Nancy

July 16, 2023

Kayaking 6/15-7/1

The weather has been iffy, with threats of thunderstorms almost daily, but we did get out in our kayaks a few times, mostly in our usual places but also in Molly’s Pond in Vermont.

Tim, Eric and Rick paddling in the smoke at Molly’s Pond 7/1/23

The birds have babies.

Canada geese with goslings. Ompompanoosuc River, 6/22/23

Mama merganser splashing to draw our attention away from her chicks. Connecticut River 6/29/23

Merganser family. Connecticut River 6/29/23

Loon with baby chick. Molly’s Pond 7/1/23

Loon chicks swimming towards us. Molly’s Pond 7/1/23

Eagle eyeing the loon’s nest. Molly’s Pond 7/1/23

Immature eagle taking off. North Hartland Lake 6/20/23

We also saw some other birds and animals.

Yellow throat. North Hartland Lake 6/20/23 — Yellowthroat. North Hartland Lake 6/20/23

Painted turtle. North Hartland Lake 6/20/23

June 27, 2023

Jane and I made two trips to the Eshqua Bog in Hartland, VT this year: one in early June and the other a few days ago. The bog has many unusual plants, including a couple of types of lady slippers. The yellow ones bloom in early June.

Yellow lady slipper. Eshqua Bog, 6/8/2023

The showy lady slippers bloom in late June.

Showy lady slippers. Eshqua Bog. 6/26/2023

A patch of showy lady slippers. Eshqua Bog. 6/26/2023

We found a white lady slipper among the showy lady slippers, a mutation?

White lady slipper. Eshqua Bog. 6/26/2023

There are other bog flowers present:

Water avens with a bee. Eshqua Bog. 6/8/2023

Butterfly. (Northern Crescent?). Eshqua Bog. 6/25/23

June 14, 2023

From my kayak 6/1 -6/12

We had a few trips in our kayaks, though the weather didn’t always cooperate.

Jane in the rain. North Hartland Lake. 6/3/23

Taking refuge under the highway bridge. Ompompanoosuc river 6/10/23

We did get a chance to see some birds: some unusual ones, and more of the standbys.

Black legged kittiwake Lake Fairlee 6/12/23

Immature cormorant high in a pine tree, panting. Connecticut River 6/1/23

The mallard drakes have gathered together and are molting. The baby mallards are hatching, and have to beware of hungry loons and osprey.

Mallard drake preening. Connecticut River 6/1/23

Young mallard ducklings. Connecticut River 6/6/23

Loon chasing ducklings. Connecticut River 6/6/23

May 30, 2023

From my kayak 5/26-30

The kayaking season has gotten off to a good start. We’ve been out three days this week, to our regular haunts: The Connecticut River from Wilder, North Hartland Lake and the Ompompanoosuc River in Norwich.

The birds are flying, perching, singing, nesting and taking care of families.