Maple Syrup - and our Homemade Granola Recipe

Maple Syrup
Every March, Arowhon Pines places an order for 100 Litres of Muskoka maple syrup. It comes from Brooklands Farm on Buttter & Egg Road outside of Bracebridge (http://www.brooklandsfarm.ca/). Farmers Katya & John Riley keep us updated as to how the maple syrup season is progressing. Did you know that there are different grades depending on when it is harvested? There is lighter syrup at the beginning of the season, amber at the height, and dark at the end. We use amber because we both cook with it and serve it on its own. Keep an eye when buying maple syrup at a grocery store – there are "light" or grade "B" labels - these will have a diluted flavor. The best is to go to the farm and get your maple syrup direct from the producer!

Enjoy maple syrup in our HOMEMADE GRANOLA.

Arowhon Pines Homemade Granola

Keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 months.

YIELD: 10 cups

DRY MIX:

6 c organic rolled oats

1 c bran

1 c sunflower seeds

1 c wheat germ

1/2 c unsweetened coconut

1/2 c sesame seeds

WET MIX:

1/4 c maple syrup

3/4 c canola oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 TB vanilla

GARNISH:

2 oz walnuts (or other nuts of your choice), roughly chopped

1 oz raisins (washed & dried)

1 oz currants (washed & dried)

AHEAD OF TIME:

All dried fruit comes sprayed with a preservative. It's most important to always run it under cold water, agitating the fruit until water runs clear, usually several times. Drain and place on towel. Roll up for awhile, preferably the day before. Unroll to finish the drying process, pat dry. PS The taste is worth the effort!

METHOD:

- Combine dry ingredients together in large bowl.

- Combine wet ingredients in small saucepan, heat slightly and whisk thoroughly.

- Mix wet into dry and combine well.

- Spread thinly on cookie sheets.

- Bake 30 minutes at 250 deg F, (or 220 deg F in a convection oven), remove from oven, stir, and add nuts and fruit.

- Return to oven and bake 10 minutes longer or until golden.

- Takes 40 minutes, including stirring & checking every 10 minutes.

- Let cool and store in airtight containers. Serve with fresh yoghurt, fruit, and maple syrup!

Enjoy!

Discover Spring in Algonquin Park. See a Moose!

The chance encounter with a moose is real

and one of the best parts of being inside Algonquin Park.

Spring is when they are most visible. Some guests report 15 to 20 sightings per day! Moose are attracted to the slightly salty water in ditches, a result of winter highway sanding and salting. Simply drive along the Hwy 60 corridor or down our road and you will see them. At this time of year, you might have the lake or a trail to yourself!

Here are some wildlife viewing tips, tried and tested on how and when to see a moose and other wildlife.

Regular guests will tell you – get up early! Edward will prepare you a thermos of fresh coffee, then make your way by foot down one of our trails, or quietly canoe through the narrows to Lost Joe Lake. By the time the rest of the resort is awake, you will have seen an abundance of wildlife and witnessed a beautiful sunrise!

Stop. Look up and around. Put away your Arowhon cookie bag. Stop checking to see if your cell phone works.

Relax and be still. Concentrate on low-lying, wet areas like ponds, bogs or beaver meadows. Wildlife prefers these areas, and often you will get an open vista or break in the forest for great viewing.

When on a canoe, hug the shoreline to see more wildlife.

Keep a safe distance away when viewing any wildlife. Bring binoculars, especially for bird watching.

Let other guests know what you saw by writing it on our chalkboard on the verandah.

Summer Long Weekend Yoga Retreats.

For 2011:


Experience energizing yoga sessions on the main dock each morning as the mist rises off the lake. Enjoy a yoga class on a guided canoe or hiking trip during the day and wrap it up with a gentle evening session. Guests are welcome to join classes & participate in guided canoe and hiking day trips.

CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT - Celebrate Canada’s birthday by experiencing yoga within some of Canada’s pristine wildnerness. There are morning, afternoon and evening Yin yoga classes. Also available is a reflexology treatment (extra cost) to melt away all your stress. July 1 – 4,
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

CIVIC HOLIDAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT – This weekend you will have the opportunity to choose from an Ashtanga, Sivananda or Yin workshop led by professional instructors. There is the opportunity to experience a fantastic massage at the end of the day (extra cost). July 29 – August 1.
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

LABOUR DAY – Take advantage of the last long weekend of the summer and enjoy a relaxing vacation with yoga classes within the wilds of Algonquin Park. September 1 – 4, 2011.

CUSTOM YOGA RETREATS can be put together with 4 friends or more.

Visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and sign up.

Arowhon Algonquin Canoe Adventure.

FOR 2011!

Add a true Canadian experience to your stay at Arowhon Pines – a canoe trip (adventure, wilderness and wildlife!) with overnight camping in Algonquin Park, leaving from our docks. May - October.

