Accessing Lower Saranac Lake Through the 2nd Pond Launch

What is one place you can access Lower Saranac Lake? Which boat launch gives you options and access to several bodies of water? It is the 2nd Pond Boat Launch. It is more than three miles south west of the village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Boat Launch

This boat launch is a busy spot. It has one of the largest parking areas I have come across in the Adirondacks with spaces for 75 cars and trailers. It also has port-a-potties. During the summer months people are employed to check boats for invasive species when entering and leaving the water.

The state boat launch at First and Second Ponds

The boat launch is on 2nd pond. When you go west you will go under the bridge on Route 3. From there you are on 1st pond.

First Pond
On Second Pond going towards First Pond.
Wildlife

Seeing wildlife is always a bonus for me. The route I took going from the 2nd Pond Launch through First Pond and into Lower Saranac Lake had a variety of wildlife to see. The ducks stayed near shore weaving in and out of plants. They are probably in survival mode due to the eagle’s presence.

A wood duck and its young. I had a hard time getting pictures of this duck as it stayed mostly in the grasses. Eagles are very active around the ponds and the lake.
Merganser Ducks
One of the eagles I saw. Two adults were on this tree. As most eagles do in this area I witnessed it going between Lower Saranac Lake and the ponds. Other lakes are nearby, so I’m sure it travels to them as well.
Lower Saranac Lake

I stayed close to shore paddling the route I took. Motorboats were frequently passing in either direction. There are numerous campsites on the islands and shore around Lower Saranac Lake. The spots are free and you can find them on Adirondack Paddler’s Map North. I also saw a few large groups of canoeists and kayakers. Both groups appeared to be camping at one of these free campsites.

I believe this was heading into Lower Saranac Lake
Lower Saranac Lake

Overall this is a location I would love to return to. I love the scenery, the multiple lake access from this launch and the chance to see a variety of wildlife. Even though it is a busy boat launch there are positive points to more people present. I would recommend staying close to the shore to avoid motor boat traffic.Get out and enjoy the Adirondack scenery and get some exercise while you do!

Miracle Max’s Minions

There are many ways people honour those dear to them that died. Some people plant a tree in their name. Others may donate to an organisation in their name. One family in Ontario honoured their son by planting a field of sunflowers in his honour.

I believe I took this at 8709 Rawlings Road in Lambton Shores, Ontario.

The family has collection boxes near the road with a sign about Max. He fought a battle his whole life against leukemia. They use the money to donate to organisations that helped them when Max was alive so they can help others. What a nice way to remember their son and give back to others.

To learn more, click on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/Miracle-Maxs-Minions-112308686805818

Merganser Ducks

On the way up to Canada to visit some relatives and on the return as well I spent a few days in the Adirondack Mountains kayaking on different lakes and ponds. One one body of water I was lucky enough to witness several types of wildlife. One bird I saw was the merganser duck.

All of these shots were in shaded areas next to shore.

The only place I have seen a merganser is on lakes in the Adirondack Mountains. One this day I saw more than one female with a trail of young. This is the one I saw in early evening. It had quite the crew with it. I never counted. but I am sure there were at least a dozen young. The other female I saw in the morning had a much smaller group following with her. I did see both groups in the morning.

Eagles were nearby.

All the ducks I saw that day stayed mostly on the shoreline in well shaded areas. Since there were eagles visiting and known to fly in and out I am sure that was for survival purposes.

I cannot tell if this was a yawn or if the duckling was making a sound.

For those of you who have never been to the Adirondack Mountains, I highly recommend it. It was mostly in the low 70s during the day and 50s at night. If you ever go, go slow and enjoy the local wildlife.

Canned Water

Are you trying to cut plastic out of your life? Are you trying to find products to reduce your reliance on plastic? I will introduce you to two alternatives to water in plastic water bottles and briefly detail why you should switch.

Reasons to Switch

Not all of us have access to good quality drinking water unfortunately. The water quality where I live is poor. Many times we have do not drink orders. The same is the case at my workplace. Also, I do not want to worry about leaving water in the car as I have a long commute.

One reason to switch to canned water is 90 percent of plastic water bottles are not recycled after they are used. Most of the material is not recyclable. It is said plastic items take many years to break down once thrown out and can cause chemicals to get into the soil and water. Too many of these plastic water bottles end up in the ocean where they affect fish and sea animals. Canned water containers are 100 percent recyclable.

Another reason you should switch to canned water is if you drink water from plastic bottles you can be exposed to the toxins from the plastic. If the bottle has been exposed to heat at any point, the toxins can get into the water and end up in your body. This can cause cancer and other issues.

