28 Jul
2008
WITH:
No Comments

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.

Muskoka Boathouse



In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

24 Jul
2008
WITH:
2 Comments

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

Comorants in Muskoka



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

22 Jul
2008
WITH:
3 Comments

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.

Cormorants



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

14 Jul
2008
WITH:
1 Comment

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.

Muskoka Frog



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

09 Jul
2008
WITH:
1 Comment

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.

Lake Joseph Muskoka



In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

07 Jul
2008
WITH:
3 Comments

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.
Muskoka Wooden Boat



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

02 Jul
2008
WITH:
13 Comments

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.

Rosseau Ontario (Muskoka)



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

25 Jun
2008
WITH:
2 Comments

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.
Ditchburn Muskoka Boat



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

24 Jun
2008
WITH:
3 Comments

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

Sunbeam Island



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

23 Jun
2008
WITH:
2 Comments

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.

Muskoka Boathouse



In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

22 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

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.
Ditchburn Muskoka Boat 1930



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

18 Jun
2008
WITH:
2 Comments

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.

Lake Joseph Cabin Muskoka



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

16 Jun
2008
WITH:
8 Comments

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.

Boatworks Port Carling



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

15 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

The Six Waterskiers on Lake Rosseau

Zooming out of Clevelands House – the six waterskiers

thesixskiers-72dpi.jpg



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

15 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

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

dempster-72dpi.jpg



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

11 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

Cruising the Muskoka lakes

While cruising down Lake Joesph on Saturday I spotted the Segwun Steamship anchored at the Sherwood Inn

Segwun on Lake Joe Muskoka



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

08 Jun
2008
WITH:
1 Comment

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

Muskoka Marygrove destroyed

Twisted Sisters Stoves Waiting for the Scrap Man

Marygrove Muskoka Scrap

And after a hard days work remember to drink Muskoka Dry

Muskoka Dry



In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

05 Jun
2008
WITH:
4 Comments

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

THe Kee to Bala



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

04 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

The Dragonfly Metamorphose

Truly fascinating to watch – the Dragonfly metamorphose

Muskoka Dragon Fly



In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water

04 Jun
2008
WITH:
No Comments

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.


Muskoka Gas



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

design & theme by Nikola Lazarevic