Most gates are yellow with several others being odd colors and some gates not gates at all.

Using the Quabbin Map published by New England Cartographic

 I began a quest to locate all the gates. . My goal was to find record and hike the gates that were referenced on the map. Sounds relatively easy, right, not in all cases. The gates on the west side of the reservoir can all be  reached with a vehicle. Not all gates are painted bright yellow and numbered.

Several of the gates on the east side where challenging. Two in particular required me to hike from inside out. I would start hiking at a known point inside the boundaries of Quabbin, and then follow the cart road out reaching a known location. This worked out well with the exception of one SE gate. This gate took several attempts, but I was finally able to figure it out.

Just another way to enjoy Quabbin Reservoir.

Below find a link to an album showing what I believe to be all the  gates referenced on the map

http://hikingcamerawildlife.smugmug.com/Other/Quabbin-Gates/47180175_XhvJ7b#!i=3846614499&k=5XgJpNP

Jim

Quiet Morning Hiking

Hiked a popular SW Gate. Not much wildlife moving. I did see several deer tracks and one lone coyote track. It was a surprise to see open water this late in January.
The upcoming storm is going to limit Quabbin access. Guess its time to dust off the snow shoes.

Jim

Moose Named Minus Six & Neat Milestome Acheived !

COLD! this morning. The temperature was minus six when I passed the Northeast Gate. I was not anticipating any action with the noisy walking conditions. The plan today was to hike five miles which would put me at the fifteen hundred mile milestone hiking Quabbin with a camera.
I certainly didn't think I would see anything  with the crunching snow under foot.

Just about back to the truck a second moose  crossed out in front of me. I did catch the sun glisten off one of its antlers. This is what I call an " Evidence Pic"

Nice morning to be out and a few critters where also out and about.

Jim

Myself and seven others spent the day in the Quabbin woods with Naturalist Professional Tracker David Brown. The day revealed a variety of tracks such as, deer,mice,flying squirrel,coyote,red fox,long teal weasel and bobcat.

Above is a set a bobcat tracks and  where is urinated under a leaning rock.


The day was full of information learning about the tracks of Quabbin wildlife residents.

I would recommend spending a day in the woods with David Brown . You can learn more by Googling David Brown Quabbin tracking.

Jim

Quabbin Bobcats

Well, I had every intention of heading out for a Quabbin hike this morning. Figured with the wet snow it would make for an excellent day looking for bobcat tracks.  That was the plan until I went out to get the morning paper. The crust on the snow put a damper on that idea.

In the many miles hiked in Quabbin the opportunity for pushing the shutter with a bobcat in the view finder has been far and few

Thinking back over the last several years  while hiking ,there have been four encounters seeing five bobcats.  Two of the sightings where barely a glimpse, with the other two presenting photo opportunities. I call these “Evidence Shots”. The pictures at minimum validate your wildlife experience.

The photo above was taken in June 2013. It was  somewhat distant but provided an unforgettable wildlife experience.

The above picture is an evidence shot showing two bobcats together,

I was able to keep the curiosity of one of the cats for a few minutes.

Hopefully one day the opportunity will present itself with being in the right place at the right time to capture a Quabbin bobcat up close.

I would be interested in any of your Quabbin bobcat experiences.

Jim

Calmn Before The Storm

My hike today took me to a Southeast gate seen above.Woods where very quiet this morning.
No photo opportunities , so I decided to walk the shoreline in hopes of seeing an eagle.

I did find this turtle shell that appears to have fallen victim to an eagle, This is the third shell that I have found in the same general area.

Jim

Beautiful Morning Hiking

This morning’s hike took me along the Northwest shoreline. Although the reservoir is 90+ percent to its capacity, there was enough shoreline to walk with minimal bushwhacking required.

No eagles where seen however several flocks of common mergansers provided a quick shot.

Surprised the eagles have not located this coyote lodged in the thin ice.

 Jim