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Nice find

marlin,

indeed it was a nice find.

... on Glacier Lake.

... would love to be seeing that above my fireplace with all the other animal and nature "artifacts" found and acquired over the years, but it remains at the campsite for others to see, hold and ponder.

... of course the mice and others might be feasting on it as we speak, as evidence suggests.

-- kypaddler

Beautiful picture postcard.

starwatcher

After spending hours in the office with charts and graphs and more charts then more graphs...
pausing a while on this pic had a therapeutic effect.
nice one. thanks!

db wrote on Nov 16^th, 2010 at 6:34am:

Today's POD   (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register

It's so nice to see a place I recognize (with the help of being told where it was).  We did Pickerel-to-BatchBay in August & caught a good number of smallies just to the left in the small bay that doesn't show in the photo.

I want to go back so bad...  [smiley=dankk2.gif]

PS: Where's today's beautiful Jesse sunset shot taken from?  I just did Jesse's whole length (Oriana -> Maria) for the first time this year & definitely consider it as more than a cut-through from Pickerel to Walter now.

AH HA!  I see the POD is back!  Hoooooray!

dd

Hoooooray indeed! It's like being windbound with a spot AND a sat phone. Arrrrrgh!


Quote:

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Yes!!! very nice having the POD back Thanks [smiley=thumbup.gif]

wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 7:19pm:

PS: Where's today's beautiful Jesse sunset shot taken from?  I just did Jesse's whole length (Oriana -> Maria) for the first time this year & definitely consider it as more than a cut-through from Pickerel to Walter now.

That is from on the group of tiny little islands just inside jesse from the portage from maria. that is looking to the west north west.

wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 7:19pm:

[quote author=db link=1289628946/0#3 date=1289889261]Today's POD  I just did Jesse's whole length (Oriana -> Maria) for the first time this year & definitely consider it as more than a cut-through from Pickerel to Walter now.

Jesse is definitely a destination lake in my opinion.  We spent a couple of days there this summer at a beautiful campsite just past the Maria portage.  If you're looking for Walleye, Jesse is the place to be.  I was hauling them out at both ends of the lake even at mid day in bright sunlight.  Our paddle the length of Jesse (Maria>Oriana) was magical.

Just a note on today's POD, you can see cumulus clouds building over the heat from the October controlled burn on Kek.

starwatcher




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---

Nice [smiley=thumbup.gif] very nice :) what I wouldn't give to be sitting there right now.....

Ditto.  Incidentally. . . .where is "there", exactly, Karl?

satchmoa wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2010 at 12:54pm:

Nice [smiley=thumbup.gif] very nice :) what I wouldn't give to be sitting there right now.....

+1  Nice shot.

Thanks everyone.  :)  We had unusually nice weather for mid-October; sometimes we get freezing drizzle, and sometimes it's nice like in the photo.

Spartan2; "there" is the west side of an island point on the very north end of Alice Lake.  Beautiful campsite; we had our pick of campsites and didn't see anyone else out that far.

starwatcher

Love today's POD  :D I have many times thought that a Timberline in the woods was better than a suite at the Ritz. Well done  ;)

Best honeymoon evar!

Congrats... Looked like in the excitment to get in the tent the guy ropes were forgotten.  ;D

1st thing that came to mind was "Love Shack"   (You need to Login or Register

wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2010 at 4:43pm:

Love today's POD  :D I have many times thought that a Timberline in the woods was better than a suite at the Ritz. Well done  ;)

The couple actually wanted to have the wedding ceremony on the trip.  Can't a captain of the ship (or canoe) marry a couple?  :D

but, they wanted us to get an official certification.  

Anyway, can't be all bad to have a spouse that treasures the canoe country, and will even put up with canoeing with a bunch of grubby bums on a cold October trip (I'm talking about the husband).

starwatcher

Beautiful photo today, Karl.  

Thanks Lynda,  Great to hear that from a pro.

starwatcher

I dig todays's POD. A nice quiet moment.

Thanks Akula; It was a beatiful morning on Alice Lake. :)

Very nice series of pics - thanks for sharing!  -Tom

Thanks Tom,

Looking back it's hard to believe all the calm water pictures; but we did have to fight the wind on our way out.

starwatcher

Hey starwatcher where is this one?

Lake 4, last day of our trip.  Campsite marked 10-15 Friday.  It was a little overused, but had a great view.

starwatcher

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Thanks [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Starwatcher,

Thanks for sharing this great series!  I'm assuming todays pic is also Lake 4.  Looks like some tropical blue waters there.  Were you using a colored filter, or is this some post processing?

