Wednesday -- June 1, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.7     Water Temperature: 69

We had a great bunch of five-year-olds down here today and I saw an eagle. Thursday -- June 2, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6     Water Temperature: 69

Friday -- June 3, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.6     Water Temperature: 69

Usually I complain about the rain and bad weather but I'm learning to appreciate it. It means NO HELICOPTERS!

There was a dead racoon on the parkway this morning. I wonder if that means there will be less paw prints on the island.

The park service is in the proccess of painting the railing of the pedestrian bridge. Apparently there are no plans to work on the canal bridge, alas.

The honey suckle vines are really taking over the hill. We better do something or we are going to be left without any trees to shade us on the way up the path. There are also a lot of invasives taking root on the island.

Monday -- June 6, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4     Water Temperature: 73

It seems like summer arrived yesterday and the hot, humid weather had people flocking to the island to escape the heat. It really is cooler down here by the water.

I swam out to the swim float for the first time yesterday. Until now the water has been too cold for long swims but yesterday was perfect.

Tuesday -- June 7, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.7     Water Temperature: 72

It looks like the fishing is back. One recent fishermans report; two twelve inch bass, two eight inch sunfish and a carp. Another fisherman found the canal productive, catching crappy and giant carp.

Its fun to sit in the screen porch during a thunderstorm and watch all the lightning and rain.

Wednesday -- June 8, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.5     Water Temperature: 77

Most of the time it's very quiet down here at night but last night at about ten we heard quite a racket. Someone decided to have forth of July early with a barrage of fireworks.

The wood ducks eggs finally hatched and the mother duck can be see along the bank herding her little group of fuzz balls.

Thursday -- June 9, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4     Water Temperature: 78

There was a red-shouldered hawk hunting on the island this morning, I hope it catches a groundhog.

I'm worried a bout the sycamores. There is a blight similar to the one effecting the dogwoods. I think its a fungus and its preventing the sycamores from producind a lot of healthy leaves so they all look a little bare.

Friday -- June 10, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4     Water Temperature: 78

The geese must have some kind of co-op child-care system. Yesterday there was one adult escorting 16 baby geese around the island.

We were surprised to see a deer on the island yesterday. It jumped off the captains float as we came out of the house. I'm not sure if it was the same one we've seen before but we could tell it was a male by the stubs that will be antlers on top of its head.

Monday -- June 13, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.3     Water Temperature: 82

It was a busy weekend starting with a girl scout jamboree on Friday and lots of picnics throughout. I put up a large tarp for the scouts and I think I'll leave it up for the Sycamore Sleepover on the 25th.

The ground hogs seemed to have moved from under the house. I think they're afraid of living too close to the caretaker. I feel like Mr. Mcgregor in the Peter Rabbit story.

School ends this week and both my children are having friends over for end-of-the-year parties. It's a little work to host a pary but it should be fun to have the kids down here.

I saw the eagles again. Last night around seven the two of them were perched near the nest as we paddled past the island.

Tuesday -- June 14, 2005
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.4     Water Temperature: 82

Matthews brought a contractor down yesterday to look at the renovation plans and work out an estimate of costs. He also looked at replacing some of the windows in my livingroom.

Incredible sunset last night after the storm clouds blew over. The sky was a rich blue with white stratus clouds taking the highest perch contrasted with dark grey clouds in the foreground with bright pinks and oranges in the distant west. The retreating storm cloud reflected the golden light casting a glow over everything. After hours of cutting grass in the brutal heat it was so great to take a refreshing swim and and watch the sun go down.