Watchful Eye

Trail cameras have been capturing a few pictures . The picture above was taken in a remote swamp in central Ma.

I pulled in all my trail cameras over the last week.. Some of them were in pretty remote areas and would take a bit of effort to get to in deep snow. I'll set them back out in areas that are more accessible .
Holidays have slowed  down the hiking a bit. Will be be back at it next weekend. !

Thanks to all for following my blog. Wish you all a Happy & Healthy 2018 !

Jim

Trail Cameras Certainly Tell The Story

I have been sitting a lot more in attempt to get a bobcat or coyote with my SLR camera. Froze my butt off this morning seeing absolutely nothing. I had set out trail cameras in several of the places I have been sitting.
Guess you just need to be in the right place at the right time !

Jim

Trail Camera Activity is Good

Hiked some miles this morning before the snow. Not much activity at all . I figured it would also be a good opportunity to check the trail cameras. It was a welcomed surprise to see the night visit of the bobcat above..
As central MA transitions from fall into winter the predator activity will increase. I'm hoping the trail cameras will  catch pics of coyotes and bobcats. I located several areas with consistent bobcat sign.. Right after the holidays the woods will be quiet again and all the trail cameras will be placed out..

I am still hiking with my SLR camera. with few opportunities. Think its time to reduce the miles hiked with each outing  and spend more time sitting !

Happy Holidays
Jim

I took a stab at putting together a calendar with some off my Quabbin wildlife photographs.. Thought it would be a nice gift for family and friends,
If your interested you can view or purchase at the address below.

Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays to all that follow my blog

http://www.lulu.com/content/legacy-lulustudio-calendar/my-calendar/22069947

Jim

Black Friday Perfect Morning For Sitting

Slipping into a distant shoreline before the sun's first rays is always a good start to the day.

The hope was to catch a coyote or bobcat walking the distant shoreline. Is was just about a year ago in this exact spot I was able to photograph a bobcat walking the shoreline, which are some of the best pictures in my photo library.
The morning was pretty quiet for mammals. Waterfowl was abundant. Seeing geese,mergansers, mallards,loons and king fisher.

I also sat in this spot this morning. Wind picked up blowing off the reservoir  and circulating my scent everywhere. I did see a immature eagle right overhead and a few small flocks of geese.

Jim

New Milestone Reached !

Barely light, I am off to reach Quabbin's shoreline . As I round Deadman's Curve, the distant call of a loon adds to making this a memorable day. Sitting and seeing Soapstone & Rattlesnake Hill in the distance as a immature eagle flies over puts the icing on the cake.This day, the "ole hiking boots " have covered 2,500 miles carrying a camera in the boundaries of Quabbin.

Enjoy !


https://youtu.be/GPvcF-a-8v0

Camera Trapping -- Save The Date

Setting out “Camera Traps “(trail cameras) along my hiking routes in central Massachusetts has added another whole level to taking pictures and learning about wildlife.

These mechanical devices allow you to take pictures or videos of wildlife on their terms

Whether you have a trail camera or not, this presentation will share a variety of wildlife going about its day, doing its thing, without human interruption.  

Come see what happens when a dominant bull moose finds a subordinate bull in his territory during the moose rut.

The YouTube video below is a “camera trap” set at ground level near a beaver dam. A lot more day time activity also occurred .I will share pictures and videos of this active wildlife area in my upcoming presentation.

Moose Confrontation

Trail Camera in the right place at the right time to capture a moose confrontation.
When collecting SD cards yesterday I was surprised when checking this one TC that the batteries were dead. I had changed them the week prior and before that it was last March. All I could think of was the TC was on the fritz !
Checking the SD card later in the day , it had recorded 119, thirty second videos. Typically when a TC captures this many videos in a week some type of swaying vegetation triggered the sensor.
Not the case this time ! The picture is a few snips from the one hour of footage.
Interesting ending ...... I'll save that for another time.

Jim

 This is Mr Ugly.  It appears he has  a genetically  inferior rack. Not a good thing passing along that poor trait !

King

Catching A Coyote on TC and SLRA

A check of the trail cameras and hiking made for a nice weekend with coyotes. The cover picture is a  Eastern Coyote who can hear the camera . It is trying to pick up the scent . Made for a neat caption.

