One of the nice things about this cottage and lake is that it is largely unspoiled by the over-development and “condo-izing” which characterizes so many cottage areas now. This part of Quebec, while close enough to Ottawa, is not full of strip malls and traffic. As a result, there is lots of wildlife around if you are observant. I like photography, and have taken lots of pictures of other ‘visitors’ to the lake.
| This beaver lodge, built by a hard working neighbour, is around the bay from our place. |
 Beaver Lodge |
 Northern Pike |
The lake has lots of fish: trout, bass, cisco, perch, and northern pike. This particular one was nabbed about 40 feet away from our dock. |
| This little guy stood very still–hoping I wouldn’t see him. |
 Chipmunk |
 Winter Deer |
There are deer all year round, but they are easier to spot against the white snow in the winter. |
| This juvenile Black Duck decided to come by and check out the beach near our cottage. We started feeding them, and now we have a regular flock that comes to visit every year. |
 Quacker |
 Frog |
A small frog pauses on the sand. |
| We have a bird feeder, and it attracts a number of different species. Here, a mother Evening Grosbeak feeds her young chick. |
 Grosbeak |
 Noisy Grouse |
These Ruffed Grouse are hard to spot, but not so hard to hear. They start off thumping low and slow, then it builds up speed and sounds like a motor starting in the distance. They do this to attract mates. |
| A Great Blue Heron sits on a log and tries to remain very still, in order to aid in his fishing. |
 Great Blue Heron |
 Loon |
The classic Canadian symbol, the Loon, is fairly common at our lake. Their eerie cries in the evening really underscore the fact that you are in the middle of nowhere. |
| One day while out in the boat I noticed this raccoon. He seemed to have an incredible sense of purpose, and didn’t seem to mind that I was watching him, maybe 10 feet away. |
 Places to go....people to see |
 Time for a dip |
Having run out of logs to walk on, he jumped in and swam across the little bay to his final destination, whatever that was. |