Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Incredible Weekend !

Finding a deer carcass on the ice during a long weekend presented a challenge and a number of photo opportunities. A dawn hike on Saturday revealed crows / ravens and a dancing coyote on the distant ice. Closer investigation showed a deer carcass about 75 yards out on the ice.
Settling into the wood line presented a quick coyote picture.
Returning Sunday gave up two pics of a very weary bobcat.
Last chance to watch this carcass was on Monday. Persistence and patience paid off !
After a lengthy stalk on crusty snow the bobcat above presented an hour of photo opportunities.


Jim

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Nice Start To New Year !

Just a little to early !!!

I was settled in early this morning. It always interesting waiting as dawn sets in and the anticipation of what the early morning may hold. It was exciting watching this bobcat walk the shoreline edge as it headed to the downed deer . With early dawn setting in the cat was very apprehensive about leaving the security of the shoreline and becoming exposed. It all come down to risk versus reward. The cat approached the carcass with extreme caution looking in all directions.
The bobcat only presented two photo opportunities before exiting in a real hurry.
Jim

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Watching Ice Can Have Photo Op's

Watching out over the ice and catching some distant movement ended with the picture above.
Using the wind to my advantage let me settle in about 80 yards from the Eastern Coyote as it walked the ice.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Thank You !

I appreciate all that have visited this site or have attended my presentations.. I hope you enjoy my Quabbin adventures as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.

The Bobcat in the title picture was one of the  top 2016 wildlife experiences . This cat was not aware of my presence for several  minutes... Watching any wildlife's behavior undetected is always thrilling.

I will be putting on another Quabbin wildlife presentation  in early 2017. Stay Tuned !!

Happy Holidays
Jim

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Peaceful Hike In The Snow This Morning

The picture above is the Gte 31 boat launch area. The picture was taken the day after  close of the 2016 fishing season. The area looked quite different this morning with the snow.

  I hiked in several miles to check on my trail cameras. I did see a flock of mallards, a king fisher and one barred owl. Coyote tracks were plentiful.

When I reached my trial cameras there was track activity around one camera and nothing around the second camera. Wouldn't you know it ! The camera with the alkaline batteries was STONE DEAD and the tracks were made after the batteries died!
The camera with the lithium batteries still had a full charge but unfortunately there were not tracks in the area.

Jim

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Put Out Two Trail Cameras

The bobcat pic above is another from last week I went back this morning in hopes of a repeat from last week. LOL not the case. I really wanted to check out how far away I took the bobcat pic. Using my range finder I was surprised the actual distance was 175 yards, I am very pleased with the picture turnout.

Not a lot going on this morning, I did see a small bear track I'll bet after t he snow tonight and the cold temps next week this little guy finds a den sight real fast.

Now that the hunt is over I put out two trail cameras this morning. With the cold temps next week the predators should be on the move  . I put a set of lithium batteries on one of the cameras . It will be interesting to learn how much longer they last than standard alkaline batteries.


Jim


Sunday, December 4, 2016

Stay Aware Of Your Souroundings

The bobcat picture was given to me by a small flock of Mergansers.
I settled in early this morning watching a favorite cove. Wind was A bit nippy but I managed to stay still as the sun broke the horizon. This small flock of Mergansers would of made a nice picture in the in the suns first rays then dropping to the water. Not fifteen minutes went by and the were off. I managed to get one quick pic and then sat motionless.
I wondered why the Mergansers took to flight with only landing in the cove a short time ago.

I started scanning the distant shoreline and picked up on some movement. WOW ! a bobcat...
The bobcat was not aware of my presence as I watched it for about five  minutes .

This was another Quabbin top five wildlife experience.

Jim