Back in civilization (so to speak)
After leaving our first Canadian port of call in Blind River, Ontario we headed out for the short hop to our first anchorage at Turnbull Island. When we arrived we were the only ones there until later in the days when another boat arrived. We had our traditional first anchorage steak dinner and headed out on a nice dingy ride around the series of bays and islands that make up this area. The next morning I went out on a solo dingy ride armed with my big camera in search of a waterfowl species, the Hooded Merganser, which I had seen the night before. These birds are fairly skittish and don’t allow very close encounters. What I did come across was a fabulous shot of a hen and her brood of ducklings as they tried to avoid me. These don’t fly yet but they can scoot across the water pretty quick. I did not see any male Mergansers. Attached are a couple of the shots I took.
After Turnbull, we proceeded on our next leg to another favorite spot at Longpoint Cove. The morning turned cloudy and we were once again the only boat in the quiet spot with the exception of a passing fisherman. We took another long dingy ride but did not spot any creatures along the shoreline. The next morning I spotted a Loon pair and proceeded to follow them in the dingy hoping to catch a close shot. Unfortunately, the morning was dreary and the light was not very good. I did catch a few glimpses as they would surface between dives. 
Leaving Longpoint we headed 20 miles east to another familiar area but a new anchorage spot. On the way there we had to transit a narrow Little Detroit Passage which is always a treat as it only allows one boat at a time and you hope any oncoming traffic gives a warning that they are approaching. When we arrived at Hotham Island, we were only the second boat there. There is a nice cottage at the bottom of the bay and the cruising guide says that some of the friendliest cottagers in the area live there as most cottagers don’t like us cruisers. Well, that was a true statement and we were invited ashore, BYOB, for hospitality hour. The owners, a nice retired couple from Libertyville, IL, bought this spot a couple of years ago and live there six months a year. They have no utilities and rely on purified lake water for drinking. It’s a real slice of paradise if you don’t mind primitive.
After Hotham Island we headed east another 20 miles to another nice anchorage in Sturgeon Cove where about seven other boats were anchored. Our big event there was a nice sunset on the point at the entrance.
On the 4th, we headed the short hop over to Little Current, Ontario where we will re-provision before heading out again on Tuesday for more days “on the hook”. Little Current is the "big" town in this area and sports two grocery, one drug, one hardware, two banks, and a state liquor store. There are also a couple of restaurants and place that serves pizza. We will be here many times this season as always.
After leaving our first Canadian port of call in Blind River, Ontario we headed out for the short hop to our first anchorage at Turnbull Island. When we arrived we were the only ones there until later in the days when another boat arrived. We had our traditional first anchorage steak dinner and headed out on a nice dingy ride around the series of bays and islands that make up this area. The next morning I went out on a solo dingy ride armed with my big camera in search of a waterfowl species, the Hooded Merganser, which I had seen the night before. These birds are fairly skittish and don’t allow very close encounters. What I did come across was a fabulous shot of a hen and her brood of ducklings as they tried to avoid me. These don’t fly yet but they can scoot across the water pretty quick. I did not see any male Mergansers. Attached are a couple of the shots I took.
After Turnbull, we proceeded on our next leg to another favorite spot at Longpoint Cove. The morning turned cloudy and we were once again the only boat in the quiet spot with the exception of a passing fisherman. We took another long dingy ride but did not spot any creatures along the shoreline. The next morning I spotted a Loon pair and proceeded to follow them in the dingy hoping to catch a close shot. Unfortunately, the morning was dreary and the light was not very good. I did catch a few glimpses as they would surface between dives. 
Leaving Longpoint we headed 20 miles east to another familiar area but a new anchorage spot. On the way there we had to transit a narrow Little Detroit Passage which is always a treat as it only allows one boat at a time and you hope any oncoming traffic gives a warning that they are approaching. When we arrived at Hotham Island, we were only the second boat there. There is a nice cottage at the bottom of the bay and the cruising guide says that some of the friendliest cottagers in the area live there as most cottagers don’t like us cruisers. Well, that was a true statement and we were invited ashore, BYOB, for hospitality hour. The owners, a nice retired couple from Libertyville, IL, bought this spot a couple of years ago and live there six months a year. They have no utilities and rely on purified lake water for drinking. It’s a real slice of paradise if you don’t mind primitive.
After Hotham Island we headed east another 20 miles to another nice anchorage in Sturgeon Cove where about seven other boats were anchored. Our big event there was a nice sunset on the point at the entrance. 
On the 4th, we headed the short hop over to Little Current, Ontario where we will re-provision before heading out again on Tuesday for more days “on the hook”. Little Current is the "big" town in this area and sports two grocery, one drug, one hardware, two banks, and a state liquor store. There are also a couple of restaurants and place that serves pizza. We will be here many times this season as always.
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