2/11/07 - Lake Ice >8"

We just skied 11 laps around the perimeter of Third Sister; we guessed it's about .5 mile per lap. The EEB limnology class came (2/5) out last Monday to take some water samples. At that point, the ice was 6" thick, where the week prior it was 3". So with the temperatures as they have been, highs in the 20s and laws in the single digits and teens, it is quickly thickening.

The cabin stays fairly warm, but certainly we wear sweaters and slippers. We've closed the shutters on the East and west windows, and also the northeast porch window. This seems to help.

We've been keeping one car in the barn; so far it hasn't been a big problem to get up the driveway. But come melt time, it will be a muddy mess, no doubt.

We saw a huge great horned owl the other morning perched in a tree along the driveway.

I also had the lovely experience the other night of awakening to a squirrel pawing at my hair! It was reaching up the edge of the bed and it took me awhile to realize what was going on.

To cold for chainsaw in barn - brought it in cabin so we can start it.

1/27/07

It's been a cold week until yesterday, when it hit 37°. The lake has some open spots on the ice now. Chainsawed large trees on causeway: 1 hr.

GAS DELIVERED: ~JAN 24

1/20/07

Spent 2hrs clearing trails

1/17/07

Saw 2 deer across the "creek" SE of the cabin while running around dusk ~5 pm. Also heard the Great Horned Owl.

1/15/07

Already 2007! Last week H. saw 2 coyotes crossing the road/driveway west of the cabin. It was just about at daybreak, when they are supposed to be active. We also cut up a downed tree over the driveway one morning last week - we had to in order to get out.

This a.m. we awoke to an iced forest - the trees are weighed down and brittle. We spent about ½ hour removing downed branches from the main driveway, but there are many others on side paths that we haven't gotten to yet.

We decided to park a car in the office park overnight in case some trees came down tonight. We also finally put H.'s car in the barn... that should make it easier to get at least 1 car out.

We went for a hike on Saturday in Stinchfield Woods - talk about a huge property! We were lucky enough to see a pileated woodpecker just after we started hiking. We heard his cry first, and kept looking until we spotted the source. We also encountered a man who had set up a tarp, started a fire, and seemed to have moved in on the outskirts of the woods.

11/26/06

We've had quite the Indian Summer during this Thanksgiving week. It feels as though it's 50° out - I'm out writing again by the lake. I haven't seen too m,uch so far, though there are several crows across the lake and east of the house making quite a ruckus. It feels like a mild April morning rather than late November.

We are up to having trapped 4 mice thus far in the cabin. We've caught them using conventional snap traps and a bit of peanut better. They've all been caught in the oven broiler drawer!

I keep hearing a decently loud sound in the woods across the lake - sounds like something running through the leaves - but can't put a finger on it. Deer perhaps?

Have seen and heard quite a few chickadees (I think that's what they are but will have to confirm). A flock of ducks just flew east.

Yep it's a black-capped chickadee. Also saw a Downy woodpecker the other day.

A couple of ducks just landed at the east end of the lake. I could hear their wings cut the air as they turned - pretty cool!

11/14/06

UM Graded the driveway and put additional gravel in spots.

H. heard the Great Horned Owl from inside the cabin yesterday at 6 AM!

We spotted a hawk flying across the yard this morning; H. almost hit a deer in the driveway this morning.

Several folks with dogs off leash on Sunday, but they were affable about it.


As prelims approach and the weather gets colder, I haven't been doing my morning outdoor writing.