Author: Nancy

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North Hartland Lake 7/2/2020

We were the first people at the lake this morning and it makes a difference on what we see. We started by watching a family of killdeer at the beach.

Killdeer. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

We saw at least 4 groups of deer, mostly at a distance, but one fawn swam across the river near us.

Young deer swimming. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

A great blue heron flew down the river, the first we’ve seen this year.

Great blue heron. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

The eagle’s nest was a center of activity. An adult was in a nearby tree, being attacked by a kingbird.

Eagle being attacked by a kingbird. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

There were two immature eagles on branches near the nest. And a second adult eagle was across the lake.

Immature bald eagle. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

The wildflowers were different than last week.

Yellow loosestrife. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20

And the painted turtles were out sunning themselves.

Painted turtles on a log. North Hartland Lake, VT 7/2/20
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From my kayak 6/25-27

One of our favorite paddling spots, North Hartland Lake, is now open Wednesday-Sunday! The eagles have built a nest, but we didn’t see any evidence of eaglets.

Bald eagle. Hartland, VT 6/25/20

We saw the usual painted turtles and spotted sandpipers and were treated with some deer.

Painted turtle. Hartland, VT 6/25/20
Spotted sandpiper on the boom. North Hartland Dam, Hartland, VT 6/25/20
Deer. Hartland, VT 6/25/20

The next day, on the Connecticut River, we came across a large snapping turtle sunning himself. Over the years, we have seen him a few times before, but always underwater.

Snapping turtle and dragon fly. Lebanon, NH 6/26/20

The kingbirds are trying for a second clutch of eggs in at least two nests.

Kingbird with nest. Hanover, NH 6/26/20

And the damselflies are out and about.

Damselfly on my kayak. Hanover, NH 6/26/20

Today on the Ompompanoosuc, we found the family of geese, now getting their adult feathers.

Canada goose with half grown goslings. Norwich, VT 6/27/20

We also saw a family of common mergansers.

Common merganser family. Norwich, VT 6/27/20
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Eshqua Bog 6/23/2020

Yesterday we made our annual pilgrimage to the Eshqua Bog, a fen in Hartland, VT. The showy lady slippers were in full bloom.

Showy lady slipper. Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT 6/23/2020
Showy lady slippers. Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT 6/23/2020

We also saw other flowers.

Water avens. Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT 6/23/2020
Bog orchid. Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT 6/23/2020
Virginia raspberry. Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT 6/23/2020

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Grafton Pond 6/18

Jane and I went to Grafton Pond last week to see the loons.

As we approached the pond, we found a family on Canadian geese on the dam.

Canadian geese on the dam. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

We saw a few loons.

Loon. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
Loon stretching. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

While investigating some frog song, I came across a couple of large brown eggs in a mud nest.

Loon eggs. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

Realizing what they were, I backed away and along came a loon who lumbered up onto the nest.

Loon climbing onto the nest. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
Loon on nest. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
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From my kayak 5/28-6/15

We’ve kayaked a couple of times a week on the Connecticut River or on the Ompompanoosuc. The geese and ducks are out with their families.

Family of Canadian geese. Hanover, NH 5/28/2020
Canadian geese. Norwich,VT 6/13/2020
Mallard family. Wilder, VT 6/4/2020
Mallards 6/14
Mallard family eating snails. Lebanon, NH 6/14/2020
Merganser trying to lead us away from its nest. Norwich, VT 6/13/2020

Other birds are showing their colors.

Grackle. Wilder, VT 6/4/2020
Flicker. Norwich, VT 6/8/2020

The kingbirds have nested.

Kingbird in nest. Wilder, VT 6/4/2020

And the red-winged blackbirds are guarding their territory from predators.

Turkey vulture. Norwich, VT 6/8/2020
Mink. Wilder, VT 6/15/2020