Thanks jj; Yesterdays and todays POD are from an island campsite on the northend of Alice Lake.  I use two cameras; a small Canon digital A-75 and a Canon AE-1 film camera with a 28 to 70mm zoom and sometimes use a polarizing and other filters.  Alas, I didn't drop the AE-1 in the drink this year, so it survived another trip.  I hope to retire the AE-1 this year and maybe Santa will bring me a nice new Canon digital that I can transfer the lenses to. (I hope Santa reads this post).  Riversend made fun of my wife buying me a chainsaw for Christmas last year...maybe she will read my post and buy me the camera if Santa doesn't. ;)

starwatcher

Fantastic pic today.  I love the Whisky Jack.  That's an awesome photo.   [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Thanks ;) That was taken in Oct on Sawbill Lake. My buddy there actually all of us were getting nervious with all the raisins those birds had been eating ::)

Beautiful picture today!

Thank you. This was taken on Cherokee Lake in Oct as well. As you can see the leaves were mostly gone so not much color but it was still nice.

I agree, fantastic picture today!

starwatcher

Nice shot satch!   :)

Just something about early morning fog to give your environment a bit of a mysterious look.

dd

This one makes me hungry :P

Me to and that was my plate :P

Did you pack in the pasta fresh? :-?

No I bought the bagged tortilinni and added a bag or 2 of chicken some broccoli that I dehydrated and powdered milk and alfredo sauce. I also made some bannock to go along with which I fried up in olive oil with garlic salt added to the oil. It was good matter of fact I would go for some rite now [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Nice pancakes and campmor wind screen ;)

love those cakes....almost makes me want to take a spring trip

Love the pancakes, but I was thinking that looks like some big bulky & heavy equipment to carry on a canoe trip.  :o

;)Naaaaaaaaaaaa the cakes were great and the only thing heavy was the food barrel :P LOL We do like to eat [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Too soon!  Gotta wait for the bubbles to start popping!  Heeehee.  Looks delish!  Fresh blueberries?

Looks like you almost bring as much armor cookware as we do!  Where's the Dutch oven?  We bring one so we can eat really well.   ;)

starwatcher

I like those photos of the tamaracks turning yellow ochre; Mid October would be about the same timing as our annual canoe trips.

starwatcher

Last year saw this but not this year, they were bare in the neck of the woods I was...the same neck that I was in last year and the same time frame...year to year :) Pretty, I like this one! [smiley=dankk2.gif]

[smiley=dankk2.gif]Thanks for the complements. I really enjoy tripping this time of year just for the tammarack colors. I did miss the colors of the leaves but this more than made up for it... ;)

Picture Postcard Perfect!  Excellent shot, satch!

dd

Thanks Doc this is when I wish I had a canvas printer...

satchmoa wrote on Dec 14^th, 2010 at 11:40am:

Thanks Doc this is when I wish I had a canvas printer...

The best I can do at home is 13 inch by 19 inch. So if you want the pic printed at that size, let me know.

dd

Nice way to start the day [smiley=dankk2.gif]

I take a picture like this every trip.  Looking out across the lake.  Rule of thirds on the horizon.  Tree branches in one corner.

My horizons are never that level, literally & metaphorically.   :D

Nice picture today satchmoa! It's like you invited us all along for the trip.   [smiley=dankk2.gif]

starwatcher

[smiley=dankk2.gif]You would be more than welcome to come along ;) If I am not mistaken we were able to paddle this area for maybe a 1/2 [smiley=thumbup.gif] mile if not alittle further and bypass a 70 rod portage thanks Mr. Beaver

satchmoa wrote on Dec 17^th, 2010 at 2:32pm:

[smiley=dankk2.gif]If I am not mistaken we were able to paddle this area for maybe a 1/2 [smiley=thumbup.gif] mile if not alittle further and bypass a 70 rod portage thanks Mr. Beaver

Who's "Mr Beaver;" Is that one of our members' entry in the portage database?  ;D  Just joking, but it would be a very useful data entry for others who would want to be saved from taking a 70 rod portage that  are planning to head out your route.  ;) 

starwatcher

Very nice photo today [smiley=thumbup.gif] [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Lord...Lynda that is a pretty shot...would that happen to be at Sawbill?

