Cottage Life said, "Unlike most birds, great blue herons have a special modified sixth vertebrae. This allows them to curl their necks and quickly strike, snake-like, at prey, then swallow their catches—often fish or frogs—whole."

If you have them around the cottage it's a treat to watch them hunt. 

What is your favorite thing about these incredible birds?

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One of the frogs you might hear is well named – the spring peeper!

Cottage Life said, "Spring peepers are one of our tiniest amphibians—smaller than the diameter of a quarter—but their call, a high-pitched, baby chicken-like 'peep,' is audible from at least half a kilometre away."

Keep an eye and an ear out this year. 

The post Have you listened for the spring peepers? appeared first on Kawartha Waterfront Realty.

Outside Online said to start small, "Tie a big, bushy fly on the end of the tippet and clip off the hook, then cast with your hand over your child’s until they learn how far forward and back the rod should go—the classic ten-o’clock, two-o’clock motion. Set a dinner plate on the grass, and see if your kid can hit it."

Then move up to a calm body of water and try again! It's alright if they don't get it right away, really fly fishing is about the calm, the company, and the memories. 

The post Fly fishing with kids appeared first on Kawartha Waterfront Realty.

If you do have a vegan guest coming to visit, have fun with it! There are plenty of delicious options to pop on the grill. 

Vegan Runner Eats said, "Flavorful veggie-based finger foods and fun dips are always a great addition to summertime potlucks and cookouts."

Click the link for veggie-based foods that everyone will enjoy!

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Possibly the easiest to find is the monarch caterpillar with their black, white, and yellow stripes. Cottage Life said, "They're often found feeding on milkweed, a plant with poisonous sap which, in turn, makes the monarch caterpillar poisonous to predators."

You can also search for the bright cecropia moth caterpillar or the fascinating crowned slug moth caterpillar. 

This is a great activity to try with kids! Have fun!

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MyKawartha shared a story of a great blue heron that caught a big fish! They said, "This fish was over two feet long. Not huge for a muskie, but for a heron this was a big fish. I wondered how he was going to turn this fish and get it down his throat, if that was at all possible. But do you know what; he did it with ease, as if he did this every day."

Great blue herons are just one of many incredible species you can observe around here. What are your favorite birds to watch? Which ones do you see on your property? 

The post Cool birdwatching moment in Kawartha Lakes appeared first on Kawartha Waterfront Realty.

There are so many amazing places to ride in Ontario, make this year a great one for road trips!

Cottage Life said, "Arguable the ultimate cottage country tour, the Georgian Coastal Route takes you toward the turqoise blue waters of Bruce Peninsula National Park, across Manitoulan Island, and to the base of the La Cloche mountains."

The Grand Algoma Route, Highlands Loop, and Niagara Parkway Ride are fantastic options as well!

The post Where to take your motorcycle this year appeared first on Kawartha Waterfront Realty.

Winter is also an awesome time to get out and see some wildlife like cardinals and hawks!

If you haven't yet – make a fancy hot chocolate or cook up some comfort food. Campfires, game nights, and all around acting like a kid again are what winter is all about.

Cottage Life said, "Instead of staying inside every day, griping about the weather, and wishing your life away, why not pull out some warm winter gear, bundle up, and learn to enjoy all of the little things the season has to offer?"

The post Have you done all of these things this winter? appeared first on Kawartha Waterfront Realty.

If you're heading out on the ice it should be at least 20cm thick – don't guess. Also, always wear some sort of flotation device and don't go out alone!

Remember, it's not just common courtesy to mark your hole. It's mandatory and it could save someone's life!

Cottage Life said, "Each time you abandon a hole, be sure to clearly mark it with a large branch or another object that’s clearly visible from afar."

Here's to great fishing this winter!

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