2016
Frolicking Otters of Muskoka
I arrived to the cottage, switched the waterfall on in the pond and within a few minutes I heard splashing and high pitched squealing. I stood and watched these three Otters perform Oylimpic level somersaults and backflips. They were having a grand old time. After a short time they noticed me standing near by and fearlessly swam up to the edge staring at me in deep curiousity. Obviously I was no threat as they continued on with their antics for the next two hours. I’m not so sure there are any frogs or fish left in the pond though.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2016
Dark Clouds Rolling
Whoever is in charge of sunsets this season has done a remarkable job. On this particular night it appeared that we were going to get some well needed rain. I took off on my trusty Jetski and found these ominous clouds on Lake Joseph near Fairy Island.
By the way – I just started using Instagram and I’m finding it useful and fun to post photos on the go. You can follow me here and I will follow you back.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2016
Contemplating Life
In a few weeks these young people will be back in University. Hopefully they shall return next year for their Muskoka fix.
2016
James Lumbers, Twilight Cruise
I purchased this print by well known Canadian artist James Lumbers many years ago. The print still hangs in our cottage today. It is a scene that would have been once viewed from the road side in the early days of Gordon Bay Marine located on Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Who knew that years later Mr. Lumbers and I would become friends. We had the opportunity to travel together to explore a charity project about the Sutter Brothers from Viking, Alberta. We were trying to raise funds for the rebuilding of the famous Viking Carena that had burned down. Unfortunately the project never came to fruition but I struck up a friendship with a fantastic person and great artist.
Most Canadians have probably viewed Jim’s work at some point with his trademark “ghosting” reflecting memories from days gone by. Jim has done a number of iconic paintings with Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Joe Montana and others as the subject matter.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2016
Chasing Sunsets Up Joe
About an hour before sundown I like to jump on my Jetski race out and chase the sunset. I took this photo about mid-way up Lake Joseph where there are beautiful unobstructed views.
2016
Storms Never Last
Here is a short video I made after a storm blew through the Muskoka area Friday July 8th, 2016. I sat in my dining room and watched these trees come down in the high winds. It was very surreal. We were extremely fortunate that they missed the cottage. We now have a new unobstructed view of the lake with about 30 feet of shoreline being blown out. We heard the next day that there were tornado sightings in the area. Don’t mess with mother nature – 🙂
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2016
Chicks on the Dock
Sometimes there are no words 🙂
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2016
Lake Rosseau Boathouse du Jour
A beautiful day for a jetski cruise. I don’t recall exactly where I was when I took this. Somewhere near Tobin Island and the Venetian Group of Islands on Lake Rosseau.
In: boathouses of muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2016
Frog Eyes
I have a small frog pond at my place that starts to come back to life this time of year. This guy allowed me to get real close with an iPhone in hand. Click for a biggie photo.
2016
The Iconic Muskoka Chairs
This is a well recognized scene when you visit Clevelands House on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. Americans know them as the Adirondack chair however we refer to them as the Muskoka chair. You will see them on almost every dock or lawn throughout the Muskoka and cottage country region.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2016
I’m Ready
The water levels have dropped and it has started to warm up a bit. For many it will be a busy season dealing with contractors to repair and rebuild the damage the high water and ice has caused. I’ve been researching the real estate market on the Big 3 lakes and can’t believe how high the property values have climbed. If you invested on these lakes I’m sure you have seen your value increase substantially over the past 10 years. Taxes too. I’m ready to start enjoying the season – starting now.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2016
High Water Levels in Muskoka
I’ve been visiting Muskoka recently dealing with the high water problems that many of us are suffering through. This is the second time in the past few years this has happened with the first being in 2013. I made a 2 min video showing the extreme volumes of water flowing from the Bracebridge Falls into Lake Muskoka and then out through the Bala Falls into the Moon River. There are some photos of the damage this high water has caused at the end of the video.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2016
Muskoka Drone Proposal
I’m so stoked about the upcoming season in Muskoka. Here is a sweet little video with some beautiful drone flying to get you in the mood. Thanks to Jon Corbin from CorbinVisual for permission to post. Congrats Jon on such a cool marriage proposal. Jon confirms she said Yes! 🙂 Check out Jon’s Youtube page with some of his other fine video work.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2015
The Muskoka Water Cab
A friend asked if I would accompany him to look at some island properties that are for sale on Lake Muskoka. We hired this cool Muskoka Water Taxi to take us around in the freezing temperatures. He had a nice little setup with a propane heater inside to keep us warm & toasty. Apparently he does ample business in the warm season dropping and picking up people on the many islands on Lake Muskoka. He will even bring you pizza.
2015
Last Ride of the Season
We have been fortunate to have extremely warm weather these past few days reaching upwards to 21C in Muskoka. I don’t recall a November this warm in a very long time. Well you know its borrowed time and its going change real soon. This is the boathouse on Sullivan Island located on Lake Joseph as I made my way home on the last run of the season.
2015
Muskoka Flyboard
It was as beautiful fall day when I dropped by Summer Water Sports to remove my Seadoo’s for the season. The Muskoka Flyboard team was out front making a video so that they could qualify for the world champions. Notice that there isn’t anyone driving the Seadoo? It’s being controlled remotely by the flyboarder.
2015
Florence Island on Lake Rosseau
Florence Island is located on Lake Rosseau closer to the Windermere side of the lake. My limited research tells me the island was likely named after William Jermyn Conlin (July 26, 1831-November 19, 1891) an actor who took the stage name Billy Florence after visiting Florence Italy. I was unable to find any information connecting him to the Muskoka area. He was also the co-founder of the Shriners.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2015
Ferndale Boathouses
Ferndale is one of the most visited destinations when showing people the architectural eye-candy by boat around Lake Rosseau. The property is owned by a self made Canadian Billionaire who has amassed great success in the home building business. At one time this magnificent property was called Ferndale House and later it was sold to the Canadian Keswick Conference Centre. The property now supports four boathouses along with a massive cottage mansion, guesthouse, sandy beach, sports courts and a helicopter pad. These two boathouses are relatively new additions.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2015
Ouno Island Boathouse
I have been informed that there are four unique boathouses that are designed to store sailboats on the Big 3 Muskoka lakes. I often pass by this cool boathouse on Ouno Island near Clevelands House and Red Leaves Resort on Lake Rosseau. I never get tired of looking at Muskoka boathouses.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2015
Dragonflies, our Friends
Say hello to our little friend. Dragonflies are fascinating insects. They are territorial (especially the males) and will defend against their own species and other insects. They can eat about a fifth of their body weight in prey per day, usually mosquitoes.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
