The 1000 Islands by Ian Coristine

Wallpaper March 2010

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

It would seem that many of you need to get out a little more to explore this summer. Only a few clever souls were able to identify this scene, but in truth, it is a tricky one. It is Crossover Island, famous for its historic lighthouse, but with it totally hidden behind the tree at the left end of the island, it’s little surprise so few identified it. Kudos to those who did, including my good neighbors, the Toltons.

More...

Wallpaper February 2010

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

There were no shortage of submissions offering stories identifying last month’s image. One that I’m sure will resonate with many of you, paints the picture of a little boy in a tiny boat enjoying summer adventures in the narrow rifts and gaps around Trois Iles in the Lost Channel. That little boy now has a somewhat larger boat, providing quite different adventures, though I suspect his earlier ones are the ones he cherishes most:

More...

Wallpaper January 2010

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

No shortage of correct responses identifying last month's image. It is of course St. Brendan's Church at Rockport, perched on a bluff above a small harbor well known to diners at the Boathouse Country Inn which offers one of the finest dining views on the River from their harbor-side terrace.

More...

Wallpaper December 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

It seems I have been overly tough on you. Two months in a row the images have stumped everyone. In truth, last month’s image was particularly difficult, because the view is limited and shares no definitive landmarks.

More...

Wallpaper November 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

So does this mean I won? The last screen saver I shared with you back in May stumped everyone! I don’t remember that ever happening before.

I have to admit the aerial view makes this place look entirely different than it does from “terra firma.” The silhouetted trees in the foreground aren’t on an island, they’re on a point. It’s Kring Point State Park. Perhaps some of you will now recognize it. I don’t know much about this area as I was hoping you’d fill me in about it, but Goose Bay lies beyond, this just a few miles downstream from Alexandria Bay.

More...

Wallpaper May 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I continue to be surprised by how many manage to identify a scene I never expect will be recognized. This is the exact opposite of the view boaters see while passing the Sifton Estate just downstream from Browns Bay Provincial Park.

More...

Wallpaper April 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Last month’s shot of the Brockville Narrows is particularly meaningful to me. When I first flew up the River on a random flight with a couple of friends in 1992, this scene was my first glimpse of the Thousand Islands. As you know, it had an incredibly profound impact on me, changing the course of my life. A serendipitous accident.

More...

Wallpaper March 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Whenever I think I've succeeded in finding an image that is obscure enough or from a sufficiently different perspective to escape detection, I'm always amazed when several correct responses inevitably surface. Such is the case with last month's image which also produced some interesting stories, making the decision a tough one. Dave Montrois takes it by a whisker for sharing this:

More...

Wallpaper February 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

I almost had you fooled last month. Surprisingly few correct answers came in despite the fact this is same area featured in the December 2005 wallpaper. The only difference is that this time it's snowing - hard, which made it tough to keep the lens dry.

I’ve always seen this spot as classic Thousand Islands. It’s the Lost Channel, named for an incident that occurred here on August 14, 1760. If you aren’t familiar with the story and have my first book available, page 41 will explain.

More...

Wallpaper January 2009

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:26:37 GMT

I've always been drawn to this wonderfully photogenic grouping of islands in Chippewa Bay. I have made a point of photographing them in a wide variety of light and conditions, but this shot came by chance when I was out flying with a friend in his own Challenger.

More...

Wallpaper December 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Again last month I shared a scene that I expected no one to identify. Again I was wrong. I’ll let Phil “The Forecaster” Chadwick take it from here: "I know these islands because I have canoed and painted them "en plein air" since I was a kid in the 1960's: http://philtheforecaster.com.

More...

Wallpaper November 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

When the last wallpaper image was posted in the spring, I left you with a particularly challenging scene to identify as it could be so many places on the River. As it happens, it is a place that is very special to me, all the more so, because I was just forced to leave it for the season. When the island transitions from delightful to difficult I get the message, particularly when difficult includes snow, which it did on October 21st. It was time to go.

More...

Wallpaper May 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:00:00 GMT

It’s always a tough call choosing a winner, particularly when there are several good stories submitted.

More...

Wallpaper April 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

No shortage of correct identifications of the March image and many stories including three great ones from Peter Mabee, Allen Benas and Robert Charron, all of whom just have to receive a set of prints for their efforts, but ultimately there is room for just one "official" winner.

