Nancy's Corner

July 9, 2016

July 6-8

This past week we have paddled on North Hartland Lake and the Connecticut. We saw more mammals than usual: Deer in North Hartland

Deer --North Hartland Lake — Deer –North Hartland Lake

and beaver in both North Hartland Lake and the Connecticut.

Beaver -- Connecticut River — Beaver — Connecticut River

Beaver --North Hartland Lake — Beaver –North Hartland Lake

We also saw a variety of birds.

Song Sparrow -- North Hartland Lake — Song Sparrow — North Hartland Lake

"Who you lookin' at?" Connecticut River — “Who you lookin’ at?” Connecticut River

Mama mallard guarding her babies. Connecticut River

Mallard duckling -- Connecticut River — Mallard duckling — Connecticut River

including some unusual ducks.

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016

Connecticut River, Bradford to Orford

Yesterday, I kayaked the stretch of the Connecticut River from Bradford, VT to Orford, NH with Jane’s family. It was a trip down memory lane for me. My sister, Barb, (and sometimes others) paddled this stretch several times, camping near Piermont, painting several scenes each trip.

We had a relaxing paddle,

did some bird watching,

but were very glad to see the Orford bridge.

We ended the trip with a stop for ice-cream in Fairlee.

June 29, 2016

Wildlife 6/18-28

We paddled on the Connecticut, Mink Brook and North Hartland Lake during the past couple of weeks. The ducklings are getting older (and there are fewer of them).

Mama wood duck and ducklings --6/18 — Mama wood duck and ducklings –6/18

Ducklings on log --6/23 — Ducklings on log –6/23

We watched a ruffed grouse and her babies for a while.

and saw an immature eagle catch and eat a fish.

Immature eagle with fish -- 6/25 — Immature eagle with fish — 6/25

Immature eagle eating fish --6/25 — Immature eagle eating fish –6/25

Yellow warbler --6/18 — Yellow warbler –6/18

Red winged blackbird male --6/18 — Red winged blackbird male –6/18

Mourning dove --6/18 — Mourning dove –6/18

A beaver swam close to my kayak.

Beaver splash --6/23 — Beaver splash –6/23

June 17, 2016June 17, 2016

Wildlife seen 6/10 to 6/17

During the past week, we have paddled on the Connecticut River, North Hartland Lake and the Ompompanoosuc River and have seen a variety of critters.

A loon with winter plumage on its head and summer plumage on its body.

June 7, 2016

Eshqua bog

Jane and I have made a couple of trips to Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT this spring.The first on was on May 27. We had been hoping that the lady’s slippers would be in bloom, but it was too early. We did see other spring flowers.

Soloman's seal, May 27 --Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT — Soloman’s seal, May 27 –Eshqua Bog, Hartland, VT

Today’s trip was more fruitful. We not only saw two varieties of lady’s slippers,

Yellow lady's slipper — Yellow lady’s slipper

Showy lady's slipper — Showy lady’s slipper

but also other bog flowers.

The dragon flies, butterflies and a hummingbird also put in an appearance.