Lichen and Moss…

…how stone turns into forest.

From On High…

…a few drone shots.

A Few Natives…

…including these—Taxicodendron (not pictured), and broad leaf dogwood…

…and beaked hazelnut

Asters and Goldenrod

It’s almost that time of year.

And, overnight, a blustery north wind carrying a hint of fall.

And, for the Francophones among us:

Si vous avez l'impression de tout perdre, rappelez-vous que les arbres perdent leurs feuilles chaque année, mais qu'ils restent debout et attendent des jours meilleurs.

Il ne faut pas pleurer pour ce qui n'est plus mais être heureux pour ce qui a été.

A Few Random Bits…

…now back in Kagawong.

Perfect day for a row.

The above has been released.

Poor soil, little sun, no watering, but still a ripe tomato.

And, our resident kingfisher is working up and down the shore.

Two Hours…

…on the International Bridge.

Thanks to an uncaring and incompetent bridge maintenance crew. Of course, anyone who undertakes 24 hours of driving on a 4 day trip should be required to undergo a head exam.

Warm, Wet, and…

…very green, in SE Wisconsin, where we are for two days. House still standing after the floods, and basement dry.

Tomatoes provided by our neighbors.

Deck Time

Both upper and lower, with a nice breeze.

Suspended…

…in thin air.

Below a levitating stick.

And below, QA Lace on an etelioated stem.

Triathlon…

…plus homemade pizza party.

Breakfast On The Dock…

…then, later, hand-caught and filleted fish fry.

Plus, mud ball delicacies created by the teenagers, and a snake provided by Will and the twins.

Is That Fog???

…no, smoke.

Becca’s Big Haul

First ever rainbow trout (or steelhead salmon) caught off the dock. Twenty-three inches and five and a half pounds. Bri accepting the challenge of cleaning it.

Meanwhile, Will and Katy sailing Geode skillfully in flukey winds.

Kagawong Kup Regatta…

…resumed. Four boats; Heliotrope victorious.

Also, trophy smallmouth bass.

Toads and…

…bass.

Flotilla…

…to Sandy Beach and back.

Surfeit of Shadflies…

…and hundreds of gorging gulls. Spent flies covering every surface. Gulls getting too heavy to fly. And, with high wind and heavy rain, it was not a great night for aerial endeavors.

But, the great shadfly irruption speaks volumes about clean, healthy water in Mudge Bay.

Lots of Asclepias incarnata…

…just beginning to bloom.

Manitoulin Morning

Early paddle and swim, in glass calm. Lots of super aerodynamic common terns working the shoreline in their aerobatic way. Minor shadfly irruption over night.

All Forms…

…paddle, walk, ride, swim, and sail—and that sailing was the Windrider in an odd, smoky, humid haze, and “racing” Three Forks for a while. Nolo contendere; we smoked ‘em.

Photos by Sue