Every being has it purpose here in Nature!
The Hummingbirds have returned and are having a feeding frenzy here at the feeder. It is amazing how these little creatures can be so territorial and possessive of their feeding station. Although all get their fill, they will case others away from their food source. For little birds, they can give hours of entertainment with their aerial skills as they fend off their fellow Hummingbirds at the feeder. 
The evenings are filled with the sounds of the frogs serenading and calling for mates. 
Along with all the entertaining creatures in Nature, the Spring also brings the annual hatching of the Black Flies and Mosquitoes.
With living so close to a swamp, there can be an abundance of these annoying creatures.
However, there is a product that can make this time of the year bearable.
Thermacell is a unique product that once turned on will keep these annoying bugs away. It can be used outside or inside with great effectiveness and does not produce harmful smoke  that burning the Mosquito coils do.
It has no sound or smell and is a must for those of us that live here in the forest.
The Winter cleanup is just about finished here with the kennel cleaned, the harnesses all washed/readied for the next season and the vehicles being serviced.
Sunday was a once in five week run to St. Thomas (close to Joliette a 2 hour trip one way from here) for 20 x 55 lbs frozen blocks of beef/chicken mix for feeding the dogs. At the same time, some human supplies are also picked up saving another trip out of here.
It is only once every 5 weeks, but it seems like such a chore to leave the comfort of the forest to endure civilization.
We finally had a little rain last night. But, not near enough for the very dry forest.
This is a very dangerous time for forest fires, especially with more city people coming up to enjoy the Nature.
Even with all the snow through the Winter, the forests are very dry now and vulnerable to fires.
The dogs are enjoying their off time chasing Butterflies, soaking up the Sun and playing with each other.
​Until next week.......

This has been a week of reflection and appreciation of the beautiful life I have the privilege of living here with the Nature of the forest!
Springtime is the rebirth of forest, the indigenous species: the plants, the trees and all of the forest creatures are starting the new circle of life. 
To be able to sit quietly to embrace the warming of the morning Sun to the peace/solitude of the nightly serenade of the frogs.
Tonight was especially beautiful resulting from a gentle rain caressing the forest.Its relaxing sound and the scent of freshness in the air.
How fortunate to be here and way from the concrete, the asphalt, the pollutants of the civilized world and all its anxieties.
Am I in love with the Forest?
Yes, I am!
I am living the life I was meant to live!
How fortunate!
Until next week.......

Things can happen quickly here with nice warm days and very cool nights, all the ice on the lake disappeared here in one week.
Along with the weather change, the forest is coming alive with the return of the Canada Geese heading back North after wintering in the warmer altitudes. The sounds of Woodpeckers, Songbirds and of coarse the Frogs starting their nightly mating songs.
It is a real pleasure to sit outside in the morning and late evening, having a coffee, listening to the sounds of Nature only!
Last night at dusk, I heard a lone Wolf call out to me to make its presence known.
The dogs are relaxing and enjoying the warm/sunny days and cool nights. Occasionally getting excited to chase Butterflies fluttering around their area. 
Right now is that quiet time before the Summer Cottagers arrive.
I was asked the other day,"What is your favorite season?" and I replied, "All of them!"
Remember to take care with fires in the forest at this time of year as they are very dry after the Winter.
​Until next week........

It has been a very eventful week here at Miortuk starting with the departure of Alex finishing her stay here.
Alex left here on Tuesday to head back to Paris.
Alex will be sorely missed here by the dogs and myself.
She is a very amazing person being able to handle all of the challenges here since her arrival in the middle of January.
Alex did a great job here with the dogs and assisting me with the training and kennel duties.
Merci Alex!!!
It was lucky Alex left here when she did, as the the Spring Thaw here has caused some sever flooding in the village of Saint Michel Des Saints and making the Manawan Road from here to the village very challenging with area being flooded making it very dangerous to navigate.
Luckily here, I have plenty of provisions for the dogs and myself to wait out the flooding.
As you can see from the photos, the lake's ice is starting to melt.
We are high enough here, I hope, to be spared flooding. 
Most of the snow has melted this week with half the kennel being bare down to the sand base. The other half only gets the morning sun causing it to be the last to melt.
Thanks to Denis Tremblay, we redid the kennel last year adding new sand causing it to dry up fast.
On the positive side, it is very quiet here with only the sounds of the newly arrived song birds and this morning the first flock of Canada Geese migrating back North after the Winter.
​Until next week......