painted turtle – Page 2 – Nancy's Corner

July 2, 2020

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

June 27, 2020

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.

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

Spotted sandpiper on the boom. North Hartland Dam, 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.

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

August 26, 2019

From my kayak 8/13-26

We have been out eight times in the past two weeks to our usual haunts: North Hartland Lake, Grafton Pond and the Connecticut River near Wilder, VT. We have seen birds:

Great blue heron –North Hartland Lake 8/25/19
Great blue heron –North Hartland Lake 8/18/19
Duck swimming between me and Jane’s kayak. Connecticut River 8/19/19
Ducks –Connecticut River 8/19/19
Wood ducks — Connecticut River8/13/19
Young loon –Grafton Pond 8/20/19
Sandpiper –North Hartland Lake 8/25/19
2 eagles — North Hartland Lake 8/25/19
Bald eagle — North Hartland Lake 8/24/19
Cedar waxwing — Connecticut River 8/26/19

as well as other animals and plants.

Deer drinking –Connecticut River 8/13/19
3 painted turtles –North Hartland Lake 8/25/19
Painted turtle with a peeling shell. North Hartland Lake 8/24/19
Fishing –Grafton Pond 8/20/19
Purple loosestrife with 2 types of bees. North Hartland Lake 8/25/19

Arrowroot — North Hartland Lake 8/18/19
Redosier dogwood– Connecticut River 8/13/19
Log in the fog –Connecticut River 8/26/19
The some falls at the base of Quechee Gorge. –North Hartland Lake 8/25/19

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019

Yesterday Jane, her son Jaimie, and I went to North Hartland Lake for my first paddle of the season. Turtles, turtles everywhere! On the boom near the dam. On logs up and down the river. On twigs floating in the river. On the mud flats. On rocks… The water was cold (in the 50’s) and the sun was warm.

Some of the turtles on the boom.
Painted turtles on some sticks
Painted turtle
Painted turtles on a log

We also saw eagles, young and old, in the trees and in the air. A hawk in the air. Not many water fowl and only in the distance. A few warblers and sandpipers.