Emergency vehicles on the evening of Aug. 3 were responding to a devastating structure fire on Eagle Island Road where a small cabin burned to the ground. Luckily, there was no injury to persons or pets.
Not another fish story
While catching fish has slowed down in the month of August, many of the avid fishers from the neighbourhood are claiming success with gang trolls, wedding rings and worms. Apparently a kayak and paddle will bring some exciting fish action as well. Kelly Raby just missed landing a rainbow trout, in her lap, when a large fish jumped out of the water on the starboard side of her kayak and returned to the water on the port side. Kelly admits that had she not had two companions as reliable witnesses, she would probably never have told anyone her remarkable story of the one that got away.
Garden grazers
Many residents are lamenting over the cagey deer that have found their way over electric fences, under net shields and through greenhouse doors to graze on the maturing crops of vegetables. They seem to be particularly fond of peas and all types of salad greens. Not only are the deer more plentiful this year, but one resident is convinced that crossbreeding between white tail and mule deer are resulting in a tamer and much wiser deer, able to outsmart our local garden hobbyists.
Algae growth
A large algae bloom is growing in Lac des Roches again this summer. The yellow mass is clearly evident where it gets caught in low-hanging branches and underwater snags. It can be annoying to property owners as it also traps floating debris and impurities on the lake resulting in a strong, unpleasant odour as well as a boating hazard. As the water levels drop, this blanket of exposed algae clings to everything. While drying algae loses its foul smell, it is somewhat unsightly. Last year, residents were advised that there was no harm to the lake by removing small amounts of algae to improve enjoyment of private property.
Fungi, fauna and fruit
In addition to a banner mushroom year, wet weather has the promoted the growth of abundant colourful wildflowers throughout the surrounding fields. The discovery of sweet smelling "bog orchids" growing in some of the wetter places near the lake is a particularly pleasant surprise this year. It is unusual to have to wait until August for the wild strawberries, but these tiny flavourful berries are definitely worth the wait and time it takes to harvest them. As the saskatoon and thimbleberries just start to ripen, the huckleberries in the nearby forests are already ready for picking.
Wonderful wildlife
A bear has been munching on ripe bear berries at the east end of Boultbee road in August. A lake otter was spotted along the shore last week, a rare summer sighting since their black bodies are camouflaged well against the dark shoreline. The yellow-coloured fox follows a set path through the yards on Boultbee Road and seems to have developed a suitable buffer zone between itself and the many pets and badgers residing in the neighbourhood. The twin mule deer fawns and triplet white tail fawns are seen almost daily in the neighbourhood. The unpopular ground squirrels are still munching the healthy rain-fed crop of new grass and weeds in the lawns and will no doubt delay their usual August hibernation into September this year.
Lack of litter
Thank you to everyone for doing their part in keeping Lac des Roches free of litter this year. The improvement is very noticeable.