Water Level Rising

This mornings was a WET hike ! It was good to see water flowing into the reservoir . Typically this time of year the reservoir is 95% + of capacity. April and May rain will hopefully keep adding to the needed water. The reservoir was 85.7 % of capacity May 1st. Its heading in the right direction !
A doe did pop out in front of me.

I took a terrible picture. Not sure why..... It was raining maybe I was  a hurry :(

Wild flowers are beginning to bloom-Buttercups

I moved one of my trail cameras that was facing west. The setting sun was tripping the sensor.

This looked like a good spot to put it!
Hope to catch a moose or bear wandering through this open area.
Jim

Great Weekend To Sit On The Shoreline....

Just hidden from view (inside the wood-line) and watched and listened. I was fortunate this small cove was uninterrupted by boat traffic and four loons would try and work out who had stake in this prime spot. I did see a glimpse of a band on one of the loons. Clearly two did not have bands. At times the loons became very vocal and aggressive working at driving the intruders away.

Three loons in the picture above.

This 4th loon thought best to leave the area. It was very vocal as it exited the cove.

Things quieted down when the forth loon flew away. I'll assume it was a male.....

It made for an interesting and fulfilled morning seeing several immature eagles, turkey's, and one mature eagle

Jim

Nice Start To The Morning

The anticipation of watching dawn set in while sitting in the " Quabbin Woods" is always a thrill. Hearing a Barred Owl in the distance singing it's song " who cooks for you " " who cooks for you all" is a great way to start any day. Then to have the owl came and visit his audience is a " Wicked Good Day"

Beautiful morning to be out ! It was cool, but birds were sing and walking was extremely quiet with the wet ground. For some reason I get my best photo opportunities on damp mornings. 
I was hoping for a bear or moose pic this morning. Well....... maybe tomorrow :)

Jim

Lots Of Activity Today

Even though Quabbin opened today for the 2017 fishing season with boats everywhere, bird activity was abundant.  A distant loon yodeling this morning made for a perfect start of the day. It flew by a good distance from me ( cover pic cropped and lightened ) you can see that is does not have any bands.
Wish I could be around when the resident loon returns and finds a stranger in the neighborhood !

 A very distant immature eagle made an attempt for breakfast.

A Palm Warbler watches over a swamp looking for a mate.

I have put out all of my trail cameras.  Many things learned from last year. Can't wait to see what happens this year ! The biggest change will be the frequency with checking them. Last year was weekly. My plan is to leave them out at least 4 weeks before checking . Stay tuned !

Jim

Trail Cameras Working

A bit windy this morning. I find windy days to be the least productive seeing wildlife. That being said, it was nice to see this small bear on my TC. This springs late snow and cold seemed to hold the bears in their dens later. Last year my first TC bear was March 8th this year March 28th.

Above is one of the cameras I set out this morning.  The anticipation from week to week wondering what the camera may have captured is neat !! Last years TC results were good, hoping to improve this year.

Off to a good start !!

Jim

Reservoir Was Active This Morning

While sitting just inside the wood-line on the reservoir this morning , an adult eagle landed in a white pine about seventy yards away not seeing me. It didn't provide a decent pic hidden behind branches.
I also sat at the shore of a small swamp for about fifteen minutes. Lots of activity.......

Still a little bit of ice. I did see....
immature eagle, hooded mergansers, belted kingfisher, red-wing black birds .

Also saw many tracks in the soft snow......
coyote, bobcat, turkey, raccoon, turkey, squirrel and deer

Certainly was a  nice morning to be out. With seasonable temperatures next week, activity in the woods next weekend should be good
Jim

Spring Is Sure To Come

The ice is just about gone on the reservoir coves , along with the back woods swamps.

The plan this morning was to set out two trail cameras ( TC on tree in top center of pic) and do some bushwhacking hoping to find a fresh bear track in the snow. Did get the two cameras out,but unfortunately no bear tracks.
The squeal of wood ducks and the sound of red wing black birds is a sure sign spring is just around the corner.
I also hiked into the cameras that are set out deepest in the Quabbin Woods. Was I surprised when I got home and viewed the SD card. The guy was bushwhacking with a camera around his neck. My guess would be that he probably was also looking for sheds.

Jim