SKELETON BAY

The stark branches of early spring and skeletal limbs of two dead trees lend credence to the name of the bay below them. Skeleton Bay, a sheltered arm of Lake Rosseau affords protection to nesting loons and offers one of the most scenic views with rugged cliffs and a cluster of cottages, aptly named The Cliffs, snuggled at their base.

SOMETHING FISHY

There's something fishy going on lately under the cover of darkness by the water's edge and if you listen for the frogs as I was advised, they are your cue that the smelt, small silver fish the size of herring, should be running during their spring migration to their spawning streams and can be caught legally after dark with lights and dip nets.

EASTER SUNDAY

Like a child scouring the yard for Easter eggs I searched the summit area of Lookout Mountain for interesting subjects to photograph. I was drawn by the colour to a lichen cluster of British Soldiers that I imagined could be people boating, their wooden vessel's bow lifted out of the water, and the leaf as the waves rearing up at the side.

GOOD FRIDAY

With temperatures soaring into the high 20's this Good Friday the last of the ice vanished from the lakes, one of the earliest dates on record, and with the promise of above seasonal temperatures for the remainder of the Easter weekend, the weather will be luring boaters out on the water and hikers out on the trails to enjoy this blessing.

APRIL FOOL'S

It contains all the ingredients of an April Fool's hoax: come visit Muskoka for the long weekend (Easter mind you, not the traditional May 2-4) and enjoy boating, barbequing and balmy temperatures, however this is not a prank but reality, and is encouraging several cottagers to return early to take advantage of the extended season.