This morning hiking in the fog a coyote stepped out into the road. About the poorest conditions for a picture, but it was nice to see. I have been on a dry run for a while.

Activity  should start picking up..... ( I Hope !  )

Jim

TC's Continue To Do Well

Picture above was taken about 100 yards form last weeks bobcat cover picture. This cat appears to have a spot on its lower jaw that may be unique . I will review other recent cat videos and see.

The only reason I checked  TC cameras this morning was the recent high winds we had the last several days. Figured this was a good excuse as any (lol) one camera did have dead batteries and 100+ videos of a grass swaying.

With my TC card review last week I did get a nice piece of  a picture of a noble bull. Camera was set to low ! I also raised several of the cameras in hopes of getting a decent picture /  video of a daytime bull.
Jim

Trail Camers Doing Well !

Its been almost three weeks since checking my trail cameras. This morning I put some miles on the ole' hiking boots changing out SD cards and relocating several cameras. The moose are just staring the rut and I was lucky to get several more daytime bobcat pictures. Also had a camera in the right place to catch a cow and calf moose.

Jim

Since spring I have hiked many miles  through all types of habitat searching  for tracks and animal sign in hopes of locating areas that might give up day time pictures of  Quabbin's wildlife. My trail cameras have taken many night time pictures and videos of bobcats. The bobcat pictured on the cover page was a welcomed surprise with the effort put into getting a day time picture / video of this elusive cat.

Bushwhacking is the norm looking for new areas to set out TC's. Yesterday I was rewarded with a deer antler pretty much chewed up by a porcupine.

Also stumbled onto this ..... Appears to be an old gas tank. Given where it was located Ill bet its been a while since being seen by anyone.

Any ideas as what this tank belonged to?

Won't be long now before the moose start rutting. Below find a short video with a young bull. It will be interesting to see if this TC can capture the dominant bull in the area. Stay Tuned !

Jim


https://youtu.be/HN7dcRsgbP8

BIF at Quabbin

Another beautiful morning at Quabbin. Foggy until the sun burnt the fog off. The immature GBH on the cover page provided a nice opportunity to work on my birds in flight skills. Very pleased with the  picture. Right place, right time, right light right camera  setting.

The weekend provided a number of opportunities with loons.

Jim

Beautiful Morning For A Hike To N. Dana

Nice morning for a hike out to North Dana. I could see that one other person had been out here in the recent past.

What a beautiful view eating my snack.

I wasn't the only one enjoying the view.

Extermely Muggy

Would of been real easy to pour a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise from my recliner and air conditioning . Humidity was so thick you could cut it !
Wildlife photo opportunities come hard and you need to be persistent .
I figured with the light fog and heavy humidity it would be a good morning just to poke along. As I rounded a cart road corner there was a young bull moose feeding . That was the last thing I thought I would see on such a humid morning, He caught my movement and just stood like a statue watching  my way. Standing still for 4/5 minutes he finally went back to feeding giving me a few pic ops.

My trail cameras have been working overtime.! This fella wanted to get a selfie!

Jim

Foggy Morning !

Pretty quiet this weekend hiking Quabbin. This morning I sat for a while. The reservoir was pretty much fogged in. Sitting inside the wood-line the loon above provided a few pic opportunities as the sun started to burn off the fog. I had to lighten significantly  in Photoshop/

It was time to leave when the boats found the cove I was sitting in.

Jim

Was Suppose To Be A Bear Day !

Put 8 miles on the ole' hiking boots today. There was no shortage of bear scat.  No doubt I would see a bear today. My hiked started in the dark of dawn. . Wanted to get in deep before any other folks .
To my surprise no bears :( , but I did see a Great Egret. I usually find these guys on there migration south visiting quite  Quabbin swamps in mid to late August. This is a first seeing one early August and on the main water of the reservoir.

While sitting for a bit this morning a broad-winged hawk circled overhead checking me out.

Maybe next time for the bear.

Jim

Sitting Very Still

The turkey poult in the title caption filled my camera lens. You know you're sitting still when a hen and poults stroll by and don see you.

Trail Cameras have been taking some interesting videos. Stay tuned, I'll put something together at some point

Stand Off With A Doe

I had an entertaining experience with a doe. The cover picture is the end of the event.

