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 have been to our usual rivers in the last few weeks and have seen some changes. We found a kingbird and its nest on 7/19 and have seen the nestlings grow and leave the nest.
Kingbird and nest.
Connecticut River, Lebanon, NH 7/19/2020
Kingbird with nestlings.
Connecticut River 7/25/2020Kingbird fledglings. Connecticut River, Hanover, NH 8/2/2020
We’ve seen cormorants.
Cormorant on the boom.
North Hartland Lake, VT 8/1/2020Cormorant taking off.
Connecticut River, Lebanon, NH 7/25/2020
The red-winged blackbirds are out of their nests.
Young red-winged blackbird.
North Hartland Lake, VT 8/1/2020Wood duck with 3 mergansers
Connecticut River, Hanover, NH 8/10/2020
The herons are always fun to watch. On the Pompy the other day we came across what looked like a log, but wasn’t. We stopped paddling and drifted about the same speed as the green heron was walking. At first it was a little annoyed with us, but soon relaxed and continued fishing. By this time I had drifted into shore and it walked within just a few feet of me.
Green Heron disguised as a log. Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 8/11/2020Green heron with a snack.
Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 8/11/2020Green heron.
Ompompanoosuc River, Norwich, VT 8/11/2020Green heron.
Mink Brook, Hanover, NH 8/10/2020Great blue heron
North Hartland Lake, VT 8/1/2020Egret taking off.
North Hartland Lake, VT 8/1/2020
We’ve paddled the usual places the past 10 days. Â The mornings are getting colder and more foggy. We’ve seen great blue herons, green herons, cormorants, loons, ducks and other creatures. Â Loons do fly, they just take a long runway to take off.
Jane paddles in the fog. North Hartland Lake, VT 8/25/18Great blue heron Grafton Pond, NH 8/28/18Great blue heron taking off. Connecticut River 8/24/18Green heron. Connecticut River, Wilder, VT 8/27/18Cormorant drying his wings. Connecticut River, Lebanon, NH 8/27/18Loon launching. Grafton Pond, NH 8/28/18Loons flying Grafton Pond, NH 8/28/18Wood duck. Connecticut River 8/20/18Mallards on a log Connecticut River 8/20/18Troll. North Hartland Lake, VT 8/25/18Birch bark reflection. Connecticut River 8/20/18