Eventful Morning !

Couldn't of been a better Father's Day with the activity this morning. I left the house shortly after 5:00 AM to hike my favorite east side gate. I hadn't hiked a half mile when the action started. Walking quite and really being aware of what's going on presented this opportunity. I saw something off in the distance in the grass along the road edge that looked out of place. I focused my lens on it . Holy Crap ! It's a bobcat....

 

Still unaware of my presence, the cat was concerned with something over its head.

 

Curiosity did get this cat as it tried to figure out what I was.

 

It took off running , stopping short before slipping into the woods. I stood motionless. The cat turned and started walkingback towards me.

Then sat down and just stared at me

I must have moved with the camera ( Shi......) Oh well what an AWESOME Experience.
A bobcat pic has eluded me. Till Today :)
The pic opportunities continued as the morning went on. I was on my way to the waters edge when this guy got my attention

Ring Snake.

Then on my hike back to the road I found this tree frog

 

On my ride home from Quabbin I stopped at another swamp. While watching these otter pups play an Osprey perched a short distance away.

This what I call a " GOOD DAY"
Jim

Almost !

The plan today was to hike a west side gate in hopes of maybe catching a doe and a fawn feeding. Absolutely a beautiful morning to be hiking with a camera. Birds where everywhere singing. I was able to catch a quick glimpse of a Blackburnian Warbler.

I did see a doe in my travels that clearly was nursing. She called out to her fawn to stay put. I clicked a couple of quick pics and went on my way.

Jim

Something Different

I spent a few days up north in Baxter State Park. I hiked Katahidin and had a chance to take in some casual hiking while getting a few pics. Nothing spectacular. However , the moose and deer in one picture is neat !

This young bull walked the shoreline getting close for this caption.

The caption below I find very interesting with the deer and moose.

Jim

Turtle Time !

Today's hike was at a Northeast gate.. Turtles have been busy laying eggs. I passed over a half dozen or so nests . Several had been raided . Probably by a raccoon or a fox. I stumbled onto a snapping turtle laying eggs.

On the return trip this painted turtle had just finished laying eggs.

Yesterday time didn't permit a Quabbin hike. However ,I did have an opportunity to get out for a short time near Quabbin. . This Osprey is my first sighting and pic in MA.

Jim

Birds In Flight

Hiked to one of my favorite east side swamps this morning. I settled in with hopes of maybe catching a moose wading, Beautiful sunny morning with little mammal activity , On the ride home I decided to check a field out hoping to see blue birds and maybe a bobolink,
One of the two isn't bad.

And a quick BIF

Jim

Wet Morning !

Wasn't able to hike this morning. Every attempt  to leave the truck with camera in hand ended up quickly getting back into the truck before getting soaked.. However, I did manage to get a few captions.This doe was extremely curious. I was behind the camera and she was not quite sure what I was, She closed the gap by 10 yards before turning and walking away.

This turkey was sprinting as I tried to capture one presentable pic.

Jim

Morning Of Birds

This mornings hike would take me to one of my favorite swamps. My plan was  to sit in hopes of seeing a doe with a fawn. Wasn't to be this morning. While sitting quite, a variety of birds kept me entertained.

Scarlet Tanger

Tree Swallow

Common Yellow Throat Warbler

Gray Cheeked Thrusher

Yellow Warbler

Spotted Sandpiper

Looking toward Goodnough Dike from the east shore of Gate 50

Jim