While hiking this morning I  spotted this doe feeding. She didn't see me at first so I kept moving very slowly until her head raised and spotted me.

I stood motionless for what seemed forever,  then she started  stomping her feet. First with her back right leg and changed to her front left leg. This went on for 5/6minutes. Having a head-net and backpack on certainly got this girls attention,

I finally moved and she turned and was air bound .

Jim

Quabbin Bears Are Elusive !

Quabbin bears have been the most elusive in my hiking and trying to get their pictures. This past weekend surrendered a third sighting in in six years, and nearly 2500 miles hiked. A bear’s keen sense of smell keep them aware of their surroundings and allow them to avoid humans altogether. It’s also luck seeing a bear in the Quabbin, being in the right place at the right time.

The picture captured Saturday appears to be a 11/2-year-old cub recently displaced by its mother (sow) due to the June bear breeding season in Massachusetts. This displacement is the way nature works with 2^nd year cubs and bears breeding.

  Jim

 The ticks and deer flies were certainly a challenge !

It was all worth it when the mature whitetail showed up. I went undetected as it fed and worked it's way across a beaver dam.

Jim

Morning Swamp Watching

Man... Was it muggy this morning ! I decided to head in deep and watch over a quiet swamp.

The muskrat pictured above went about its business feeding right in front of me.

A little earlier a commotion broke out in the middle of the swamp as this immature duck was being scolded and chased by mom.

Before leaving I changed the SD card in a trail camera located near by.

It did a video a moose during the day as it walked right by the tree the TC was strapped to.

Jim

It was a wonderful day yesterday at Quabbin , spending a good part of it motoring up and down the reservoir looking for photo opportunities. One could not of have asked for nicer weather !

My 6:15 AM arrival at Gate 43 found only two cars in line and many rental boats still tied to the dock.  If your planning to rent a boat its best to arrive early. By 6:30 the boat was loaded and my direction would be straight North ,motoring along the east side of Mt Zion hoping to see a bear or some other mammal before cutting through the gap between Mt Zion & Mt L. Unfortunately, not much mammal activity. Once through the “Gap “the direction would be dead south to Curtis Island. There is re minis of a stone country club house built prior to the dismantling of the four towns. The plan was to attempt to get a picture from the choppy waters  of the field stone foundation. Docking the boat on any Quabbin island is FORBIDDEN.

It won’t be too many years before the island trees and foliage block any view of this once building.

Guess you can say we have seen the “Yellow Barrels “which indicates the end of the road. Public boats are not allowed beyond this point. Also is the Shaft 12 Pump House on the distant shore

Heading NW, it wouldn’t be too long before hitting the east shore of Prescott Peninsula. Boat traffic was considerable so the new course would be to head back to the ‘Gap’ and head over to Leveau Island. The NE side of the island found calmer waters with a Loon popping up a short distance from the boat. Wouldn’t you know it… I just happen to have my camera ready.

In the 18 miles boating yesterday, I would check out three eagle nesting sites where two eagles had not fledged and one had. I managed to get a few pics from each nest site.

A single eagle chick sitting very high up waiting for its next meal. The adult eagle was only a short distance away.

A nice steady breeze and  this eagle chick was hovering a few inches above the nest.

The cover picture is of the fledged eagle chick

A very nice day afield (afloat)

Jim

Ever See A Chipmunk Swim

Watching a swamp, a distant small wake caught my attention. I was sure that this would be my first pic opportunity of a Muskrat Kit. Was I surprised when a chipmunk climbed up on the branch. Even more surprised  that it swam about 100 yards across the swamp and a raptor or turtle didn't seize the opportunity for a meal.

The chipmunk rested for a minute , then made a spectacular dive from the branch above.

It did finally make it to the shore. Makes you wonder what possessed it to swim across the swamp. Predator? Just a good day for a swim?

Quabbin wildlife pic opportunities have been SLOW. I'm still out there wearing out the soles of my boots. The only change is, I'm  occasionally checking trail cameras. Last week the trail cameras videoed a couple Moose easting swamp grass and a few  Fawns.

