The Lake at Dusk
Our first night at Forest House. The lake was surreal. The tiny island in front of the lodge reflects into the serene waters.
A Gentle Mist
As the sun sets, a gentle mist rises on the water in the most eastern part of the lake.
Evening Paddle
Ev sets out for an evening paddle. Her destination, the mist.
Almost There
Ev approaches the mist on this calm, serene evening.
In the Mist
Ev enjoys the quiet solitude of a solo paddle on this misty summer's evening.
Lodge from the Lake
Forest House, as it appears from the south side of the lake.
A Simple Elegance
The magnificent architecture of Forest House merges seemlessly with the pristine Boreal Forest.
Another View
Another view of the majestic main lodge.
View from the Vegetable Gardens
The main lodge as viewd from the tiered vegetable gardens behind it.
Vegetable Gardens
The first level of tiered vegetable gardens. The two guest cabins lie at the top of the gardens.
Vegetable Gardens
The vegetable gardens, as the sit on the way to the guest cabins.
Vegetable Gardens
The raised beds are clearly visible in this shot.
The Sauna House
The sauna house overlooking the lake.
View from the Sauna
The view of the lake from the little deck in front of the sauna house.
View from the Bench
View of the lake from a perfectly placed bench, just down the hill, to the west of the main lodge at Forest House.
Delicious Treats with a View
Ev always kept the shelf in the bay window overlooking the lake well-stocked with freshly-baked breads and deserts.
Nothing but View
My view from inside the living room of the main lodge, as Velda sits outside on the deck enjoying her view.
Relaxing
Velda enjoys the beautifyl July day by reading, basking in the sun, and revelling in the view, as she sits on the deck of the sauna house.
A Little Weeding
Velda exrecises her "green thumb" by doing a little work in the vegetable gardens, just a few feet away from our cabin.
The Forest House Flower Gardens
Magnificent flower blooms this far north? A reality at Forest House.
The Forest House Flower Gardens
The Forest House Flower Gardens
The Forest House Flower Gardens
Chasing Butterflies
As I was sitting on the deck of my cabin, I watched this Yellow Monarch butterfly land in the gardens nearby. I grabbed my camera, and managed to capture this solitary photo before I spooked it.
Searching for the Perfect Dragonfly Photo
I don't know why, but Dragonflies are my favorite insects. Once again, sitting on my cabin deck, I watched this Dragonfly set down in the grass. I like this photo, but I was still searching for the perfect Dragonfly pic.
The Perfect Dragonfly Photo
Sitting on the deck of my cabin, I watched this absolutely magnificent Dragonfly land in a flower bed, about fifty feet from my chair. I love the detail and colours in this picture. Finally....the PERFECT Dragonfly photo! (at least, to me!)
My Favorite Log
This is a sepia-toned, black and white rendition of my favorite log at Forest House. It is a structural post outside our cabin.
Simple Beauy
My attempt at an Ansel Adams rendition of my favorite part of my favorite log at Forest House.
My Buddy the "Bug"
This guy landed on my favorite Forest House log, as I was sitting on the deck of my cabin. Initially, I thought my stalking technique was world-class, as I managed to take several photos of him. I was humbled, when six hours later, he was still calmly sitting there.
My Buddy the "Bug" Part Deux
Another shot of the perfect insect model.
Perched Outside the Lodge
My wife, Velda was head "tracker" for this shot. She saw him, followed him, and guided me to him when I finally had the camera ready. The photo was taken from inside the lodge, where we were enjoying breakfast.
Picking Labrador Tea
Crystal, (foreground) and Ev, (back) harvest fresh Labrador Tea. When brewed, it makes a gentle, soothing beverage, touted to have medicinal value.
Exchanging Recipes
Crystal, (left) and Ev, (right) discuss the Labrador Tea brewing process, while my wife, Velda (back) looks on.
Enjoying the View
Dave drinks in the beauty of the Boreal Forest.
Admiring Pink Lady's Slippers
Dave and Ev examine some of the many gorgeous Lady's Slippers we had the good fortune to find and photograph on our hike.
The Troops on the Trail
Dave and Crystal lead, as Ev and Velda follow behind on the rich, lichen and moss carpeted trail.
The Lush Boreal Forest Floor
The hiking trails, for the most part around Forest House, are carpeted with a thick layer of moss and lichen.
Velda and Ev on the Trail
Velda and Ev enjoying their walk through the Boreal Forest.
Fire and Folk Songs
Ev picks away on her banjo, while Crystal, Dave, and Velda enjoy the music, the fire, and the view of the lake at dusk.
A Little "Art"
I used a digital technique to fade all hues except the reds to black and white, hopefully, drawing the "eye" to the fire.
The Magic of the Fire
A silhouette of Dave, as the he reflects on the magic of the fire.
Crystal and the Fire
Crystal's pensive face is gently lit by the campfire.
A Magical Night
The moon was almost full, the lake calm, and glassy, and the company fantastic. The perfect way to spend a Forest House evening.
Our View from the Fire
This was taken on July 4, 2009, at around 11:00 pm. In a few short weeks, the skies in this vista will almost be pitch black by this time of night, with a brilliant blanket of stars so close, you could almost reach up and touch them. Northern Lights are a ditinct possibility, in the late summer months. The mid-August skies also feature awe-inspiring meteor showers.
Our Second Hike
Velda, (foreground) and Ev walk past a spectacular moss and lichen covered rock face on our second hike at Forest House, on a trail leading us around the lake, to the south.
Dining Out
I captured this wasp having a snack, with the main lodge still in view, as we began our second hike.
Crossing the Stream
Ev helps Velda across the tiny stream in a low, lush, almost tropical valley we explored on our hike to the south side of the lake.
Shades of the Jungle in the Boreal Forest
When we descended into this, the lowest part of the trail, it was almost as if we were in a tropical jungle.
Going Home
It was our last morning at Forest House. Ev took our gear to the portage leading to the lake where the plane would be picking us up by canoe. Velda and I, reluctant to leave, chose to walk a hiking trail from the lodge to the portage. Velda greets Ev at the portage.
A Last Minute Gift
During our stay at Forest House, I had been chasing butterflies like a man possessed, only able to snap one shot of a Yellow Monarch. As we waited for the plane, this willing specimen wafted across the portage from Forest House, landing within a few feet of me. He/she posed like a "model on the runway", as I snapped away. What a last-minute gift! Thank You Lord!
Our Last Moments at Forest House
Velda and Ev enjoy last fleeting moments of the serenity, the peacefullness, the view, the sense of "oneness" only the northern Boreal Forest can provide, as we wait for the plane.
Our Taxi Arrives
Les Wilson, the same amicable pilot from Osprey Air who flew us into Forest Houe arrives to pick us up.
A Sad Goodbye
Les takes on us one last spin over Forest House. We will never forget this experience!