More...

Wallpaper March 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Many responses correctly identified last month’s scene, including this one from Dean Evans of LaFayette, NY:

More...

Wallpaper February 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:17:34 GMT

I received only a few guesses attempting to identify January’s image and only two were correct. Jim Pontious of Murrysville, PA was one, but the award and the six prints has to go to Steve Franzeim of Hudson, Mass.

More...

Wallpaper January 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:05:13 GMT

While I figured November’s scene would prove elusive and didn’t, December’s was one I was fairly sure would be easy to recognize, particularly as it included a “down bound” ship passing Singer Castle in the distance, yet only two people picked up on those clues to identify this as the foot of Grenadier Island.

More...

Wallpaper December 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:39:58 GMT

It is getting ridiculously tough to find scenes that don’t instantly get identified by a lot of you. I would have thought November’s would have been difficult, but apparently not.

More...

Wallpaper November 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:24:14 GMT

Another summer on the River has come to a close - reluctantly, as summer’s warmth lingered far later than in years past. It’s always difficult being away but as last winter, I’ve left the Internet Camera running (click on “CAM” in the menu bar) so that you can visit the River anytime you wish during daylight hours. Hopefully, no gremlins will get in the way and it will run flawlessly until spring.

Last spring I left you pondering this image of a place very dear to my heart. Coincidentally, the view overlaps the Internet CAM's, aiming slightly more to the south. It is a spot I affectionately call “the dining room” as that’s its primary function when weather allows. In sharing this image, I hadn’t expected any correct IDs except from friends and visitors who know it well and therefore could not be counted, yet amazingly Bill Stock of Glen Cove, NY who has never been on the island was right on the money with this response:

“I believe it is a shot taken from the Canadian side of the river looking upriver towards Dark Island. The islands in the middle are Ingall, Robinson, Big, etc. and they are between the American and Canadian Channels. The island in the foreground on the right hand side is Princess and not visible behind it is the entrance to Jones Creek. The points of land past Princess Island are Whitney and Sifton Points. The photo most likely was taken from your island, Raleigh. I have been coming to the Thousand Islands to go fishing since I was a teenager, which means I have been coming every summer for more than 40 years. I always used to stay in Alexandria Bay. I remember that by 9PM you could literally lie down in the middle of the road and not be run over by a car till the next morning in the middle of the summer. We used to eat every night in a local restaurant run by a Greek fellow by the name of Pete Schortis. His place stayed open late in the summer and was frequented by many of the local fishing guides. From hanging around the guides we obtained a lot of really good fishing information, much of which we didn’t know was good until many years later when we realized these guys were telling us the truth. One of the areas the guides told us to try was upriver past Chippewa Point across from Blind Bay on the Canadian side. The guides always told us to make sure we had our Canadian licenses or run the risk of having the boat impounded and being fined. Back then we had an old rickety boat with a small outboard and it took us nearly an hour to get to these islands. But boy was it worth the trip as the fishing was fantastic. One time while fishing off Sifton Point, the rod doubled over and while reeling in a fish we didn’t even notice the small unmarked green canoe that paddled up alongside side of us. The guy in the canoe, who looked like a local fisherman, asked how the fishing was and identified himself. I looked over and noticed he was carrying a large revolver. To make a long story short I’m glad we took the guides’ advice about both the fishing and the importance of getting a Canadian license. We showed him our paperwork and the fish we had on board which were all legal. He was on his way and we were back to catching more fish. I still fish these islands today although they are not as prolific as in the past. It’s still a lot of fun and the view looking down the channel reminded me of the long trip we would have to make against the west wind to get back to Alex Bay in those days.”

Well done Bill, and a great story. A set of 6 prints is on its way. I’ve had several requests for prints of this particular image and perhaps with Christmas looming I should mention that this scene and any other under Albums or Neighborhoods are available as 13 x 19 or 24 x 35 inch giclée prints intended for framing. If you find one you’d like for yourself or as a gift for a friend or neighbor, simply click on the tiny shopping cart icon at the bottom left of the image or email me using the email icon beside it that will send me (or anyone else) a link to the image you or they might be interested in.