Ditto; Nice photo Lynda!  My bet is near Ely.  

starwatcher

Great shot !
Is it just me, or does today's POD have sorta a Christmas wreath look 8-)

looks like my first ever solo camp on Pickel

My bet is Kekekabic Lake  :)

Actually it is a shot from our 2009 trip, Alton Lake campsite,  day one, sunset.

Never thought of it in a Christmas wreath context, but I suppose I can see the possibility. . . .

Thanks for the compliments.   It is a favorite of mine.

Riversend, is that a recent (this month) photo? How are the wolves doing these days?

starwatcher

That's an Otter isn't it?
Excellent shot, I hope Riversend reconsiders and returns to the QJ.

As usual, the POD is snowed in until the first or second of 2011. Sorry.

Bored? Go through some of YOUR canoe camping type pictures and maybe send what you think is interesting if not so downright beautiful you want to share it with everyone to:
pod@quietjuurney.com  (except spell quietjourney right ;) )

Thanks in advance!

solotripper wrote on Dec 23^rd, 2010 at 6:09pm:

That's an Otter isn't it? Excellent shot, I hope Riversend reconsiders and returns to the QJ.

Yes, it looks like an otter, I was thinking that they must hibernate or something and thought that the photo must have been taken early winter.

I didn't realize Riversend abandoned ship; maybe he felt left out of the plan for a rondezous in the "big city", I know he doesn't like crowds.

starwatcher

Quote:

I was thinking that they must hibernate or something and thought that the photo must have been taken early winter.

I saw a PBS special over the weekend about winter in Yellowstone park.
The otters there stayed active all year. I believe otter fur is one of the warmest furs there is? They have 2 layers of fur, a coarse outer layer, and a fine dense inner one. That and a high metabolism rate keeps them active in the coldest weather. There always looking for the next meal.

All that playing serves a purpose other than just being part of their nature. Keeping moving and eating every chance they get helps them survive those frigid conditions.

Otter fur is of the highest caliber. It was somewhat frowned upon historically because the pelts are so heavy.

I know that mink leave a bloodbath in their wake, basically killing everything and anything that gets in their way. This provides a lot of food for other animals especially during the winter as the mink can only eat so much. I have read where mink can leave 3 or 4 fish on the ice and move on. I'm not so sure about otters though if they have the same disposition. I would think not or at least I have never heard as much. Otters are a fine and smart animal indeed though.

Otters here in N. MN are seen occasionaly.  I see them only in winter, and all winter in fact (this far S).  They really get active towards March melt.  
So I'm guessing (?) they do not hibernate?

I have seen them early in the morning, first light, and then at dusk, during the summer months...leading the youngsters out for the day or back "home"...they bark like a lap dog half asleep...one bark at time. They are, from my experience, shy but very inquisitive; so I have had success "squeaking" at them like a injured rabbit to stop them and get them to bob up and down in the water. Another thing that I noticed about the otter is they seem to have very good eye sight and cue in on any movement. Moving water in the winter would be a fine spot to sit and wait for a gander ;)

Hmmm... I've seen several otters on various canoe trips in July & August over the last 10 years, most sightings occuring mid-day no more than 20' from shore in less than 6' deep water.  Pair on Crooked near the old Buick, pair on Cutty, one very inquisitive guy on the north pointing penninsula on Agnes (Q.) and a pair on Moose Lake near the twin islands.  They never seemed very shy (for wildlife) and were inquisitive and playful.

I've have similar experiences on Fall season trips.  Saw some on Nina Moose River that were very playful, inquisitive and almost comical; swimming and darting around within a few feet of the canoes.

starwatcher

I've seen easily over a dozen bears but only 1 otter on trips.

It's Baaack!

I think I saw one of these once and maybe heard others on one maybe two occasions. Funny what's rare and what's common to different people at different times.

Last crownland trip down the Redhorse from Thompson lake.  Saw one on end of beaver dam I was floating towards....it didn't see me coming/drifting.  It was at end of dam where chute of running water was cut through.  I started to get uncomfortably close, very close in fact.  At about 15 yds I flinched and it was over.  Turned on a dime and trotted back into the woods off the dam.  Just seconds later I floated the chute just inches from where it was.

I heard them all over Redhorse lake.  Made me wonder how many were watching me from the shadows?

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Did not find the audio that I have heard/seen before...sort of like a staccato fox bark.

The POD is back!
I just reviewed a few days I missed -

r.e.: great wolf shots - thanks for sharing!
Lynda: loved the lilly!

Happy New Year all!

