Very Quiet Weekend

Hiked two NE Gates this weekend with little wildlife activity. I did see and hear a single loon both days. This morning just after passing the yellow gate I jumped what sounded like a moose,. breaking of large branches as it distanced itself from me.
I would of thought with such a mild weekend the animal activity would of been high.

Guess Not !

Jim

Eventful Early Morning

The coyote above  was prowling the shoreline early dawn this morning. Things were going well as it approached where I was sitting , then it crossed my scent and STOPPED like it hit a wall! It looked my way intensely then turned and ran.

On a distant shoreline I watched two mature and two immature eagles . Three are on the bottom left and the fourth is flying in the top right of the picture. Surely the immature Eagles are the off spring of the two adults in the picture.

Also tried my hand with a few BIF pic as these Mergansers took to the air.

I also found a number of bobcat tracks in my hike this morning.  I will pack some Plaster of Paris tomorrow.

Jim

Light Rain - Early Dawn

I figured I would head out early hoping to get a few hours in before the rain !

No such luck. When I arrived at Quabbin the skies stayed dark and light rain started. I was able to squeak out a few picture before the rain picked. The doe above presented a brief opportunity as she moved through the hardwoods.

This was my first picture. It was barely light and I had to make a few camera setting changes.

This young doe also presented a quick pic opportunity. Notice the thick coat.

 

Jim

How Appropriate ! Turkey's On Thanksgiving

What an interesting morning at Quabbin today. As I was watching a distant shoreline a flock of turkey's were working the shoreline. As the flock reached the point with nowhere to go but fly, what appeared to be a second flock merged and an all our pushing and shoving match took place.
Things calmed down after a few minutes and then two Tom's started strutting their stuff. I have only seen this behavior in the spring during mating season.
The strutting stance went on for about ten minutes. How neat though to see this on Thanksgiving Day!
Also, have you ever wondered if a turkey would wade ( me neither  lol) But they do !

On my hike back to the truck I was able to get this pic of a juvenile Black Bellied Plover.

Yes , and finally a bear still out in the area leaving its calling card for me to find.

Jim

Last Ditch Efforts To Get A Bear Picture

I did a lot of wandering this morning in effort to get a picture of a bear before they den. The morning started with a beautiful sunrise as I followed the brook in the picture above. The sun touching the background made for a nice touch.

I found this bear scat in my travels. Looks like the bear found a few apples to eat this late in the fall. Most bears stay out an about until they cant forage enough food ( calories) to keep them warm.
I can tell you the pickins' are becoming scarce in the area I was hiking this morning.
Well. it's nice to know that  the bear has not hibernated yet.My days are numbered !
Jim

Stay On Track

Beautiful morning to be out and about. I didn't see much more than a Seagull and a Loon in the distant water. However I did see where the animals had been. I followed the bear tracks shown above for a mile or so along the shoreline.

I did find what appeared to be a very small Bobcat track

Before calling it a day I found this pile of Salmon eggs. This is the time of the year Salmon spawn. There was little evidence as to what led to the eggs just laying on the shoreline. My guess is that a raptor plucked the fish from the shallow water and may have landed on the shoreline where the Salmon released the eggs. There was no sign of any mammal tracks in close proximity of the eggs.

Jim

Nice Dawn, Then Windy , Slow For Wildlife Viewing

What a beautiful view for the start of the day. Unfortunately a short time after this sunrise the wind picked up . Windy days are a challenge for seeing wildlife. That being said, it was sure nice hiking staying comfortable with no bugs!
I did see one Barred Owl and two Partridge.

The only critter seen was a Chipmunk,

Jim