Maine RV Camping

 

 It’s the last day camping north of Acadia NP in Maine. The view couldn’t be better (pic below) while putting together this week’s Blog. Kayaking at an ocean bay  earlier in the week presented wildlife picture opportunities. While paddling along,  pogeys ( bait fish) started to jump out of the water. A good sign was pushing them to the surface. With fish jumping, ospreys started to circle. Then a young harbor seal popped up out of the water presenting a nice pic opportunity. My next challenge was to see if I could take a photo of an osprey catching a fish. Paddling along again, pogeys started surfacing. No seals were seen , but I was able to get an osprey diving and catching a fish. It’s not an awesome pic but better than anything I have to date.  An interesting observations the last two weeks, eagles will harass an osprey in attempt to get it to drop its catch and roosting eagles are harassed by seagulls.

Jim

Nice view !

Osprey catches fish.

Massachusetts Moose Rut Coming Soon

 

It’s that time of year to start thinking about the Massachusetts moose rut and setting camera traps. This is when moose are the most active and the best chance to see or video a mature bull. I’m hoping to locate a “ Moose Wallow Pit “ this year. This is when a bull moose scrapes a shallow depression with its leg , urinates in it, then use its antlers to mix it up. When that is complete the bull will lay in it and roll. The scent from a mature bull will attract female moose.

The attached video shows just how it’s done. My friend ( John H.) was in Maine taking moose pictures several years ago, and found an active moose wallow. Imagine seeing this !  Thanks John. https://youtu.be/zGL3ZZKe-Pg

I’ll start bushwhacking looking for areas that show potential sign for setting trial cameras.

Cover pic from previous year

Jim

First MA Bobcat Kitten This Year

 

I’ll bet you thought my camera traps only videoed Massachusetts bears. I’ve had a number of trail cameras deployed hoping to capture unique bobcat behavior. Nothing earth shattering but was neat to FINALLY get a mom and kitten. Since early May, fifty bobcats have passed my trail cameras. This is the first with a kitten. These two are interested in a beaver side that has a mild scent of beaver castor. The date was wrong on the Gardepro, glad the Browning HP5 was on the other side of the beaver dam. https://youtu.be/61O_Pr2iLMM

Jim

Bear Alert !

 

 This is a different sow than the one I’ve shared the last several weeks. This sow has three cubs. It appears one cub has fallen behind and makes some type of sound. Turn your volume up and hear the sow “ grunt” several times telling the two cubs to climb a tree. Interesting how fast the sow reacted to the situation. https://youtu.be/74zX_hRsMwE

Jim

Cub Problem Solving

 

Here are two examples of bear cub(s) problem solving. One cub had to figure something out to  keep up with mom and sibling. A “ Precise” drop from the overhanging branch onto the log bridge fixed that problem. The next day things were not the same. A drop from the overhanging branch would result in landing in a fast-flowing stream. https://youtu.be/8G6Jrl3x2Fc

This week’s camera trap check showed extraordinarily little activity. The HOT weather surely contributed to less wildlife movement. Tomorrow I am off to check deep woods camera trap sets. I expect to find slow activity in this area with bear activity slowing down. Maybe I’ll get lucky ?

Jim

Sow & Cubs Cross Log Bridge

 

Last weeks cover picture was a sow and two cubs crossing a log bridge suspended over a stream. That video grab was from the trail camera that was positioned looking east. There is also a trail camera looking west. I couldn’t get to that trail camera on the opposite side of the stream last week due to extremely high water levels. This area is prone to flooding with heavy rain from thunderstorms.

https://youtu.be/QTtaRp36HBg

Jim

Tranquil to Raging

 

These hot humid days aren’t for me ! Even early morning hiking to check SD cards can be uncomfortable. Last week I set camera traps along a shallow stream hoping to capture wildlife foraging along the stream bed. Given one nasty thunderstorm last week, it may be a while . I was hoping to use my Gopro this morning and share my camera trap sets. It will have to wait a while.

https://youtu.be/O1GvAgaZNbg

 

Jim