2008
A Boathouse near Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka
Muskoka is known for the many unique boat houses along its shoreline. This boathouse is up around Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau.

In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
Muskoka’s Cormorant Bird Explosion
Here is a close up of the freaky cormorant birds that inhabit a small island up on Lake Joe in Muskoka. I have seen them on Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka as well. Apparently the double-crested cormorants were near extinction at one time due to the levels of toxic chemicals. The fact that they are coming back is a good thing even if they are creepy, eat lots of fish and destroy some vegetation. Some people think they came from another area however they are a native bird of Canada.
Information from Environment Canada Here

In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2008
Invasion of the Cormorants in Muskoka
If you have ever traveled down Lake Joseph in Muskoka by boat you may have noticed a very strange looking island. It could be a scene right out of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. This small chunk of land is in fairly shallow water and seems to be the home of a large colony of Cormorants. Its very creepy.

In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2008
The Year of the Frog
This frog was nice enough to pose for me while I took his photo in the pond beside my cottage. I discovered an interesting article by Canada’s David Suzuki entitled, The Year of the Frog while I was searching for some philosophical copy to accompany the photo. Apparently many different species of frogs are vanishing from the planet at an alarming rate. Scientist consider these amphibians the “Canaries of the Coalmine” as a benchmark for our planets health. Climate change, pollution and a silent killer called chytrid fungus are the main suspects in the mass disappearance.

In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2008
Scenes from a Jetski on Lake Joseph in Muskoka
Its a beautiful time to be on the Muskoka Lakes. They say that boat traffic is down because everyone prefers to golf. Not so sure about that. And others say its the price of gas. This photo was taken from a Jetski while exploring the many islands on Lake Joseph. Its a breathtaking experience that I can’t get enough of.

2008
The Muskoka Antique Boat Show in Gravenhurst Ontario
The Antique and Classic Boat Society, (ACBS) had their annual Muskoka boat show this past weekend at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst. This show featured many of the classic boats from yesteryear including Ditchburns, Dukes, Minett-Shields, Greavettes, Peterboroughs, Dippy’s, Sea Birds, Hackers and more.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Antique hunting in the town of Rosseau, (Muskoka) Ontario, Canada
At the north end of Lake Rosseau you will find the Town of Rosseau which is situated on Hwy 141. There is a great general store and a few other shops and galleries including this interesting antique shop. Don’t forget to stop here for ice cream as its one of the best places in all of Muskoka. While I was taking some pictures an incognito gentleman walking his dog sauntered by. Good to see you Ed Grimley.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
The Classic Wooden Boats of Muskoka include the 1930 Ditchburn
Here is another shot of “On Behalf Of Sam” a 31 foot Ditchburn beauty built in 1930. Taken from the docks at Port Sandfield in Muskoka on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
Sullivan Island on Lake Joseph in Muskoka Canada
There are many islands within the Muskoka lakes district. This is Sunbeam Sullivan Island on Lake Joseph. (thanks Jamie for the correction on the name) I am not sure of its history but I am sure it has an interesting one with its wrap around veranda and big lake views or “vistas” as the real estate marketer extraordinaire’s call it. This baby can be picked up for a mere 1.99M

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
Muskoka Lakes Boathouses are in Full Swing
Its surprising how many new boathouses you will notice after the ice thaws. Building boathouses during the winter time is easier and also provides for employment in a time of year where everything is usually dead quiet. Muskoka is world famous for its boathouses. Here is an example of a new one going up on Lake Joseph as you head north out of Port Sandfield.

In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
Ditchburn and other Classic Boats of the Muskoka Lakes
On any given day on the Muskoka Lakes you can spot the beautifully crafted boats that were built in this region almost one century ago. “On Behalf Of Sam” a 31 foot Ditchburn built in 1930 was spotted on Lake Joe out for a Sunday cruise.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
An Old Cabin on Lake Joseph, Muskoka
I discovered this old cabin on a small island while traveling towards the north end of Lake Joseph. It is still possible to find old cabins and cottages around the Muskoka Lakes that date back over 100 years. New development has not taken everything.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
The Boatworks of Port Carling, Muskoka
The Boatworks of Port Carling, Muskoka
The Port Carling, Ontario Boat Works was established in 1925. During the Depression, the company sold the most stock production inboard boats in Canada. Their famous SeaBird launches were built on site and at a branch plant at Honey Harbour.

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
The Six Waterskiers on Lake Rosseau
Zooming out of Clevelands House – the six waterskiers

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
The Dempster Cottage (Former Big B Camp) built in 1894 Muskoka, Canada
Doors Open Ontario presented an opportunity to look at some interesting places.
Dempster Cottage (Former Big B Camp) built in 1894, located on Lake Muskoka
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
Cruising the Muskoka lakes
While cruising down Lake Joesph on Saturday I spotted the Segwun Steamship anchored at the Sherwood Inn

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
The Sun Sets on Muskoka’s Historic Marygrove
For those of you following the story about Marygrove formerly the Glen Home Hotel circa 1939 in Muskoka.
Well shes gone now. Hope The Sisters are happy.
See also: The Wrecking Ball Takes Down Another Historic Muskoka Landmark
and …
The Continuing Destruction of Muskoka Courtesy of your Muskoka Lakes Township Council
The Sun Sets on Marygrove

Twisted Sisters Stoves Waiting for the Scrap Man

And after a hard days work remember to drink Muskoka Dry

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
The Kee to Bala, A Muskoka Favorite
The Kee opened for business in the summer of 1942 and was originally named Dunn’s Pavilion.
It has been a favorite to many that have visited the Muskoka area.
In the 1940s and ‘50s, Big Bands like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong played here.
Since the 1960s, rockers like David Wilcox, Kim Mitchell, The Ramones, April Wine, Rush, Burton Cummings, The Tragically Hip, 54-40 and the late great Jeff Healey played at The Kee.
Check out this year’s lineup: www.thekee.com

In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Globe and Mail article on the Muskoka High Water Levels
Last week the Globe and Mail (Canada’s National Newspaper) contacted me and asked for permission to use some of the photos I took on the high water levels around Muskoka’s cottage country. They also interviewed me on what I had seen and were nice enough to make mention of this blog.
The Saturday print edition came out with the photo shown below and a story. The on-line version is sans photo and located here
I noticed quite a bit of traffic and a few new comments on the blog then all of a sudden our data center that hosts our websites went down due to a transformer exploding. Unfortunately we have been down for a couple of days but are happy to say we are back in the saddle again.

In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized








