New Addtion To Wildlife Library

 

Yesterday the cloud cover didn't clear until mid-morning along Quabbin's northwest shoreline. On the hike back I decided to cut back up to the power -line on the way back to the truck.

Walking along slowly looking down.......

Dekay's Brownsnake caught my eye.It was a couple of quick picks with the camera before it moved on

This morning back at it. This porcupine was also out for a hike.

This Pickerel Frog was the last pic opportunity for the morning

Jim

Beaver Pond At Dawn

It was a bit foggy  this morning. About 8:00 the sun burnt the fog off.

A family of beavers kept me entertained this morning. I attempted to get a pic of a beaver slapping its tail.Many missed shots before I finally got this one.

This Eastern Newt  was on the cart road on my hike back to the truck.

This Broad Winged Hawk was watching over the field below.

The fall migration has started. Tonight we saw about 30 Night Hawks heading south,

Jim

Quiet Morning

I left the house very early this morning headed to a southwest gate. The sunrise from Pelham Lookout on Rte 202 stopped me for a quick picture. The morning started eventful with seeing several night hawks  and a barred owl. Later in the morning I disturbed a red tail hawk . It cussed me until it was out of site. Not a mammal to be found ...... Not even a squirrel.

Oh well,maybe tomorrow morning

Jim

Not much going on this morning. I hiked a section of the northwest reservoir in hopes of catching glimpse of the bobcat I crossed paths with the other day. Wasn't to be today.

With the heavy rain last week the brooks are flowing.

 I took a break at the mouth of this stream. The reservoir was pretty hazy, Photo opportunities where slim. Other than hearing a distant loon the Pickerel Frog below was the only thing willing to let me take its picture.

Jim

Last weekend we camped at the Federated Forest. Mr Copper , my wife and I watched the " Super Moon" rise above Soapstone Hill.It made for an interesting evening..

Sunday night my wife and I fished while watching a beautiful sunset over Quabbin.

This morning I hiked a Northeast Gate seeing a Barred Owl first thing. Along the way Warblers were active in the dense bushes.

Reaching my favorite swamp this King Fisher kept me entertained.

Jim

Eventful Morning However......

Rounding a corner on a dirt road, hiking along the inside  A bobcat was approaching me from the opposite direction. . The cat saw me first at about fifteen yards away, It turned and was airborne in the blink of an eye.I was not able to get a picture. I stayed put for a few minutes hoping curiosity would get the best of it.Didn't  quite work out that way. This is the third bobcat I have seen over the last several years. They certainly are far and few between, The sighting made for a nice morning.
The only other critter willing to sit  long enough to get it's picture taken was the Pickerel Frog above.

Jim

Qaubbin Late Night Fishing / Early Morning Swamp Sitting

My wife and I fished Quabbin late into the evening on Saturday night. Acquiring a permit from DCR allows access to certain gates . The reservoir was reasonably calm which made fro an interesting evening using top water lures. Fishing was slow losing one respectable smallmouth bass at the shore edge
Sitting along the shoreline the stars lit the sky and seeing two falling stars.
Looking down into the water I was surprised to see this.

 A Northern Water Snake cruising the shoreline.

 Early Sunday morning I headed out  to two northeast gates.The plan was to sit and oversee a couple of my favorite swamps.

Not much going on at my first stop. Just a few beavers swimming around.

A

Approaching the second swamp quietly I was able to get a quick picture of this Sharp-shinned Hawk

Settling in and keeping any movement to a minimum presented this King Fisher.

Just before leaving this Yellow Rumped Warbler presented another quick opportunity.

Jim