You Never Know What's Around The Next Corner !

This  mornings hike took me along the northeast shoreline. I could just sense that this was going to be an eventful morning. The sun’s rays  and unique cloud formation's made for a nice setting while eating my morning snack.  

 

 

 Walking the shoreline I anticipated seeing an eagle or two and maybe a coyote on the ice. For such a beautiful morning the only  two things I saw  were three blue jays and one crow.  

However  , it wasn’t to long after I was in the right place at the right time. I caught glimpse of it just before it saw me. In a flash it disappeared behind a pile of snow. Anticipating that it might give me one last look when it came back in view....

I pushed the shutter

 

It made for an eventful morning

Jim

Bird Activity Interesting

Very cold yesterday morning with the thermometer barely reaching zero. My hike would take me to Gate 8 knowing the road would be plowed. Sections of the road still had a light dusting of snow which revealed a variety of recent tracks. Fox, coyote, deer, moose, squirrel and rabbit were easy finds.

 Although very cold, bird activity was scattered throughout the hike. I recently added a bird appt to my phone in hopes of learning more about the birds that inhabit Quabbin. It was interesting walking along looking as well as listening. I clearly heard three birds on the hike that I could not identify.

Reaching the boat launch two mature eagles were soaring over the ice covered reservoir. Enjoying the dawn setting, I walked the shoreline north looking for coyotes on the ice.

Plenty of tracks but no activity this morning.

Getting back to the boat launch, I just started up the hill when the call of an owl broke the silence coming from a distant ridge. The crisp morning carried the call with clarity and the volume set on high. The call sounded awesome breaking the morning silence. This calling went on for nearly ten minutes. I could not confidently identify  this owl. It wasn’t the usual sound of a Great Horned or Barred owl. I am thinking maybe the call of an owl sitting on a nest. I will use my audio field guide to see if I can’t figure it out.
Jim

Little Signs Of Spring !

Headed out early to Gate 43. The plan was to sit at the horseshoe dam in hope that the otters would fish the open water. The plan worked out well,but nobody told the otters. A male and female  Hooded Merganser kept me occupied for a while.

Squirrels both red and gray where out and about. I did see one mature and one immature eagle on my hike. I also saw one Pileated Woodpecker and heard several others. As I crossed over a small beaver pond  there was  a visible hole and a number of chewed branches sitting on the edge of the ice.

The morning was made with seeing a male bluebird.

Jim

Peaceful Morning !

It was a real nice morning to be hiking. I headed over to Gate37. I was surprised when I reached Fever Brook and the snow plow road ended. Didn’t have my snow shoes so I hiked the shoreline. Reservoir is still socked in. I hiked down about a mile and found a boulder to sit on. I could hear a couple of coyotes off in the distance. I sat for a while watching, hoping they worked their way to the shoreline.

 Soapstone Hill is out in the distance.

I did see one Pileated Woodpecker and heard several others.

It amazes how otters locate and use holes in the ice

Coyotes found easier travel on the windblown ice 

Jim

Turned Nasty Fast !

With the dusting of snow last I thought it would be a good morning to look for tracks. The heavy snow last week has slowed things down considerably. Deer are pretty much yarded. Although I did see where several deer had moved through the area since the storm. I was surprised not to see any coyote tracks. This is truly the “Dead of Winter “. After the sun came up this morning, so did the wind. Weatherman said wind chill brought temperature near zero.

 I did see one Pileated, two Red Bellied Woodpeckers, and one other hiker, which is very unusual on a morning like this. Well, it won’t be long till the maple syrup starts running. Weatherman is saying milder temperatures later next week. I sure am ready for spring! Jim

No Coyotes This Morning !

The plan this morning was to hike Gate 30 to the shoreline in hopes of seeing a coyote or eagle. The plowed road made for easy walking. Tracks of deer and coyotes were scattered throughout the walk. I stopped for a while and watched several fields. Local winter birds were active. Other than seeing a squirrel, it was not a busy day for mammals. Guess every weekend can’t be as eventful as last weekend. My wife has been seeing a pair of redtail hawks starting to work (housekeeping) around an established nest site. Eagles should also be starting this activity. You might think I am somewhat optimistic….. Spring is just around the corner! I can see cabin fever must be setting in for many folks. I passed more people hiking today than I have seen in four months Jim

Would I See A Snowy Owl This Morning?

I headed out to an east side gate somewhat  early this morning. I have been looking forward to a long snowshoe trek.  This should be a good morning for it.The sun's first rays touching Soapstone Hill was nice. My plan was to snowshoe from the east branch of Fever Brook to Graves Landing and hopefully put on enough miles to beat my previous  snowshoe milestone of five miles

That is Soapstone Hill on the left.
The snow was perfect with several inches in the wind swept coves to five or six along the shoreline.

The sun was EXTREMLEY bright. Yep ! I forgot my glasses in the truck.

I made it to Graves Landing. Perfect spot to have my morning snack. The hike back was somewhat easier using the same trail. I was pleased when I looked at my GPS.

Yes , I did see one snowy owl gliding along a distant shoreline

Jim