Gypsy Month Caterpillars have really destroyed the Quabbin Trees this year. Wonder if there will be any acorns this fall. If not, It will certainly negatively impact wildlife with fattening up for the winter

Jim

 

Finally, Some hot weather......

Critter movement this morning was slow. I did look underneath a piece of scrap wood and found the Mild Snake above coiled up and content.

I did see two does off in the distance. Trail Cameras have been active. I will put something together a video clip in the fall

Jim

Early Morning Deer Moving

Took this pic on my early ride to Quabbin this morning

Deer have been plentiful !

Jim

This Is A First !

Not far from Quabbin gate on the ride home this morning I spotted this doe and it's bird friend standing about 200 yards deep in a field. The deer was behaving a little strange. I'll bet it had a fawn laying in the grass in close proximity. This is a first time ever seeing a bird sitting on a deer's back. I'm guessing its a female Red Winged Black Bird. I kept my distance , clicked a few pics and moved on.
Jim

Hoping For A Bear .......

No pic opportunities at Quabbin this morning. Other than lots of mosquito's and a few warblers , things have been quiet. Even the trail cameras have been slow. There is at least one male bear roaming around that has triggered a few of my TC's. I sat this morning in hopes it might come wandering by.

Jim

Birds Active !

Plenty of birds this weekend . I was hoping to see a bear..... Hiked in early and kept the wind in my favor. I did change out a couple of my trail camera SD cards and moved one camera.

 Did get a few videos of a passing bear. Really surprised , No Moose !  I'm looking forward to see if the other four cameras have any moose or bear videos. I'll hike in to change the SD cards in these
 cameras over the next few weeks.
Jim

Water Level Rising

This mornings was a WET hike ! It was good to see water flowing into the reservoir . Typically this time of year the reservoir is 95% + of capacity. April and May rain will hopefully keep adding to the needed water. The reservoir was 85.7 % of capacity May 1st. Its heading in the right direction !
A doe did pop out in front of me.

I took a terrible picture. Not sure why..... It was raining maybe I was  a hurry :(

Wild flowers are beginning to bloom-Buttercups

I moved one of my trail cameras that was facing west. The setting sun was tripping the sensor.

This looked like a good spot to put it!
Hope to catch a moose or bear wandering through this open area.
Jim

Great Weekend To Sit On The Shoreline....

Just hidden from view (inside the wood-line) and watched and listened. I was fortunate this small cove was uninterrupted by boat traffic and four loons would try and work out who had stake in this prime spot. I did see a glimpse of a band on one of the loons. Clearly two did not have bands. At times the loons became very vocal and aggressive working at driving the intruders away.

Three loons in the picture above.

This 4th loon thought best to leave the area. It was very vocal as it exited the cove.

Things quieted down when the forth loon flew away. I'll assume it was a male.....

It made for an interesting and fulfilled morning seeing several immature eagles, turkey's, and one mature eagle

Jim

Nice Start To The Morning

The anticipation of watching dawn set in while sitting in the " Quabbin Woods" is always a thrill. Hearing a Barred Owl in the distance singing it's song " who cooks for you " " who cooks for you all" is a great way to start any day. Then to have the owl came and visit his audience is a " Wicked Good Day"

Beautiful morning to be out ! It was cool, but birds were sing and walking was extremely quiet with the wet ground. For some reason I get my best photo opportunities on damp mornings. 
I was hoping for a bear or moose pic this morning. Well....... maybe tomorrow :)

Jim

Lots Of Activity Today

Even though Quabbin opened today for the 2017 fishing season with boats everywhere, bird activity was abundant.  A distant loon yodeling this morning made for a perfect start of the day. It flew by a good distance from me ( cover pic cropped and lightened ) you can see that is does not have any bands.
Wish I could be around when the resident loon returns and finds a stranger in the neighborhood !

 A very distant immature eagle made an attempt for breakfast.

A Palm Warbler watches over a swamp looking for a mate.

I have put out all of my trail cameras.  Many things learned from last year. Can't wait to see what happens this year ! The biggest change will be the frequency with checking them. Last year was weekly. My plan is to leave them out at least 4 weeks before checking . Stay tuned !