-Tom

Loving this series of pics [smiley=thumbup.gif] being i was just there in october ;)

Quote:

I've seen easily over a dozen bears but only 1 otter on trips. ... Funny what's rare and what's common to different people at different times.

The reverse for me. Have never seen a bear in Quetico, but have seen otters. All in September: in the Sturgeon Narrows, on Sarah, on North Bay ...

- kypaddler

I love the Kelso...Thanks for reminding me Lynda [smiley=dankk2.gif]

I like the clouds and reflections on the Kelso photo, reminds me of summer.

starwatcher

What a wonderful series of photos Lynda!
You have an eye for the understated ;)

Nice set of pictures. I really liked the cedars and the shots along the river.

Fascinating spider photo.

-- kypaddler

Thanks.  Taken from the canoe as we were at the end of where we could go on our quest to get up that little narrow Kelso River stream to Steak Lake.  We were about to turn around when I said "STOP!  Photo OP!!" and then had to change lenses, try to focus in the bright sun, etc. etc.  Spartan1 is very patient sometimes.   ;)  Spider was right beside the canoe.

Incredible picture.

No offense to the object of your photographic interest but I hate spiders. I've seen many of these in the Q and actually had one running along a ledge at water level towards my canoe as I was fighting/releasing a nice Smallie. Damn near dumped the canoe. If anyone was on or near Bud Lake when that happened I'm sure they heard me. I've only heard of one instance of someone walking on water but I came close to repeating that feat.

To refer to a separate post, waking up with one of those creatures stairing back at me would be a trip buster because I would surely destroy the tent and probably break at least one necessary limb making a hasty retreat. I would much rather deal with a bear. ;D

JChief wrote on Jan 12^th, 2011 at 2:58am:

Incredible picture. No offense to the object of your photographic interest but I hate spiders.

I'm with you chief. I find them utterly fascinating and yet I am repelled all at the same time. I am amazed at the size of some of the wolf spiders in canoe country. On this past summers trip my buddy went to put on his mukluks in the morning and a whopper spidey crawled out and up his thigh. I'm not sure which one of us yelled the loudest ;D. He batted it off and then squished it before I could stop him. Not much sense in ending its life at that point I reckon.

You mean like these?

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 I took this one on HoHo's dock on East Twin Lake, but these are quite prevalent in canoe country.  These are the ones you might see on land.

Actually the one in the POD is a water spider, and I don't think it would be around to threaten you unless you were in the water.

I used to be terrified of all bugs.  It was a family joke, "Lynda's bug scream".  That is one thing that the combination of canoe-tripping and macro-photography has effected a huge change in my makeup.  I now can see the beauty in the small creatures, and I find them actually to be the most fascinating of photographic subjects.  In my last trip report I had a photo of a pine bark beetle that I think is a classic.  
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Upon further review, and I am never typically in the area of a killer spider long enough for much more than a quick glance, the picture above is the menace that tried to cut my life short. I was unaware that the water spider in yesterday's POD even existed. Now I now I am not safe on land or sea. Are there any flying spiders up there as well :question I may have to take up hard water visits to the Q and settle on ice fishing.

Nice photos Lynda; they make the hair stand up on my neck! :o

I believe the correct name for them is fisher (ing) or dock spiders.

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I understand that they dive under water and catch minnows and tadpoles for food.

starwatcher.

SP2's,

"Dock" spider pic is indeed the critter that run around on the shore.
This one ran across my ( fortunately) gloved hand on Quetico lake as I was getting some split firewood next to fire pit.

I'm not afraid of creepy crawler's, A buddy has tarantulas, but I'd never seen a spider that big in the North country and was so surprised/shocked, I'll admit I screamed like a little girl :-[

I never use to check shoes for overnight guests, but I do now ;)

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Yes, Karl (Starwatcher) the dock spiders are often out on the rocks and I love to see them/photograph them.  I am currently looking for a photo I took of one that seemed to live on the latrine at one of our campsites.  It was the biggest one I had ever seen, and I will admit it would give me pause when I had to visit the biffy.  I did, however, make its acquaintance and learn to adjust to its presence. . . . ;)  

As I recall, we stayed at that site for two nights and it was still there when we left.  I have a rule that I don't kill any insect in the canoe country unless it is on my body, in my tent, or is a mosquito/tick/blackfly.   ;D

I don't believe that the webs like in today's POD's are made by the dock spiders, but I could be wrong.  Spartan1 was a dear to work with me to get the web photos--they were taken from the canoe and involved a bunch of "hold it more still!", "a little closer", "a little more to the right", etc.  It's really hard to photograph a web without having the camera on a tripod.  And that was before I had an IS lens.

