Nancy

May 26, 2020

McDaniels Marsh 5/25

We had a good day at McDaniels. A little chilly and windy, but the wildlife viewing was excellent. The highlight of the day was seeing an American bittern, a lifer for me.

American bittern McDaniels Marsh, NH. 5/25/20

The blackbirds were plentiful,

Red-winged blackbird. McDaniels Marsh, NH. 5/25/20

as were the Canadian geese.

Canadian geese. McDaniels Marsh, NH. 5/25/20

We even saw a loon pair.

The frogs were singing mating calls,

and the osprey was watching it all.

May 24, 2020

We have had some warmer weather and the water temperatures are now above 50, so we’ve taken to the water. The quarantine rules have relaxed some, so I am traveling a bit farther afield. I drove to Squam Lake, spent the day with my niece and her husband, washed a few windows and took a short paddle.

The next day, Jane and I met her brother, sister, and brother-in-law for a delightful kayak on Upper Baker Pond in Orford. We saw a pair of loons, some white flowering bushes,

Shad bush (Service Berry?) Upper Baker Pond, NH 5/21/20

and one mallard drake. Is the hen sitting on a nest?

Mallard drake. Upper Baker Pond, NH 5/21/20

We kayaked on the Connecticut River out of Wilder on Saturday. We came across a family of geese.

Canada goose family. Connecticut River, NH 5/22/20

It was finally warm enough that we heard the frogs singing.

Spotted sandpiper. Connecticut River, VT. 5/23/20

May 18, 2020

Spring 2020

In this year of Covid19, it has been a long time in coming, but spring has arrived.

Wildlife Rd. in spring. Hartford, VT 5/18/20

The birds are doing spring things.

The animals are out and about.

Bear in our driveway. Hartford, VT 5/5/20

And the spring flowers are blooming.

Pussy willow with bee. Hartford, VT 4/28/20

Jack in the pulpit. Hartford, VT 5/18/20

October 28, 2019

From my kayak 9/17-10/14

It has been a beautiful fall: some rain, some sun and dropping temperatures.

Storm’s a-coming. Connecticut River, Orford, NH 9/24/19

We continued to paddle a few times a week.

Reflections. Connecticut River, Fairlee, VT 9/24/19

Rick. Lake Katherine, Piermont, NH 9/21/19

Barb with yellow tree. Squam Lake, Holderness, NH 10/13/19

Colorful trees across the cove. Squam Lake, Holderness, NH 10/12/19

We haven’t seen a lot of wildlife: a few ducks, geese, a green heron…

Mallard flying. Connecticut River, Fairlee, VT 9/24/19

Green heron. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/18/19

Bald eagle. Squam Lake, Holderness, NH 10/13/19

Loon in winter garb. Goose Pond, Canaan, NH 10/14/19

Hornet’s nest. Connecticut River, Hanover, NH 10/5/19

Chipmunk. Connecticut River, Norwich, VT 9/28/19

Geese flying. Goose Pond, Canaan, NH 10/14/19

Moose Mountain. Goose Pond, Canaan, NH 10/14/19

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. The water is now below 50 and because we don’t have wet/dry suits, we have put the kayaks away for the season.

September 17, 2019

From my kayak 8/27-9/17

We’ve been in our kayaks often in the past few weeks and have see a lot.

Great blue herons have appeared in most the the usual spots, but doing some unusual things.

Great blue heron with pond lilies.–Ompompanoosuc River 8/27/19

Great blue heron displaying. North Hartland Lake 8/31/19

This heron landed near another heron and put on this display.

“What’s that invading my marsh?” Great blue heron –McDaniel’s Marsh 9/7/19

Great blue heron fishing from a perch. Grafton Pond 9/10/19

The heron was fishing from a branch a few feet above the water, dove into the water, missed the fish, struggled back up to the branch and ruffled his feathers to dry off.