Maple Ridge Cottages is located in a park-like setting  on the western shores of  St. Mary Lake, on Salt Spring Island.  The lake is the water source for a large part of Ganges and the north end of the island.  We are lucky to be situated with acres of land protected for the preservation of the lake right behind us. It is a unique ecological area that is home for many bird species such as pileated woodpeckers, kingfishers, blue herons, red winged blackbirds, eagles, hummingbirds and owls to name just a few. There are painted turtles in the lake along with smallmouth bass, cutthroat and rainbow trout and perch. There are beaver dams and swan nests. Deer and raccoons come to the edge to drink from the lake and otters have frolicked on the docks in the earlier hours of the day!