Diversity

We're in Grace Harbour tonight, one of a dozen or so boats. There are stern tie anchors along the shore. They weren't necessary today, but might be later in the summer when this bay fills up. After setting the anchor, we all piled in the dinghy and rowed to shore.

Former Quijote crew might remember the hike to Black Lake from this harbor. The lake is the color of tea and supports a large lily pad population. While we were admiring the lake, a loon broke the stillness with a call to its mate.

Chuck is a Canadian forester and noted the lake's forest diversity. He rattled off a half dozen tree species along the shore, including a Shore Pine (Pinas Contortas), aka the Lodge Pole Pine. Chuck says it's uncommon, thrives in dry, rocky soil. There was also birch and alder, which like boggy, moist soil. It seems where there's a diversity of soil, there's a diversity of trees.