Bears In The Berries

 

Two of my Massachusetts camera trap locations continue strong with consistent bear activity. The first area has lots of wild blueberry bushes that are loaded with berries. No problem finding bear scat filled with blueberries. Another week or so I will hike in and check those cameras. The second location has a bear stomp trail. I noticed it about a month ago and set up a trail camera. Sure thing, a trail camera videoed a bear stomping leaving scent with the bottom of its feet. The TC also videoed the bear scent marking a tree with its back. That is about as good as it gets with locating bear sign, right? NOPE, following the stomp trail a short way gave up a downed rotten tree that a bear had started to rip apart looking for insects. A week later I checked the downed tree and the bear had returned and ripped the tree apart even more looking for insect. (Missed opportunity on my part). Not wanting to miss a third opportunity I relocated one of my TC’s to the rotten downed tree. Hopefully in the next week or so the bear returns and forages some more.

I am starting to think about the upcoming moose rut and hope to capture a nice bull on video. Late August I will start moving cameras. I have already started scouting looking for new areas to set cameras.

Jim

Plenty of Moose

 

It has been a good year camera trapping moose. Hopefully this fall with the rut, bulls find my trail cameras. It has been a wet summer to say the least in Massachusetts. Last night serious thunderstorms and heavy rain blanketed the area, Rivers and streams are swollen to capacity. The weather looks good for this coming week. This will give time for the water to recede.

I did find a tree that was hit by lightning from the storm. When the tree was struck, it sent a six-foot splinter flying about thirty yards away and stuck in the ground standing straight up.

The pond I was at has two beaver lodges in view, both appeared were close to being submerged. My guess is the inside chamber was full of water and that is why the resident beavers were swimming around it.

 

Jim

Bears Still Scent Marking

 

Young male scent marks tree. This camera trap has only been at this location for a week. Several weeks ago, I stumbled upon what looked to be a bear stomp trail in this stand of hemlocks. Previously, the camera trap was set about twenty yards away, catching a bigger bear straddling hemlock sapling, Further investigation showed impressions in the soft substrate. So, I moved the trail camera hoping to video any bear leaving scent with its feet Well, the camera trap did not video and stomping activity but did capture a young male scent marking a big ole’ hemlock in mid-July. The video is on the cover page of my website.

Jim

Moose Calves & Winding Bear

 

It’s been a bittersweet week! The eaglets have fledged, and I no longer need to travel to the swamp. I’m a bit disappointed nest watching has ended. However, it gives me time to move on to other outdoor adventures. This morning I located some decent bear sign that I’ll share with you in the coming weeks.

Last week one of my camera traps videoed a cow moose with twins! This is a first for me,

https://youtu.be/Q81HDGStWl8

 

Ever wonder how a bear stays so elusive. It has a tremendous ability to smell danger long before you see it.

 

See how a bear might react if it heard or winded you? Likely this bear has picked up my scent. About an hour earlier I was changing the SD card in this trail camera, then made a big loop bushwhacking looking for bear sign, before hitting a cart road on the opposite of the swamp from the bear. I would estimate two hundred yards away. Notice when the bear stands up, it pivots left then right, using its nose to try and determine which direction my scent is coming from. Then the bear turns, opens its mouth using its olfactory senses to also try and determine scent direction.  Massachusetts – Bushnell Aggressor

Jim

Eagle Nest

 

My temporary address for the last twelve weeks has been Swamp Side Massachusetts watching an eagle nest. What an experience to say the least!  I spent about 90 hours watching the nest site. Some visits lasted only an hour and others four and five hours. You sit patiently hoping to get a minute of fast action when an adult eagle makes a food drop.

There were a number of outings that were complete boredom, like “watching grass grow”, This activity certainly challenges one’s patience. However, watching and photographing the eaglet’s feeding was exciting. I missed several food drops while setting up and another while dilly dallying with camera settings. I had sat for hours only to miss the opportunity, becoming distracted. I was pretty upset at myself for that. It is a process of learning. That happened only ONCE. Watching the eaglet’s behavior and interaction was an interesting and rewarding experience.

My goals for this project were:

1)      Learn more about eagles & nesting.

2)      Improve camera skills.

3)      Take field notes.

4)      Do I have the patience to see this through?

5)      Put together PowerPoint Presentation to share.

The project goals were check marked completed! Hopefully next year there will be another opportunity.

Camera equipment used:

-          Canon 7D Mark ii

-          400 mm lens

-          1.4 convertor

All photos required heavy cropping

Jim

Busy Week In The Woods

 

It has been a busy week in the woods. I set several more camera traps in an area I have not been in for a few years. It looks promising, will see!

Camera traps videoed a young bear on a log, captured a moose feeding on pond lilies during the light of day and a big ole snapping turtle climbing over a old beaver dam.  I took a stab at narrating a YouTube video. It will be a process of learning. The links are below.

Next week I will share my nest monitoring adventure.

 

Jim

https://youtu.be/SxJdkpgBkQ0

https://youtu.be/zz5WtTDIQ-M

https://youtu.be/_k6f5XwzJLE

Moose & Bear Activity

 

This Spring camera traps have been videoing moose activity in both new and old Massachusetts locations. Earlier in the season it appeared there may be three pregnant cow moose in three different areas. Camera traps did video one cow and calf so far. Yesterday’s camera trap check showed a cow that that did not appear to be carrying any longer. She may have hidden her calf while she was browsing. I do not recall ever camera trapping more than one cow and calf in any given year. Might this be the year?

Close but no cigar! The cover picture is a stream set I made early June targeting moose. Hopefully, a cow with a calf cross at this location.

 Checking my 2022 bear data, activity is consistent with last year’s captures. I am really surprised that trail cameras are not picking up more sow and cubs, now that the bear mating season is winding down. Hopefully, activity picks up.

Jim