Test Of Patience

Not with the coldest morning of the season hiking, but with a doe.

She was going to let me walk by. When I spotted her the test started. Wind was light in my face.So she was challenged.

She approaches to about ten yards. I don't dare to blink my eyes.

She checks the air for scent with her tongue.

Cautiously she continues to close the gap. She is at 8 yards and moving closer.

Literally in my face at about 5/6 yards.

The doe is still uncertain as she checks the air again for my scent as she continues closer

This is as close as she gets

One last look at me before wandering off.

Very enjoyable experience. !!
Jim

Light Snow Eventful Day !

What a beautiful morning to be out hiking with a camera. I started out early swinging through QP.
Deer were on the move. I was actually killing a little tine hoping the sun would break through before heading over to a favorite NE Gate.

Enfield Lookout with a dusting of snow.

As did this small pond



 Once arriving at the gate  It didn't take very long before things got hectic..

While I was getting this picture I caught glimpse of a second moose.

I was able to get a few pics before she disappeared.

The call of an immature Loon and a soaring  Red Tail Hawk finished the morning.

Jim

Crisp & Quiet

Not much going on this morning. Deer rut in full swing.  I was hoping to get a pic of a buck on the move....

I did  find this Not sure what it is. A guess would be some type of shroud for a tractor accessory.


Any guesses

Jim

Not Quabbin Related , However Quite A Treat For Halloween !

Some generous folks gave me the opportunity to participate in the South Central MA Saw-whet Owl banding project.

The process was quite interesting listening to three experts explain specifics about the raptor and the detail around how the owl is captured , and the data collected .

Its amazing just how small the Saw-Whet is/! My hand in the photo above gives a good perspective.

Jim

Beavers Made Interesting Morning

Saturday morning I spent a couple of hours watching over a SE beaver swamp. The heavy rain this week certainly filled this pond to capacity. It didn't take long before the beavers where aware of my presence. Sitting very still with a  light wind in my favor  brought several beavers in very close!

Certainly kept me entertained for the morning

Thought I would get an opportunity with this flock of male wood ducks landing. I moved and they picked right up on it.

This Redtail Hawk made a quick fly over before disappearing over the tree line.

This morning I sat at another swamp. Beavers were busy collecting vegetation as was a Sharp-shinned Hawk trying to avoid the Blue Jays. I stopped at a WMA on the ride home and was treated with seeing two Bluebirds.
Jim

Still a Few Color Pockets

The title page picture was taken from Quabbin Tower. Mt Monadnock can be seen in the distance, I would think that the tower will be closed for winter fairly soon.

A early start Saturday had me waiting in anticipation of a clear sunrise at New Salem Lookout. No luck! The sun disappeared into the clouds as soos as it broke the horizon.
Camera was starving for light, I was able to get this doe & skipper cleaning,

Just about done!

What are you looking at?

Jim

soapstone Before Sunrise

The picture above was the reward for hiking very early to beat the sun rising over Soapstone Hill.
The dense fog and the sun made for a beautiful start to the morning.

The only wildlife seen was the Brown Clipper above

Jim