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?
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.
Adult bald eagle. North Hartland Lake. VT. 5/28/23
Red tail hawk. North Hartland Lake. VT. 5/28/23
Immature bald eagle. North Hartland Lake. VT. 5/28/23
Turkey vulture. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/30/23
Bobolink. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/30/23
Red winged blackbird. Ompompanoosuc River. Norwich, VT. 5/30/23
great crested flycatcher Connecticut River Lebanon, NH 5/26/23
Canada goose family. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/30/23
We have also seen a few mammals: Three deer (two on the Connecticut and one on the Pompy) and a muskrat.
Muskrat. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 5/30/23
Deer on the tracks. Connecticut River, Norwich, VT 5/26/23
After a winter of walking with the dogs, we are looking forward to getting back in the kayaks.
On Tuesday, Jane and I went out to Grafton Pond. It was the only day this week that didn’t have a windy afternoon. We saw a few loons, some geese and a turtle, and enjoyed a lovely paddle. It was good to be back on the water.
Again this year I have calendars for sale. $20, plus $10 shipping. Let me know if you want one.
Gray squirrel
Mockingbird with bittersweet.Painted turtle on log with sundewMallard duckling and MomDoe behind the pickerel weeds. Cormorant drying its wings. Bald eagleFish for breakfast. Loons. Muskrat with leaves. Common mergansers. Wild turkeysCedar waxwingGreen heron in fog