses a very impressive racing history including gold cups, championships and world speed records. Her owner Fred R. Miller of Toronto loved to race her and unfortunately he passed away at the young age of 44. Heldena II was sold to the Toronto Harbour Commission and used as a fast rescue boat from 1922 to 1958. She was later saved from a scrap yard in Scarborough, Ontario in 1984 with restoration starting around 2000.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
Woodies Galore
The 32nd annual Muskoka Antique and Classic Boat Show is on this Saturday July 7, 2012 at the Gravenhurst wharf. If you have a passion or even a mild interest in the old Muskoka boats I would highly recommend you attend this event. The show includes live music, a flea market, vintage cars and boat tours. Here is a 3:45 min. video of last years event showing some of the beautiful boats and festivities around the wharf. The show is put on by the ACBS Toronto (Antique & Classic Boat Society) and is very well organized. Please click on their link for further details.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