You will find a number of new images and postings throughout the site, with the main updates listed (as always) at the bottom of the Home page, one of which points to a feature article in the current issue of Lakeland Boating Magazine which you might enjoy should you see it in the stands. If you miss it there, it's also posted under "Media", one of the buttons below the main window.

I’m curious to see how many people might be able to identify this month’s 1000 Islands “wallpaper” scene. As usual if you know it, please take a moment to share any stories you may have about this area to keep the local lore coming. A set of six 8x10 prints awaits the most interesting response.

Wallpaper 1152 x 864
Wallpaper 1280 x 800 (Wide Screen)
Wallpaper 1680 x 1050 (Wide Screen)

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine

Wallpaper May 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:09:16 GMT

I was quite certain that very few 1000 Islanders would recognize last month’s scene as it is the extreme western tip of the 1000 Islands region, exposed to the waves and weather of Lake Ontario, where only very brave or very foolish boaters venture unless it is extremely calm. I was wrong. A surprising number of correct IDs arrived, again with several interesting stories, but alas only one, Hugh Cowan, can be the winner - for this:

More...

Wallpaper April 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders,

And I thought last month’s photo would be tough to identify. Not so, it would seem. Several correct answers with good stories again makes the decision the tough part. I seem to have put myself into something of a hot seat trying to select winners, judging by all the complaining I’m hearing from the “non-chosen”. My further role as sensor at least allows me to shield our winners from the intense jealousy and verbal abuse of all these sore losers. In truth, it’s all very much tongue in cheek and I appreciate that so many of you seem to enjoy these monthly postings sufficiently to want to participate.

More...

Wallpaper March 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow Thousand Islanders,

I’m hoping that those of you who didn’t win last month’s photo ID won’t be discouraged from trying again. There were many worthy stories which made the call unusually difficult, but I thought this one from Jack Patterson of Axeman Island which salutes a departed and special friend of the River, deserved the laurels:

More...

Wallpaper February 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders,

Last month’s scene was an incredibly difficult one and as I suspected, no one correctly identified it, despite the fact that several were convinced they knew exactly where it was. That’s precisely why I picked it. It is so very obviously the 1000 Islands that it could be almost any one of them, but no place else.

Why is it so immediately recognizable as here? I guess for the simple reason that most of the islands are the granite roots of ancient mountains that make up the Frontenac Arch and each has been carved and polished in much the same way by the glaciers of numerous ice ages.

I’ve often noted when exploring islands that each seems completely different with its own unique character, as is the view of the River from each, as though it's an entirely different place, yet in many ways they are all very similar. Don Ross’ book “St. Lawrence Islands National Park” describes a typical 1000 island. When I first read it, I was convinced he’d written it while sitting on mine, but the description applies to most of them.

As it happens, this one is Savage Island, one of a group of seven near the mouth of Jones Creek and roughly opposite Crossover Island Lighthouse. Out for a morning row in my skiff, I couldn’t resist landing and capturing the calm as the sun burned its way through the fog.

Last Month's Wallpaper:

This month’s scene should be a little easier to locate. As usual, there’s a set of prints awaiting the person who shares the best brief story about the area.

This Month's Wallpaper:

Wallpaper 1152 x 864

Wide Format Wallpaper 1280 x 800

Large Wide Format Wallpaper 1680 x 1050

For those of you who might be near the River in February or would enjoy a winter weekend interlude there, you might want to put “Save the River’s” 18^th Winter Environmental Weekend from the 9^th through 11^th at Bonnie Castle in Alexandria Bay on your calendar.

Events include a number of environmental presentations on Saturday including one by C. M. "Terry" Johnson Jr., administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. and another by U. S. Coast Guard Captain Scott Ferguson. Cocktails will be served from 5:30 – 7:00 before the dinner where I have been asked to give the keynote presentation and share some of the images from my two most recent books. You can find out more by downloading a registration form for the event at: http://savetheriver.org/events/documents/InvitationtoWW2007.pdf

Sunday morning you’ll have the opportunity to accompany naturalist Gerry Smith on a bald eagle field trip and if this is like winters past, I think you’ll be surprised to find how many choose the area as their winter home. Like the individual islands, each season makes this seem like a very different place and during winter, it really is.

