ICE OUT - ALMOST !

The forces of nature were at work today on Leech Lake. We awoke with the lake ice pushed to the north from my vantage point, which is the "Big Lake" looking east towards Goose Island. This afternoon after the rain began the wind switched to the north and is now pushing the ice back to the south. Now at dusk on Sunday April 26 I see no ice between my home and Goose Island. I also heard my first loon of the season this afternoon. It will still be a couple of days before the officials will declare "ice out" because Walker Bay is always later with it's deep cool waters. It's always a special day when you can see open water. This is about two weeks earlier than it was last year.

In addition to the first loon we continue to see the migration north of many birds. It is surprising how the birds know when ice out happens, or is about to happen. The geese are pairing off to begin their spring duties. The first greens of spring grass continue to sprout along the roadway and in ditches. If we have some rains and a few warm days this week we will continue to see things green up. The tops of the birch, poplar and aspen trees along the road are beginning to show green. The trees along the lake will be a week or so later because of the temperature difference.

Two weeks until "Fishing Opener" when the north country will really begin to come to life. Have to remember to buy my fishing license for this year. I have a lot of outdoor work to do before I can seriously think about fishing.