Game Camera Working Overtime

The game camera was placed in the Quabbin a week ago. The results have been very good for only seven days. One Red Fox , One Bobcat and a picture with two coyotes ( night image) The anticipation when the camera was set out was a Bobcat, All I can say is that is has been a productive week for this camera. I set out a second camera at a different are of Quabbin in hopes of getting an early winter bear before they den. Hiking this weekend showed a number of bear tracks in the snow.

Watched a crow this morning at waters edge , was I surprised to watch it   grab a floating fish on the waters surface ! It was only 26 degrees....

You can see that a Perch was floating on the surface and the Crow able to grab it without submerging itself. It may be common practice. Its the first time I have seen this.
Jim

Game Camera Check

Pictured above is a Red Fox that revealed itself during the daylight hours on one of the two game cameras set out in  Quabbin  last Sunday. It was quite a treat to see this fox. They have been very elusive in my hiking with a camera.

The camera also clicked a night time coyote picture. This is what I call an evidence pic. Just showing enough detail to identify the animal. So this camera is off to a good start ! Maybe I will get a daytime pic of a coyote or even better a BOBCAT.

This morning hiking a favorite gate there was a immature loon chick still on the waters of Quabbin. Usually this late in the season Loons have headed to coastal waters for the winter.

While hiking this morning it didn't take very long before cutting a Bobcat track.

It excites me when I see animal sign such as tracks and scat. It gives you an idea of what type of animals are inhabiting the area.
Seeing these tracks this morning and poor walking conditions made for a nice morning to sit and just watch .
The morning held a lot of activity with....

Seeing (4) otters
Immature Loon
Several flocks of Hooded Mergansers
Several Flocks of Mallards

With a Bear still out and about and seeing a number of Bobcat tracks I decided to relocate one of the two cameras I put out last Sunday.
Jim

December Can Be Tough For Pictures

The doe on the title page presented a brief opportunity last week during the rain.

I have hiked both mornings this weekend with no picture opportunities. Several Loons were still on the reservoir and  two Otters kept me entertained but were distant.

I took this mornings dismal weather as an opportunity to set out two game cameras. I have been seeing consistent Bobcat sign ( tracks & scat) . It will be interesting to see if I can capture a picture!

 

Jim

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