Spring at the lake - babies everywhere!

It's been awhile since we posted.  I (Ann) had a hip replacement in mid April, so things have slowed down a bit.  However, healing is going well and we're back in action again!

Springtime at the lake is always a treat.  The garden is flourishing, with the rhododendrums putting on a particularly beautiful show this year.  This week we managed to cut the last few blooms of peonies for the dining room table arrangement, and the snapdragons are a riot of colour along the lakeside rock retaining wall.  It's all good.  :-)

The most fun at this time of the year are the baby ducks.  We have several families of mallards, and after all our years here we still get a chuckle as the babies scoot along the top of the water to catch up with mom as she paddles serenely ahead of them. 

One particularly amusing family are the pied billed grebes who hang out in the reeds on our lakeshore.  They have 6 babies, who 'peep, peep, peep' constantly for mom to bring them snacks.  She's busy diving and feeding, diving and feeding all day long.  The poor thing must be greatly relieved when darkness falls and she can get some rest.  The grebes have a remarkable call, and we found a recording  plus some photos on this link, so check it out.  http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/64/_/target.aspx.

Last weekend was the official summer opening of Mt. Washington, and for the first time in their operation they had skiing and snowboarding to start off their summer season.  So in addition to the hikers, about 1,700 skiiers hit the slopes for the weekend.   Skiing has now closed for the season, and it was a good one.

Discovery Marine Safaris are once again offering excellent whale watching and wildlife viewing from their comfortable boats based out of Campbell River.  This is a 'must do' when visiting Vancouver Island.   Orcas (also known as killer whales) are the main interest, but minke whales, dolphins, seals, otters, eagles and all kinds of water birds are also seen.  Remember to ask us to make a booking for you when making your reservation to stay at Lake House.  Here's information on the boats and the tours being offered this year  http://www.adventurewhalewatching.com/.

That's all for now, and we'll check back again soon with more news.  Mark your calendars for July 7 - 11, the weekend for Courtenay's fabulous Music Fest celebration http://www.islandmusicfest.com/.