loon – Page 4 – Nancy's Corner

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

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.

August 13, 2019

From my kayak 7/27-8/11

We have spent the month on our local lakes/rivers with an occasional foray to more distant bodies of water.

Great blue heron –North Hartland Lake -7/27/19
Great blue heron –North Hartland Lake 7/27/19
Great blue heron. — Ompompanoosuc River 7/28/18
Great blue heron –North Hartland Lake 8/2/19
Green heron –Connecticut River 7/29/19
Common loon –Grafton Pond 7/30/19
Common loon. –Grafton Pond 7/30/19
Fish for baby. Common loon– Grafton Pond, NH 7/30/19
Loon on display –Grafton Pond 7-30-19
White great heron –North Hartland Lake 8/2/19
Bald Eagle –North Hartland Lake 8/2/19
Osprey –North Hartland Lake 8/10/19
Wood duck –North Hartland Lake 8/2/19
Spotted sandpiper –North Hartland Lake 8/2/19
Bee on pickerel weed. –North Hartland Lake 8/10/19
Butterfly on Joe Pye weed.–North Hartland Lake 8/10/19
A dragon fly –Grafton Pond 7/30/19
Twelve spotted dragon fly –Connecticut River 7/29/19
Pond lily with damsel fly –Ompompanoosuc River 7/28/19

July 11, 2019

From my kayak 6/22-7/11

We have spent several days a week in our kayaks for the past few weeks. We have just seen a few ducks and geese this year, but a wide variety of other wildlife.