An additional added bonus to having canned water is the water stays colder longer than water in plastic containers.

Liquid Death

Liquid Death sells in New York in some convenience stores. Liquid Death also has sparkling water and flavoured sparkling water. This company says the water comes from the Alps so it originates outside the U.S. The company mottos seem to be Death to Plastic and Murder Your Thirst, hence the name. The art on the cans is kind of cool, however it resembles a beer can. I needed to explain to numerous people at work it was canned water and show them the can. I have not found this in Sam’s Club or any other bulk seller locally. Some sell Liquid Death on Amazon for cheaper than a convenience store with free shipping.

Rain

Rain is from a source in Georgia, so it is U.S. origin. The great thing about this company is if you order three 24 can cases, they will ship for free. The convenience stores that carry it jack the price up substantially. I have not found it available in Sam’s Club or any other bulk seller locally. I have ordered this directly from the company two times with no issues. They shipped both times through UPS.

Below is a link to buy from Rain:

https://responsiblyrain.com/collections/all

The thought of chemicals getting into my body and the fact plastic bottles are not recyclable for the most part was enough to get me to switch. I have seen canned water in England and in Massachusetts but only in seaside areas in the past. I was happy these options started to be available. Both Liquid Death and Rain taste good, but I prefer Rain. I am hoping more companies make the switch to canned water.

I did not get paid for writing this article.

Great Blue Heron

Is this a baby? I had heard one baby was out of the nest. What do you think? The story is these herons fight a lot. One may have fallen out. If this is a baby it is doing better than its siblings still in the nest. Sink of swim it is feeding itself it appears. I did not see the parents drop anything off for this one. I visited this one by kayak.

It was at the water’s edge at low tide.
It appeared to be about the same size as the ones in the nest. It did not fly, but stayed in the mud flats area at the water’s edge. It seemed unfazed by me.
This may be the same one later on in the day. It stayed on a pile of wood at the water’s edge. It did not fly and spent most of the time preening.

What is your verdict? Youngster? Or not?

Product Photography Soap 2

I worked on more photos this week for a relative. Let me know what you think. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Thanks!

Sandalwood Rose 1
Sandalwood Rose 2
Sandalwood Rose 3
Sandalwood Rose 4
Charcoal Lavender
Charcoal Lemon

If you are in Canada, I hope you enjoy the rest of your extended Canada Day weekend. If you are in the U.S. Happy Independence Day!

Product Photography- Soap

Again I am trying something new. I am helping out a relative by taking some product photography shots. These are some of the ones I took.

Rose Soap
Oatmeal Lavender
Oatmeal Lavender Soap
Eucalyptus Lemon Soap
Citrus Cedar Sage

I have two favourite shots: the rose soap and the oatmeal lavender on wood. Do any of these catch your eye? I would like to know. It may help me improve.

Daytime Owlet

I had Monday off for a new bank holiday. What do I do on a holiday? If I have time I hike and see if I can spot owls or their owlets.

Owlet on a lower branch. None of my owl pictures are in the raw. I don’t know how to open these new Canon generated raw files.

Luckily I found two of the three owlets on lower branches. They planted themselves on this tree for a few hours. I got a lot of nice pictures out of it. One seems to stay well hidden now. I look at him as the designated driver. Instead of not drinking to stay safe and keeping everyone else safe he stays well hidden to stay safe. Or am I wrong about this and the third one is more shy?

Buck With Velvety Antlers

Bucks are rare to come across on a hike in New York. It is rare to even see them when driving. You normally will see does and fawns. I am excited I got the chance two times to see this guy from a distance on hikes before sunset.

It appears he has an outer velvety coating on his antlers. They almost look glued on or fake. I wonder if this is a teenager or full grown adult. Anyone have any idea? I have seen it with one other deer, a female both times. If you are in the U. S. enjoy your bank holiday tomorrow (Juneteenth) if you have off.

Flying Owlets

This week I got to see the babies a few times. They are like little children on sugar when they are awake. They fly from branch to branch following each other. It looks like they are chasing each other in a game of tag. They don’t linger on trees too long before they take flight again while they are awake.

Peek-A-Boo! A baby barred owlet in view and one of its siblings hiding behind some leaves.
Sibling flew off.
Perched on a broken branch.
Flying from tree to tree.
Screeching for food. At least one of them got either a mole or vole that night.

BARRED OWLET SOUND

Click on the audio file below to hear the noise barred owlets make.

Good-bye baby owl!

Do owlets have ADHD? With all the flying they do while they are awake I wonder how many rodents their parents need to catch for them a day.