Busy Swamp

The pic above was taken using a tripod. Something I am so not use to using. It's like an anchor and slows me down! That being said If I didn't have a tripod surely I would not have captured this beaver enjoying breakfast.
Before calling it a morning I wandered around the swamp edge. Plenty of last years bear scat and skunk cabbage was about to sprout. Surely this looks like a good spot for bears.

On the ride home I stopped at a swamp that is usually good to me. Although cloudy and distant I was able to click a picture of this Blue Winged-Teal

Just before leaving these pair of Green Winged-Teal provided a real far shot.

I will give this swamp another try on a sunny morning. These male ducks would look very nice on a brighter day

Jim

Variety of Ducks Heading North

The picture above is of a male and female Ring Necked Duck. Central MA waters are coming alive!

A pair of Hooded Mergansers swam provided only one picture.

This pair of Wood Ducks kept my attention for the best of an hour, Several times it appeared they were going to give me an opportunity for an AWESOME pic. Shortly after this picture both duck hopped up into the tree behind them and enjoyed the sun.

Today I did see my first Common Loon on Quabbin. There enchanting call will be heard soon.

Jim

Cold !

The title page with several Wood Ducks made for an interesting picture . It was very early and the picture required  a lot of light added in post processing. Thought it might look good on a canvass.
Maybe a second opportunity will present itself in the next few weeks.

Trail camera only got one pic of a doe.
The weather Tuesday on next week looks warm, Swamps  will hopefully be alive with activity next weekend

Jim

Spring !! Swamps Are Coming Alive !!!!!

Last year at this time we were all wondering if Spring would come.
The picture on the tile page is the first bear taken on a trail camera. Now  to see if I cant get a picture with my camera. I sat for a while this morning with no luck.

Swamps are coming alive. I did see many ducks ,geese and a few beavers while sitting this morning.

 

Ticks are out in FULL FORCE !!!!

 

Jim

Shed Hunting

A ideal morning to be out looking for moose sheds.. Started out early which provided a opportunity to listen to a Barred Owl for a few minutes.. Didn't take very long before seeing consistent moose scat. Thought for sure the morning hike would give up a shed :(
The beaver hut above ( Title Pic) was an active lodge with fresh cuttings behind it. There was still a thin layer of ice behind it. The whisper of snow last night left just enough to show tracks of critter in search of food.

Any guesses ? The jackknife in the pic below is 4" long.

There were a number of very large boulders seen during the hike .

 

Many had openings beneath them . I did see where several Porcupines had taken up residence.

The foundation above is the biggest and highest ( 6') that I have seen in my Quabbin travels. The area was " Chocked" with vegetation.

I also put out two trail cameras this morning, The sets with the cameras  this year have all been located in close proximity to water. Thought I trry a hardwood ridge . While hiking the ridge I did see one Barred Owl swoop off a distant tree branch.

Jim