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine

Wallpaper January 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders,

December’s “Christmas tree” was a tough one for most 1000 Islanders.

This determined willow sits on a microscopic island (with only its trunk showing in high water) locally known as Toniata, the original name of Jones Creek and also of an Indian village located here (or nearby) when Father Simon Lemoyne, a French missionary became the first white man to visit the area early in the 17th century.

The island sits in the middle of a very pretty bay, visible from near the eastern end of the 1000 Islands Parkway but hard to spot from the River unless you make an effort to explore the intricacies of the Canadian shoreline. The bay also provides access to the extensive Jones Creek wetland/wilderness area, which is now protected forever as part of the Thousand Islands Biosphere Reserve.

Last month's wallpaper:

Surprisingly, there were quite a few correct responses, but the most interesting one came from Pam Lyon in Penfield, NY. Pam related a story that I first heard from her father Jim Lloyd when I purchased their family cottage for use as a summer rental property and as our island’s shore base. At the time, Jim told me a story that I have since frequently related, perhaps a little inaccurately.

So here’s Pam’s story, sewn together from several emails after conferring with her Dad:
“I can tell you that tree is at least fifty years old because I looked out at it every summer of my life until just recently when my parents sold their cottage at Jones Creek to the photographer! As small children, my brothers and I used to 'picnic' on the shoal when the water was low and repeatedly get our lines caught in the branches when casting. One year my grandfather even went so far as to prune the willow because it had been struck by lightning during a storm and had some branches that were dying -- It was ‘our tree’ and we needed to take care of it.
It has been the subject of many paintings by local artists and everyone who ever came to visit us took a picture of the little "island" in the middle of the mouth of the creek. The tree grew from a tree root that floated down the creek and got snagged in the mire brought up from dredging.
The dredging was done by my grandfather after World War I because he believed strongly enough in a local legend to make a serious effort to recover a 'treasure’ that was supposed to have been dumped in the water here during the War of 1812.
The British Army was heading to Elizabethtown (now Brockville) and were being pursued by the Americans. The gold the British army was carrying was slowing them down, so they were forced to dump it into the water. I have no idea if this is exactly true nor am I sure how my grandfather and Wells Simpson got wind of this particular location but their dredging resulted in your little "tree island" and a fantastic picture.
Wells Simpson owned a sand supply and dredging business in Brockville and had several scows for delivering sand and for dredging purposes. My grandfather worked for him during the summer for a while when he was a young man before he emigrated to the States. Dad says that one of the scows sank in Molly's Gut and is still there. (Ed. note – it is.) I also remember my grandfather showing us some arrowheads that he had found in the area.”

The River is full of such stories. Thank you Pam for straightening me out on this one, although I think I can safely say that if there ever was a treasure, it is either no longer there, or extremely well concealed. The children of many of our guests who have rented the cottage have spent countless hours scouring the bay in hopes of riches and when it comes to adventures like this, children can be pretty thorough. No luck so far. A great story however, and the hope is that these wallpaper images will dig up many more.

With that in mind, this month’s image is extremely unlikely to be identified:

I will say it’s not my island, but it would be a very clever islander who could identify it with so few clues even if it is their island. And it might well be as I confess that I trespassed to capture the moment so the owners have no clue I was there to get it. If you can’t identify it, don’t let that get in the way of a good story. If this image brings one to mind, please share it and as with Pam Lyons, a set of six prints may soon be heading your way.

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine

P.S. A number of new images and Albums have been added to the slide shows, all detailed at the bottom of the home page.

Wallpaper 1152 x 864

Wide Format Wallpaper 1280 x 800

Large Wide Format Wallpaper 1680 x 1050

Wallpaper December 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Last month’s photo ID was a close run affair between Jason Stock of Glen Cove, NY and Shayne Sage of Charlotte, NC, with Shayne (just) taking the laurels (and six 8 x 10 prints) for this response:

More...

Wallpaper Image for November 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Why is it so hard to pack up and leave the River? I don’t think it’s the effort, though there certainly is that. It’s the knowledge that it will be many months before getting back. But this year, I have a support system to make the time away more enjoyable. You do too.
More...

