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.
It has been an interesting few weeks since my last post. My sons visited from Portland, OR. My husband had a heart attack (he is doing well). Instead of a week at Squam Lake we had planned, I was there for just 2 days. But I have been able to paddle my kayak and see some wildlife.
North Hartland Lake closed for the season on Labor Day. We went out on that Saturday and caught our last peeks at the eagles, cormorants and of course turtles.
Cormorant on the boom at North Hartland Lake. 9/5/20
Immature eagle and its parents. North Hartland Lake, VT 9/5/20Painted turtle. North Hartland Lake, VT 9/5/20
The ducks are molting into their breeding colors.
Wood ducks. Mink Brook, Hanover, NH 9/13/2020
We found herons on all 3 of the rivers we paddle.
Green heron. Mink Brook, Hanover, NH 9/13/2020Green heron. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/10/20Great blue heron. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/10/20
and small birds and large.
Phoebe with web. Mink Brook, Hanover, NH 9/13/2020Broad winged hawk. Ompompanoosuc River, 9/8/20
We saw a muskrat for the first time this year on the Pompy.
Muskrat. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/10/20
and a young deer running across the playing field at Kilowatt Park.
Deer. Kilowatt Park, Wilder, VT 9/14/20
The most unusual animal we saw was a Northern phalarope as it was passing through. It nests in the Arctic and winters to the south.
Northern phalarope. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/10/20Northern phalarope. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 9/10/20
We saw some unusual wildlife (for us) recently. At North Hartland Lake we came upon a bear swimming across the lake.
Black bear crossing the river.
North Hartland Lake, 8/15/2020
The next time we were there, we saw a couple of coyotes.
Coyote. North Hartland Lake. 8/22/2020Coyote digging. North Hartland Lake. 8/22/2020
They looked and acted so much like my dog Freya, it was uncanny.
Freya.
We have been watching green herons, both on the Connecticut and the Pompy.
Green heron. Connecticut River, Wilder, VT 8/24
Green heron yawning. Connecticut River 8/17/2020
We also saw some of the more usual wildlife: cormorants, ducks, geese, a merlin and of course, painted turtles.
Cormorants. North Hartland Lake, 9/15/2020
Wood duck.
Connecticut River, Hanover, NH 8/17/2020
Mallard beginning to get breeding colors. Connecticut River, Hanover, NH 8/13/2020Mallards preening. Connecticut River, Wilder, VT 8/23/2020“Sentry” Canada goose.
Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 8/20/2020Merlin. North Hartland Lake, 8/22/2020Painted turtles on a log.
North Hartland Lake, 8/15/2020
We visited our usual haunts this week: the Connecticut River out of Wilder, the Ompompanoosuc River and the North Hartland Lake. The wildlife did not disappoint.
The kingbirds on the Connecticut are sitting on their nests again.
Kingbird with nest.
Lebanon, NH 7/5/20
The young mallards are nearly full grown and seem to enjoy snails for lunch.
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