Deer Flies Relentless !

Being so hot and humid I headed out for my hike right at dawn. Thought about wearing shorts. Glad I changed my mind. Covering my neck ,head and arms  with bug sray I head down my favorite cart road. It wasn't long before I spotted a Great Horned Owl sitting on a limb over looking a swamp.

It was a good distance off but good to see none the less.
It didn't take long for the sweat to start and the deer flies to find areas of skin where the inspect repellent no longer was.
Just about back to the truck, I was able to get a pic of this small buck.feeding.

`Jim`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Warm ! However Eventful

Started real early this morning to beat the heat. This doe was comical with blowing and tail movement but didn't run. She was trying to get me to move,

A little more motion and blowing in hope that I would move.

Om the way home I stopped in the swamp in Hardwick to see if the otters and osprey were around, No signs of the otters, theret toilet had not been used in a while. Must have move on. I would imagine the osprey chicks have fledged.
Not all was lost I did get this male and female wood duck

Before leaving a green heron flew over

Jim

Lot Going On Today

Beautiful morning ! Didn't take long to get HOT.
Did see a  a few deer. Walked up on a fawn. Much to close for the lens I was using. When I backed up the fawn went on its way.

Met a few bicyclists that were resting, The pointed me in the direction when a few minutes prior they saw a sow and two cubs. Unfortunately all was quite in the area when I arrived.
I did have one bald eagle fly over.
On the hike back to the truck this Kingfisher posed for a quick pic.

Jim

Eventful Morning !

Couldn't of been a better Father's Day with the activity this morning. I left the house shortly after 5:00 AM to hike my favorite east side gate. I hadn't hiked a half mile when the action started. Walking quite and really being aware of what's going on presented this opportunity. I saw something off in the distance in the grass along the road edge that looked out of place. I focused my lens on it . Holy Crap ! It's a bobcat....

 

Still unaware of my presence, the cat was concerned with something over its head.

 

Curiosity did get this cat as it tried to figure out what I was.

 

It took off running , stopping short before slipping into the woods. I stood motionless. The cat turned and started walkingback towards me.

Then sat down and just stared at me

I must have moved with the camera ( Shi......) Oh well what an AWESOME Experience.
A bobcat pic has eluded me. Till Today :)
The pic opportunities continued as the morning went on. I was on my way to the waters edge when this guy got my attention

Ring Snake.

Then on my hike back to the road I found this tree frog

 

On my ride home from Quabbin I stopped at another swamp. While watching these otter pups play an Osprey perched a short distance away.

This what I call a " GOOD DAY"
Jim

Almost !

The plan today was to hike a west side gate in hopes of maybe catching a doe and a fawn feeding. Absolutely a beautiful morning to be hiking with a camera. Birds where everywhere singing. I was able to catch a quick glimpse of a Blackburnian Warbler.

I did see a doe in my travels that clearly was nursing. She called out to her fawn to stay put. I clicked a couple of quick pics and went on my way.

Jim

Something Different

I spent a few days up north in Baxter State Park. I hiked Katahidin and had a chance to take in some casual hiking while getting a few pics. Nothing spectacular. However , the moose and deer in one picture is neat !

This young bull walked the shoreline getting close for this caption.

The caption below I find very interesting with the deer and moose.

Jim

Turtle Time !

Today's hike was at a Northeast gate.. Turtles have been busy laying eggs. I passed over a half dozen or so nests . Several had been raided . Probably by a raccoon or a fox. I stumbled onto a snapping turtle laying eggs.

On the return trip this painted turtle had just finished laying eggs.

Yesterday time didn't permit a Quabbin hike. However ,I did have an opportunity to get out for a short time near Quabbin. . This Osprey is my first sighting and pic in MA.

Jim