August Mist

Last weekend we had a good dosing of rain at the Lake.  Early Saturday morning 2.6 inches fell in just two hours.  It was a real deluge!  We had additional rainfall off and on, but were spared from severe weather when a strong hailstorm split and went around us.  Sunday the humidity soared after the rain, and a foggy mist settled over the lake in the late afternoon.

Rain showers cancelled out the sunsets for the weekend until late Sunday.  Then, for a few brief moments, a brilliant strip of magenta pink edged the horizon after the sun dipped below the trees.

Pastel sunset

The evening sky was filled with the most delicate colors when we were last at Smith Lake.  Soft yellow, peach, baby blue and lavender were delightfully scattered across the sky a few minutes after the sun set behind the gathering rain clouds.

The following day we received a good all-day soaking.  Three inches of rain had fallen by the time we checked the rain gauge in the evening.  The lawns had been getting quite dry, so it was a welcome rain.  It was an excellent day to complete a few indoor activities that we had been ignoring, and enjoy some family time.

Brush strokes in the sky

This past weekend the clouds took center stage at sunset.  They crisscross the sky like hasty brush strokes from the hand of an unseen artist.  The lake and sky were washed in lovely purple hues, so different from the brilliant yellows and oranges of recent days.

Wildflower Wednesday

Wildflowers continue to delight us at Smith and Holt Lakes.  Sweet Joe-Pye-Weed with it's tightly bunched pinkish purple flowers attracts the Monarch butterflies to our gardens.  Bright yellow Wild Lettuce cheerfully bobs it's head in the summer breeze.

A party of loons

No, I don't mean the Lake Association Annual Picnic.  Well, maybe....

It was wonderful to see so many neighbors at the picnic and get to know a few new friends a little better.  Thanks to all who worked to put the event together for us.

We learned some new things about loons this year.  After their first summer as babies on our Lake, they spend the next three years in the Gulf of Mexico growing up.  Then they return to our lovely Minnesota Lakes for the next few years until they reach maturity at about 7 years of age.

The groups of loons we see swimming and fishing together are 'non breeding' loons and are called a 'Party of Loons.'  So now we know that those groups of loons really ARE having a party out there.  Sounds like fun to me!

Loons can live for 30 years, so I expect the loons we see on our Lakes return year after year to spend their summers with us.  Loons are the Minnesota State Bird for a good reason.   The state has about 12,000 loons during the summer months.  Maine comes in second place with a mere 5,000.

I love hearing loon calls at sunset as our summer days at the Lake come to a close.  We all were reminded to boat very slowly through the shallow, tight turns in the potholes to protect the shoreline there where loons frequently nest right at water level.  When the nests are swamped, the birds abandon the nest.  Hopefully some 'no wake' signs can be posted again as a reminder to visitors as well.  I must admit, I don't think I've ever seen anyone racing through there.  Mostly folks are anchored and enjoying a little fishing.

Come sit a spell

The first weekend in August this year can only be described as spectacular!  Calm winds, low humidity and sunny days made for picture perfect times at the Lake.  Doesn't this look inviting?