ducks – Nancy's Corner

June 27, 2024June 28, 2024

From my kayak 6/20-27

We have been out in our kayaks several times this week. Saturday we started out in a heavy mist, paddling out of Wilder.

On Tuesday we headed to Grafton pond. There were plenty of dragonflies and damsel flies. The goose family was near the boat launch. We only saw three loons: a single adult in the middle of the lake and a pair near the boat launch as we were taking out. We also found a turtle and some laurel and sundew.

This morning we headed back to the Connecticut and Mink Brook. We saw at least 5 families of ducks, mostly around Kilowatt park.

Mallard family. Connecticut River 6/27/24

June 13, 2024June 23, 2024

Back in the kayak 5/23-6/12

After a long winter and a short spring photographing the dogs at Kilowatt, Jane and I put our kayaks in the water. We have been to our usual spots (the Connecticut River out of Wilder, and the Pompy) as well as trips to Upper Baker Pond and MacDaniel’s Marsh. Unfortunately, the North Hartland Lake is still closed from the flooding last July.

The ducks and geese have little ones.

Canada goose family. McDaniels Marsh, 5/23/24

Canada geese families. Ompompanousuc River 6/1/24

The heron is coming! Mallard family. Connecticut River 6/11/24

People are coming! Wood duck family. Ompompanousuc River 6/5/24

Common merganser family. Ompompanousuc River 6/12/24

We have seen other birds:

and animals.

and flowers.

October 6, 2022October 12, 2022

From my kayak — Fall 2022

We’ve been out several time a week this fall, mostly on the Connecticut and the Pompy (we miss North Hartland Lake which is closed to repair the culvert under the parking lot), but we also have been to Lake Armington, Upper Baker Pond, Grafton Pond, Long Pond and Indian Pond.

Mt Cube from Indian Pond, Orford, NH. 10/6/22

Jane’s family paddling on Upper Baker Pond, 8/28/33

We have seen our usual ducks and have enjoyed seeing them changing into breeding colors.

Wood duck in breeding colors. Connecticut River 10/5/22

Common mergansers. Ompompanoosuc River 9/16/22

Merganser taking a bath. Ompompanoosuc River 10/4/22

We have also seen a number of other birds.

Green heron in the fog. Connecticut River 9/17/22

Immature bald eagle. Ompompanoosuc River 9/25/22

Broad winged hawk. Ompompanoosuc River 9/15/22

As well as a variety of turtles.

Wood turtle. Ompompanoosuc River 9/16/22

And flowers.

Closed gentian. Connecticut River 9/7/22

Jerusalem artichoke. Ompompanoosuc River 9/16/22

October 26, 2021

From my kayak Fall 2021

This fall we have spent as much time as we could in our kayaks, weather permitting. We’ve seen a few ducks of various type. It seems like there are far fewer ducks and geese than in past years.

Common merganser. Ompompanoosuc River 9/27/21

Common merganser lift off. Ompompanoosuc River 9/27/21

Some other birds,

Great blue heron flying. Mink Brook 10/7/21

Spotted sandpiper, winter plumage. Indian Pond 10/13/21

and a turtle or two.

Painted turtle. Connecticut River 10/6/21

The foliage has been spotty, a few brilliant trees, but in the Upper Valley, mostly dull.

Colors on Great Island. Squam Lake 10/9/21

The birds are flying south, and our kayaks have been put away for the winter.

August 24, 2021

From my kayak 8/10-24

We’ve been out several times in the last couple of weeks. After my old camera went for an unfortunate swim, I’ve been getting used to my new Z50. We have seen the usual suspects: eagles, great blue herons, green herons, loons, cormorants, sandpipers, turtles and dragonflies.