Speaking of large spiders near water...I was fishing the shores of the Crow River in Rockford MN when in the rocks I saw the largest spider I've ever seen in the outdoors. This thing had a body the size of a half dollar. I just stood there staring while another spider fell on my neck from a branch above me. I am not scared of spiders but I was for a day or two afterwards.

The preceding posts are another exciting episode from: "Tales from the Dock Side". BWAAHHAAHHAA  ;D

Sorry if we're boring you, Old Salt.  It's winter, we've got cabin fever, and we're going buggy.   ;D ;D

Trust me Lynda, I am never in the vicinity of spiders long enough to kill them. I can deal with any other creatures/critters and certainly subscribe to the live and let live philosophy. My fear started on a Canadian fishing trip as a kid trying to line a boat (not a canoe) up some rapids. I put my hand on a log to maintain balance and had a spider, much like the dock spider, crawl across and completely cover it. I let go of the rope and after regaining composure had to swim after the boat. I did walk on water that day and have been terrfied of the beasts ever since.

Spartan2 wrote on Jan 13^th, 2011 at 12:06am:

Sorry if we're boring you, Old Salt.  It's winter, we've got cabin fever, and we're going buggy.   ;D ;D

Boring? Hardly. When I go stir-crazy, It just gets weird... Sorry!

Just because I mentioned it before, here is the infamous "biffy spider" that kept company with me for two days at a campsite on Lac La Croix in 2005.   I think it was probably the biggest one I have ever seen, but it wasn't at all aggressive towards me.  We played a game of "live and let live".

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It was on one of the new boxes.

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A big one to be sure, now recorded for posterity ;)

Spartan2 wrote on Jan 12^th, 2011 at 5:40pm:

Yes, Karl (Starwatcher) the dock spiders are often out on the rocks and I love to see them/photograph them.  I am currently looking for a photo I took of one that seemed to live on the latrine at one of our campsites.  It was the biggest one I had ever seen, and I will admit it would give me pause when I had to visit the biffy.  I did, however, make its acquaintance and learn to adjust to its presence. . . . ;)   As I recall, we stayed at that site for two nights and it was still there when we left.  I have a rule that I don't kill any insect in the canoe country unless it is on my body, in my tent, or is a mosquito/tick/blackfly.   ;D I don't believe that the webs like in today's POD's are made by the dock spiders, but I could be wrong.  Spartan1 was a dear to work with me to get the web photos--they were taken from the canoe and involved a bunch of "hold it more still!", "a little closer", "a little more to the right", etc.  It's really hard to photograph a web without having the camera on a tripod.  And that was before I had an IS lens.

I jest Lynda, but that might have been enough to get me to move to a new campsite.  :o  I agree that they don't spin an orb web.

Those are some of the biggest spiders in nature.  I'm not fond of spiders, although I know they serve a huge purpose in nature. I've never been bit by a fisher spider and I agree that I wouldn't kill any critter unless it invaded my space.

I worked on a project in east Texas this summer and had spiders everywhere;  black widows, brown recluse, those huge garden spiders and banana spiders; I made sure I never placed my work clothes or equipment on my bedding.  I had a plant in Oklahoma and used to see tarantulas crossing the road when you drove down the country roads; looks like a huge guerilla hand running across the road.  :o

By the way, thanks for the photos; it helps keep my sanity during the dead of winter.  ;)

starwatcher

Very nice picture this morning..... [smiley=thumbup.gif] I bet it doesn't look like that there now ;)

My favorite POD theme; Misty Mornings.  Thanks Lynda! :)

That is a really cool shot today!
Thanks Lynda.
-Tom

Somewhere in the distance, I can hear a lone Wolf howling 8-)

Nice one Lynda...there are a few more up on the trail between Wine and Mug. The boy and I always have a chat about this one, the "standing rock".

We didn't realize it was there or I might have made an effort to get a better photo.  This one was just shot quickly from the canoe, and I needed a better angle.  After we got home and I did a little research, I discovered that there is chatter about this subject and I wished we had checked it out a bit more.

We just looked up and said, "Wow!  Look at that!" and I snapped one shot.

Yep, there is a lot of "WOW" in that spot. For us it is it has become the threshold of the portal into the wilderness, that is part of the magic of the Kelso and the beauty that is there. Getting out there is a bit mucky when the water is low.