Wallpaper May 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Last month's photo of the Niagara drew a number of interesting responses including one from Kris Bregani who I'd like to thank for having told me the Niagara had run aground just across the channel from her cottage
More...

Wallpaper April 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Not many picked up on last month’s image, however I suspect a number of you will recognize it immediately when I tell you it’s just upstream from the Canadian Span, the islands off Ivy Lea.
More...

Wallpaper March 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, I thought last month’s scene would have stumped everyone. It didn’t.
More...

Wallpaper February 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Not unexpectedly, our January image wasn’t identified by very many. It is typical of countless special spots hidden in the islands but known only to those who live or summer nearby. Grindstone Island is such a spot, with a small and hardy year round population and a number of summer residents who have cherished this place for generations.
More...

Wallpaper January 2006

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Happy New Year. Welcome to 2006! May it be a good one for you and yours. We start the year with an Uncle Sam tour boat Captain and all around genuine River Rat, Dennis Honeywell as this month’s winner. Our December scene incidentally, was the winter version of the page 41 Lost Channel shot in “The 1000 Islands”, taken from precisely the same spot, but looking very different because of winter.
More...

Wallpaper December 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Several of you have missed your calling. You should have been detectives. I’m referring to those of you who picked up on the fact that there are two buoys in this shot, both a red and green one and as you cleverly pointed out, seldom do they sit close enough to each other to show up in the same picture. Having an island between them narrows the search further.
More...

Wallpaper November 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, I imagine I’m not the only one who dreads late fall. Beyond the shorter days and coming winter (for those of us who brave it out up here that is), it means leaving the river, which I did just a week ago. It was time. As unpleasant as leaving the islands always is, perhaps being away is what makes going back so incredibly special.
More...

Wallpaper May 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 04:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, The response to these emails is nothing if not interesting. Some scenes like the Canadian Empress moored in the Admiralty Islands receive overwhelming response, yet others that should be more easily identified, get far less. After checking last month’s photo against all the charts, one person concluded that the scene wasn’t in the 1000 Islands at all. It was. I think the aerial perspective is so different, without the next shoreline hiding the view beyond, that the scene is more ‘complicated’ for lack of a better word.
More...

Wallpaper April 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, You would think that George Boldt’s showplace farm on Wellesley Island would be easily recognized, but apparently it’s not. While I think many are aware that it exists, they might never have seen it, or if they have, not known the connection. Next time you’re headed into Lake of the Isles from the eastern end, take a look to your left, just before you get to the narrows. You’ll see the barn up on the hill, alongside the Thousand Islands Country Club’s Lake Course.
More...

Wallpaper March 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Whew! This was really a tough one. We had an onslaught of great responses this month with plenty of information about the area and the “Canadian Empress”, including from a former Captain. For those of you not familiar with her, the Empress has been cruising the 1000 Islands to Quebec City and Ottawa (via Montreal) for many years and offers a wonderful way to introduce friends to the area in a comfortable and stylish way. She has a strong following. Many of her passengers are repeat cruisers with the record holder having taken 136!
More...

Wallpaper February 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Go figure! While December’s shot of Grenadier had plenty of correct answers and November’s much trickier shot of the Punts Islands had a few, last month’s shot is a scene that virtually everyone is familiar with, yet only a single person identified it correctly. You’ll all kick yourselves when you read further because most 1000 Islanders know this area well.
More...

Wallpaper January 2005

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sat, 01 Jan 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, I didn’t realize this task would be so tough. This month’s winner is a genuine tough call. The last image, a high shot of Grenadier Island was successfully identified by many, with several worthy “captions” submitted.
More...

Wallpaper December 2004

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, It’s interesting that the high views are so tricky to identify. Only two correct answers came back from last month’s image, one from Bud Andress and the other from Al Bickerton. The tie breaker goes to Bud partly because of his excellent caption, but also because Al was a little vague about a story from his youth. Something to do with night, a Mountie boat hitting a shoal here and US beer! Bud’s caption:
More...

Wallpaper November 2004

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 04:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders, Mother Nature won. She always does. My rustic 1917 cottage is simple yet comfortable - until it gets cold. With only a woodstove for warmth and a limited supply of firewood on the island that needs hoarding for spring, it was time to leave.
More...