Summer has fully arrived, just in time to start saying farewell. A Sunday afternoon drive took us to Loon Lake, also known as Summit Lake, just off the Alberni Highway near Cathedral Grove.
We ate our picnic lunch beside the lake, then hiked around the lake, enjoying water, mountains, ferns, and trees.
We noticed a number of trees with scars on them. The First Nations people harvest bark for making baskets from these trees and know how to remove just the right amount so as not to damage the tree.
After hiking most of the way around the lake we realized that the trail was taking us away from where we needed to go. And there was a swampy creek to get around. A little bushwacking brought us to this tree, fallen right across the swamp/creek, about 10 feet above it. Tim sauntered across with little concern - I walked across very slowly, hanging on to spindly tree branches, which didn't provide me with much help, except in my mind.
The lake teemed with life. Red salamanders swam in the shallows, a heavy-bodied fish dragged around the skeleton of a small trout, and these water bugs skittered across the surface. The black teardrop shapes are the shadows of the bug's feet on the bottom of the lake.
Summer might be drawing to a close but we'll enjoy the sunny days
while we can.
Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary. This week Mary's site has some gorgeous photos of her visit to Alcatraz.
Wasn't it a fabulous weekend? We're hoping that September will be full of long, warm days.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to learn about your part of the world - it's absolutely stunning isn't it? Lovely walk - apart from the tree trunk crossing - thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely mosaic. I love your outdoor photo's. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteYour hikes always seem to turn into adventures, glad it was you walking along that "bridge" and not me.
Great shots!
Maggie
Oh, Lorrie, what a gorgeous mosaic!
ReplyDeleteI really miss being able to walk thru the woods, or fields, or just any old terrain! It looks like you had a beautiful place to spend time walking!
Oh how very beautiful! Well done! Cathy
ReplyDeleteHello Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous are these photos...nature in its best!
Love, love, love all I see!
Can't wait to go back to B.C.!
Gabriela
What a beautiful place. The mosaic is just gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mosaic! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week,
Markus
Glad you had a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteI have fond childhood memories of catching those little "water Skeeters" at the pond near my family's cabin. The cabin is gone now so all I have are delightful memories. Thanks for sharing your adventure; it's made for a good start to Monday.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! That is really interesting about the bark and how they know how much to remove without hurting the tree. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think we are all making the most of our beautiful (though a little late) summer!
ReplyDeleteLove your mosaic. Late summer is perfect for hiking in the forest, less buds.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful photos in the mosaic! And I have never seen salamanders like that! I wouldn't have known what they were! ♥
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie - that must have been a wonderful afternoon. I always enjoy your outdoor adventures. glad you're getting such good weather!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your hike. Enjoyed the photos. I would not have been able to cross on that log. :D
ReplyDelete