The ticks and deer flies were certainly a challenge !

It was all worth it when the mature whitetail showed up. I went undetected as it fed and worked it's way across a beaver dam.

Jim

Morning Swamp Watching

Man... Was it muggy this morning ! I decided to head in deep and watch over a quiet swamp.

The muskrat pictured above went about its business feeding right in front of me.

A little earlier a commotion broke out in the middle of the swamp as this immature duck was being scolded and chased by mom.

Before leaving I changed the SD card in a trail camera located near by.

It did a video a moose during the day as it walked right by the tree the TC was strapped to.

Jim

It was a wonderful day yesterday at Quabbin , spending a good part of it motoring up and down the reservoir looking for photo opportunities. One could not of have asked for nicer weather !

My 6:15 AM arrival at Gate 43 found only two cars in line and many rental boats still tied to the dock.  If your planning to rent a boat its best to arrive early. By 6:30 the boat was loaded and my direction would be straight North ,motoring along the east side of Mt Zion hoping to see a bear or some other mammal before cutting through the gap between Mt Zion & Mt L. Unfortunately, not much mammal activity. Once through the “Gap “the direction would be dead south to Curtis Island. There is re minis of a stone country club house built prior to the dismantling of the four towns. The plan was to attempt to get a picture from the choppy waters  of the field stone foundation. Docking the boat on any Quabbin island is FORBIDDEN.

It won’t be too many years before the island trees and foliage block any view of this once building.

Guess you can say we have seen the “Yellow Barrels “which indicates the end of the road. Public boats are not allowed beyond this point. Also is the Shaft 12 Pump House on the distant shore

Heading NW, it wouldn’t be too long before hitting the east shore of Prescott Peninsula. Boat traffic was considerable so the new course would be to head back to the ‘Gap’ and head over to Leveau Island. The NE side of the island found calmer waters with a Loon popping up a short distance from the boat. Wouldn’t you know it… I just happen to have my camera ready.

In the 18 miles boating yesterday, I would check out three eagle nesting sites where two eagles had not fledged and one had. I managed to get a few pics from each nest site.

A single eagle chick sitting very high up waiting for its next meal. The adult eagle was only a short distance away.

A nice steady breeze and  this eagle chick was hovering a few inches above the nest.

The cover picture is of the fledged eagle chick

A very nice day afield (afloat)

Jim

Ever See A Chipmunk Swim

Watching a swamp, a distant small wake caught my attention. I was sure that this would be my first pic opportunity of a Muskrat Kit. Was I surprised when a chipmunk climbed up on the branch. Even more surprised  that it swam about 100 yards across the swamp and a raptor or turtle didn't seize the opportunity for a meal.

The chipmunk rested for a minute , then made a spectacular dive from the branch above.

It did finally make it to the shore. Makes you wonder what possessed it to swim across the swamp. Predator? Just a good day for a swim?

Quabbin wildlife pic opportunities have been SLOW. I'm still out there wearing out the soles of my boots. The only change is, I'm  occasionally checking trail cameras. Last week the trail cameras videoed a couple Moose easting swamp grass and a few  Fawns.

Gypsy Month Caterpillars have really destroyed the Quabbin Trees this year. Wonder if there will be any acorns this fall. If not, It will certainly negatively impact wildlife with fattening up for the winter

Jim

 

Finally, Some hot weather......

Critter movement this morning was slow. I did look underneath a piece of scrap wood and found the Mild Snake above coiled up and content.

I did see two does off in the distance. Trail Cameras have been active. I will put something together a video clip in the fall

Jim

Early Morning Deer Moving

Took this pic on my early ride to Quabbin this morning

Deer have been plentiful !

Jim

This Is A First !

Not far from Quabbin gate on the ride home this morning I spotted this doe and it's bird friend standing about 200 yards deep in a field. The deer was behaving a little strange. I'll bet it had a fawn laying in the grass in close proximity. This is a first time ever seeing a bird sitting on a deer's back. I'm guessing its a female Red Winged Black Bird. I kept my distance , clicked a few pics and moved on.
Jim