Loons

Amazing only a few months ago Loons were extremely territorial. Today one mature and four immature Loons gathered together while another mature Loon with one immature loon where in close proximity.

 Many birds seen today. Cormorants , Eagle, Coopers Hawks and seven Loons

Hiked most of the morning in hopes of finding a Bull Moose. No luck today !

Jim

Named This Moose Snarly !

The title page picture above was one of the last pictures taken for the morning. Both moose appear to be young . The Bull Moose has one ugly set of antlers ! Hence I named him Snarly.

Sneaking into the back side of a NE swamp offered pics of this young cow feeding. No fooling her. She has me pegged!

This young bull was making a lot of noise wading and feeding. He frequently turned looking for his sweetheart.

A few more step and Snarly turned around and headed back towards the cow.

It made for a pretty eventful morning!

Jim

Weather ... HOT & HUMID !!

I spent the week watching several Quabbin swamps with very little wildlife activity. Temperatures in the low nineties and high humidity where certainly a challenge.
The Belted Kingfisher on the title page entertained me every morning.

This Bull Frog seemed more the okay with the warm weather and appears to be happy watching me.

Eastern King Birds where pretty much the only bird activity.

Several Painted Turtles on alert as I approached very slowly to capture this picture.

Evenings where a treat fishing the reservoir and listening to the Loons.

Most nights would end with my wife and I sitting around the campfire listening to a Barred Owl in the distant woods.

About as good a vacation one could ask for !

Jim

Camping In The Quabbin Area

My wife and I have been camping for the week, spending full days enjoying Quabbin. The extreme heat and humidity has kept us to a minimum with activity.
I have been sitting  watching a swamp with my camera each morning with absolutely no  mammal activity. Only two weeks ago watching this same swamp I was able to photograph a Doe & Fawn , Moose and a Great Horned Owl.
Not doubt the extreme heat has minimized all animal activity.
The picture below is the swamp I have been watching .

The reservoir has receded , which allows for  shore walking. It was  a perfect time to see if I could locate a decent coyote track in the mud and make a cast

These casts were just taken and lightly brushed off. The cast on the right is the coyote and the cast on the left appears to be a very small bobcat track.

Camp is now complete. All the comforts of home! The solar shower was hung up after the water heated in the sun.

Jim.

Watch Where Your Walking !

The Great  Egret is my first at Quabbin. I did catch glimpse of one several years back but this one although distant, provided a nice color contrast. I stumbled upon this while waiting for several bobcat track casts to dry.

I located these bobcat tracks while hiking on Friday. This is my first attempt at casting a track. I am  very pleased with the results. Should make for a good conversation piece

Also found a pretty seasoned skull and a painted turtle shell.

The smell of wild grapes was in the air!

Jim

Loon Behavior

What a beautiful day to put some miles on the ole' hiking boots. I would of never expected two separate Loon experiences while sitting on the reservoir shoreline enjoying a snack.
The first encounter  although distant, was a turf battle. A mature loon infringed on the territory of a family of loons with two chicks. Watching them through my binoculars, I was surprised to see two Loons chasing each other using there wings to propel themselves.

When the pursuer would catch the intruder, it appeared to be very physical. What amazed me was this chase went on for about a quarter of a mile. I couldn't imagine the energy expelled with this encounter.

 Looking down the shoreline there was a  muddy area that caught my eye. My first thoughts were that maybe I could find a bear track. Unfortunately no bear track to be found, but there was a decent track of a bobcat.

I was so focused on getting a picture of the bobcat track, I never saw the family of Loons slip into the cove behind me. Until ! there  enchanting call  startled me.
I was hoping to get a picture with getting a little closer to them. When the adults would dive I would take a few steps closing the distance.
The adults  did  catch two fish while in the cove. The chicks waste no time in grabbing the fish from the adult Loons .

Not sure on the bird above....... Some type of Piper
Jim

Quiet Pursuit

I followed this family of deer this morning for a short while. It was a challenge to keep up and attempt to walk quietly.

No doubt they were aware I was following.

Somewhat out of focus ! Guess I blew it !! This was close. Oh well maybe next tine.
Jim