A Day On Quabbin

I was able to enjoy Quabbin from a boat earlier this week. It was a good day seeing eagles. This mature adult carrying a fish started the day

Watching the trees along the shore line presented the opportunity below. The title picture  was taken as the boat rounded an island.

 
What appeared to be four loons in close proximity raised a question about territory and boundaries.

 
The day also presented a  distant pic of hooded merganser and her chicks

Peaceful Morning

Hike this morning was ALIVE with birds. I did see three Scarlet Tanager's high in the tree tops. On the return trip  poking along light breeze in my face   this young buck walked out of the wood line about twenty yards from me. It passed not 20 feet from me, then caught my scent and was GONE!

Yesterday while hiking to Rattlesnake Hill this porcupine was out for a afternoon snack.

Below are two views from Rattlesnake Hill . South view

North view

 Jim

Time To EnjoyReflect !

My daughter is home for a few days .She is in the Air Force and is frequently overseas supporting our US Troops. She lives in a different part of the country so we don't get to spend much time together.
Earlier in the week we hiked  out to Soapstone Hill. It was wonderful sharing the enjoyment I get from  Quabbin with her.

Weather permitting we are off to Rattlesnake Hill tomorrow
Jim

Swamp Talk

Sitting quietly at a swamps edge can be very eventful. This particular Quabbin swamp had one nesting pair of Blue Herons.

After leaving the nest a Red Wing Black Bird harassed this heron until  it finally left the area

The moves by the Blue Heron were impressive as it tried to avoid the Red Wing Black Bird.

This Merganser was upset about something.

Just a few yards from the swamp  I caught  glimpse of something that flew quickly into a hole in a maple tree  I really questioned myself as to whether it flew into the hole or by the tree. There was no sign of wear around the entrance hole. Patience paid off.  Not sure what this duck this is, . Researching  cavity nesting ducks identified a half dozen that may nest in new England. If I where to guess I am leaning towards a wood duck.

The final treat was a Scarlet Tanager in perched high in a maple tree.

Jim

Lady Slipper Heaven

I can always find a few Lady Slippers scattered throughout the Quabbin Woods this time of year. This morning I located  two dozen plans in a very small area. This was this largest concentration of plants I have ever seen.

On the ride home I made a couple of quick stops.

A number of swallows were doing the aerial stunts over a field.

Sun stayed out just long enough for these guys to get a few rays

Jim

A Long Hike Today

The plan this morning was to hike past the East Branch of Fever Brook then down Double Day Village Rd. Then across
the ladder bridge on to  the cart road that runs along Rattlesnake Hill. Didn't quite work out that way. The ladder used to cross Fever Brook is no longer in place. I followed the brook down to the reservoir. Risk much to high to cross.

 No Luck.I had to hike back the way I came.

Reservoir looked peaceful.

Nice pic of a Thrush. Will Identify later

Jim

What A Find Today !

Headed out very early this morning to a northeast gate.Couldn't ask for a nicer start to the day. Clouds moved out early and the black flies were tolerable as long as your kept moving. The plan was to sit at a swampsedge but I got distracted.....

What a find !

Antler weighed just over 5 lbs

Jim