CHARMING GUIDES will take care of everything – park permits, all food, sleeping & cooking equipment. Deluxe two night resort stay and 2 night/3 days adventure canoe trip packages, available from May to October.

GIRLS WEEK. Add some luxury to your wilderness experience and join us on our deluxe Algonquin trip package. Spend the first night at Arowhon Pines Resort, enjoying the food, activities & hospitality. Your first morning loosen up with a gentle yoga class on the dock overlooking Joe Lake to prepare you for the day. After breakfast, meet your guide and prepare to embark on your two night/3 day wilderness adventure. At the end of the trip you will return to Arowhon Pines for a hot shower, wondrous meals, and a reflexology treatment with Kendra Platt. Package Dates: July 14 - 17, Aug 4 - 7, Aug 18 – 21.

FATHER AND SON ESCAPE. Three day father and son canoe trip package and two night stay at Arowhon Pines Resort.

Please visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and dates.

Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

Here is a copy of the:  Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

The Spruce Bog Suet Feeder effect (like the Patagonia Picnic Table effect before many of you were born!) resulted in more observations this week.

Many people had great looks and photo opportunities as up to 3 or 4 Boreal Chickadees came fairly regularly to the suet at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. To see a short video clip of one of these chickadees feeding on a black sunflower seed visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/FOAPAlgonquinPark

Ruffed Grouse: One was in the Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot today.

A male Spruce Grouse was often reported near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog

Boardwalk this week. Two males displayed near two females there today, likely inspired by the mild temperatures.

There was a Wild Turkey along Highway 60 near Lake of Two Rivers on February 14, showing once again that turkeys can survive an Algonquin winter largely un-aided by people in range never occupied by the species historically.

Those who have experienced enough winter by now may be heartened to learn that some Gray Jays started building nests this week. People were seeing Gray Jays regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.

Pine Grosbeak: One was flying over near the Old Airfield today.

Red Crossbill: Six were reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 11 and a single flew over Opeongo Road at Cameron Lake Road on February 12. Two were heard calling north of km 3 on Highway 60 today.

White-winged Crossbill: A small flock was heard over Spruce Bog Boardwalk today.

Common Redpoll: At least 50 are coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders now.

Hoary Redpoll: One (and perhaps two) were briefly at the Visitor Centre feeders on February 12. A single was with 40 Common Redpolls coming to seed provided on Opeongo Road north of the bridge today.

American Goldfinch: One was with the Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre feeders today. This species has not been seen there recently.

Evening Grosbeak: A flock of 20-30 landed briefly in the trees near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 13.

American Marten: Two or three have been coming to the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk fairly regularly. One was getting sunflower seed on Opeongo Road on February 13.

River Otter: One was along Costello Creek on Opeongo Road on February 13.

Good birding this week. Please let us know what you see so we can enter your sightings in our Visitor Centre records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON

Directions:
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400.

From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park.

Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. During the week, birders may be able to enter the centre by the service entrance (far right as you face the building) to view the feeders. Contact staff for permission.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Arowhon Pines at the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

Please visit Arowhon Pines' booth at the

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

February 25 - 27

at the International Centre

6900 Airport Road, Toronto

It is Canada's largest showcase of adventure travel experiences (from weekend getaways to African safaris)as well as lots of outdoor gear - canoes, kayaks, hiking and cycling equipment & more.  There's a rock climbing wall to try out and a canoe/kayak whitewater pool!

We have some complimentary passes in our office as well as some 2 for 1 Admission passes - contact us and we can pop one in the mail for you!

We hope to see you there!

http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/

17th Annual Christmas Bird Count

The 17th annual Huntsville Christmas Bird Count was held on Tuesday, December 14. It was cold with a gusty northwest wind and it snowed in the morning. The big lakes were all open, as was most of the Muskoka River. The total species and individuals were about average.

Preliminary results show:
Total Species: 39 (average is 39)
Total Individuals: 2,481 (average is 2,899)

Noteworthy Species for the Count:
-Trumpeter Swan: male (#586) on river in Huntsville for eighth winter.
-Wood Duck: male on river in Huntsville (likely same bird as on 2009 count).
-Ring-necked Duck: female on river in Huntsville (likely same bird as on 2009 count).
-Bald Eagle: 7 (previous high was 3)
-Red-tailed Hawk: 1
-American Robin: 1
-Bohemian Waxwing: 3
-House Sparrow: 1 (first on count since 2006)
Finches:
-Pine Grosbeak: 2
-Common Redpoll: 112
-Hoary Redpoll: 1 (at feeder with 15 Common Redpolls near Penfold Lake off
Stephenson Road 12 East, south of Huntsville).
-Pine Siskin: 4
-American Goldfinch: 31
-Evening Grosbeak: 81

Thanks to all participants for a great job on a bitterly cold day.
Ron Tozer
Compiler

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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/