Swan Lake (or Swan Bay)

We regularly see Trumpeter Swans stop by the bay in the spring and fall as they're migrating.  They are usually in small groups of two to six.  During a gale this winter, we looked out to see a group of 30 swans in front of the lodge.  As we watched, another group flew overhead, swung back around and landed with them--we counted 62 swans in all!  Because of the storm, it was tough to get good photos, but here are a few.

We don't see Canadian Geese here in the bay that often, but there has been a pair hanging around this spring.  (The mallards are pretty normal to see.)

Some Harlequin ducks also moved in this spring.  They like to hang out on the rocks by Sadie Creek.  Like John Cleese says, "Lovely Plumage"!!! 

What a lovely couple!

River Otter Spring Break

We do have lots of river otters living in the bay.  We see them almost daily, swimming in front of the lodge, diving for fish, sliding in the snow, or frolicking on the dock.  They always seem to be having a good time, but I wouldn't want to run into one on a dark rainy night on the boardwalk!

The otters spend a lot of time on the dock or on the floats under the decking.

 

That nice rough wood makes a good back scratcher!

"Who's there?"

"Are you still there on our dock?"

"What fish?"

"I'm not eating a fish!"

"I'm not eating this fish either!"

Otter Log Rolling

"This should be easy!"

"Whoa!"

Overcompensation is to be avoided....

...or you will fall off!

To the amusement of the onshore audience!

Things are going to the dogs!!!

In Warm Springs Bay, Jen and I caretake at Baranof Wilderness Lodge, which is about half a mile from the head of the bay.  There at the head is a great waterfall, the public dock, and about a dozen cabins.  We call that area "town" and it was once a town that went by the name of "Baranof".  There are caretakers at the townsite every winter.  This year, we really enjoyed spending time with Robert and Leigh, and Robert's four dogs, Mika, Max, Maya, and Kenai.

What a day for a paddle!

Leigh prefers her own private vessel.

Here come the neighbors--that's Robert with the paddle!

There goes the neighborhood!

These dogs don't only paddle--they know how to sail!

Why are we all standing in the same spot--testing the ice?

Slip, sliding away on Baranof Lake.

Max is half tongue!

Robert's daughter Laura brought the dogs over to guard our "village white".

More Critters!

Here are some random shots from the bay--mostly of critters.

A beautiful spring day in Warm Springs Bay!

Home Sweet Home (at least for the winter)!


This mink loves Mexican food--especially corn chips!

Checking for predators or competition.

Everybody loves chips!!!

It got too crowded for the red squirrel, so he took off down the boardwalk.

One never knows what they'll find on the food rail!  (including turkey bones)

Haw haw haw, that cat is such a turkey!

Pinpoint landing!

The mink are really going to miss us this summer!

Headed for home with another turkey bone.

Feral Bueller--queen of all she surveys!

Looking at the water is better than being in the water!

Time for a bath.

Did you hear that?

Headed for the front door.

Great Blue Heron in a snowstorm.

Female red breasted merganser

Barrow's goldeneye---'tis a pair!

Roof Shed

Roof shed is not a storage building on top of the lodge, but what happens after a big snowfall.  It usually takes a few days for the snow to slowly creep downhill before calving off like a glacier throws off icebergs. 

The upper roof holds the snow longer because it's colder upstairs.

We also get some nice icicles form as the snow melts.

It's a nice framing effect from our bedroom window upstairs.

The snow that sheds off the roof is hard to clear--it's compacted, heavy, sticky, and often has large chunks of ice in it.

Chunk by chuck, the snow sheds off (and it's really heavy and nasty stuff to clear).