Jim

Trail Cameras Working

A bit windy this morning. I find windy days to be the least productive seeing wildlife. That being said, it was nice to see this small bear on my TC. This springs late snow and cold seemed to hold the bears in their dens later. Last year my first TC bear was March 8th this year March 28th.

Above is one of the cameras I set out this morning.  The anticipation from week to week wondering what the camera may have captured is neat !! Last years TC results were good, hoping to improve this year.

Off to a good start !!

Jim

Reservoir Was Active This Morning

While sitting just inside the wood-line on the reservoir this morning , an adult eagle landed in a white pine about seventy yards away not seeing me. It didn't provide a decent pic hidden behind branches.
I also sat at the shore of a small swamp for about fifteen minutes. Lots of activity.......

Still a little bit of ice. I did see....
immature eagle, hooded mergansers, belted kingfisher, red-wing black birds .

Also saw many tracks in the soft snow......
coyote, bobcat, turkey, raccoon, turkey, squirrel and deer

Certainly was a  nice morning to be out. With seasonable temperatures next week, activity in the woods next weekend should be good
Jim

Spring Is Sure To Come

The ice is just about gone on the reservoir coves , along with the back woods swamps.

The plan this morning was to set out two trail cameras ( TC on tree in top center of pic) and do some bushwhacking hoping to find a fresh bear track in the snow. Did get the two cameras out,but unfortunately no bear tracks.
The squeal of wood ducks and the sound of red wing black birds is a sure sign spring is just around the corner.
I also hiked into the cameras that are set out deepest in the Quabbin Woods. Was I surprised when I got home and viewed the SD card. The guy was bushwhacking with a camera around his neck. My guess would be that he probably was also looking for sheds.

Jim

Rabbit Runs Meets Water

I sat in the reeds at ice / waters edge this morning hoping to see a coyote working the eastern shoreline or possibly a soaring eagle. There is still a lot of ice with open pockets of water. Many small flocks of Common Mergansers seen this morning.
Next weeks warming temps and the sun being higher should free the reservoir of ice.
Spring in Monday ( YAHOO !!!! )  Won't be long before the sounds of birds fill the air!
Sitting on the shoreline feeling the warm sun sure will be welcomed.

Jim

Even a mosquito would sound good now !!!

& More Picture Today. Great Gray Owl

There has been a GGO in Hudson, NH that has been extremely patient with the crowds of people showing up daily to watch it.
A rare visitor this far south. This raptor's home is in the Forests of Canada.  A friend convinced me to tag along with him the other day. I was sure glad I did. To see the Great Gray with  your own eyes is certainly an experience you will not forget..

Jim

COLD !!!

It didn’t take much to convince me that is was to “Freaking Cold” to head out hiking this morning.

The temperature was 5 degrees and very windy, so I decided to put a few pics together to summarize my presentation last week at the Quabbin Visitor Center.

Chilly This Morning !

It was a good morning to look for antlers.  Bushwhacking new terrain always keeps me wondering what's  over the next ridge.  I was  hoping to find at least one moose shed from the 5/6 bulls that the trail cameras videoed last fall. There was little  sign of any moose being in the area so  I checked out a new spot.
No shortage of moose droppings but unfortunately no sheds.
I did bring two trail cameras along and set them up in a remote area. Temps will moderate next week and with spring knocking on the door, it wont be long before the critters become active.

Jim

Toyday's Presentation

What a great audience !  Appreciate you all taking time out of your day to attend ! Also some good questions.
Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed sharing my wildlife experiences.

Thanks Again
Jim

Slow Time Of The Year For Pics

Hiked in yesterday to pull the game cameras. Today's snow would have buried them. Well, only five weeks till spring. Can't wait !

Jim

Cold & Windy This Morning

Porcupine above was sound asleep without a care in the world.

Settled in early this morning watching the iced cove above. Thought for sure a coyote would come wandering by..

Jim

Not Much Going On This Morning

Chilly this morning ! I watched dawn set in scanning the ice for any movement.  Other then a distant crow it was QUIET.

The trail cameras were also pretty slow this week. One mature Bobcat & Coyote night picture and two small does during the day.

I moved the cameras, we'll see what next week brings.

Looking forward to my up coming presentation at the Quabbin Visitor Center.  Presentation is just about done. Any luck , I hope to add a few new pics

Jim