We’re Expecting!

On May 23, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The weather kept me from visiting the loons for several days. I was out to see the Middletons last Thursday, May 18. I didn’t get back until last evening. And I had a chance to visit the Westons this morning. Let’s see how they’re doing.

I’ll be at the Paradise City Art Show in Northampton, MA this coming weekend. Stop by and say hello. I’ll have lots of prints, from small to large, and note cards with lots of critters. All the show details here.

Last Thursday was another chilly morning, with a little bit of fog on the water.

I hit the water well before dawn, ready to make some nice images. The loons slept in.

Eventually, the loons woke and continued their exploration of alternate nesting sites. The looked at three sites, with both loons climbing out of the water and sitting a couple minutes on the site. The literature says the male picks the site, but these two were discussing it at length. Maybe the male picks the site like I’m picking the colors for repainting our kitchen?

The spotted sandpipers were out foraging along the water’s edge and on downed trees.

This eastern phoebe stopped by to feed off of the many black flies that I’d attracted.

Eventually our loons headed back to last year’s nesting site. One crawled out and sat and fidgeted long enough that I hoped we had an egg. No such luck.

All this thinking must have been exhausting, they tucked in for a nap.

And a few Canada geese returned from their errands. This one looks little surprised to see the water coming up at him so fast.

I returned yesterday evening, much to the delight of the black flies.

When I arrived, there was a loon on last year’s nesting site, with the other one floating nearby, hooting softly.

The loon on the water wandered off to feed and preen.

I went exploring the marsh. This gander was giving me a look. I suspect he was plotting my demise….

The red-winged black birds were very active, with females hauling nesting material and everyone feeding on bugs.

The loon not on nest duty returned to the nest four time through the evening. They didn’t exchange nest duty, but they had a conversation with lots of soft hooting.

This morning I headed off to check in on the Westons. It became a beautiful morning after a chilly 38° start, with lots of nice fog on the water. The last few years, the Westons have been about a week behind the Middletons in mating and nesting. They must have a new calendar this year.

One of the Westons was out slowly cruising in the fog when I arrived.

Our geese were commuting to and fro on the pond. I could hear them long before I could see them through the fog.

A pair of wood duck drakes were looking sharp, even in the fog.

The loon not on nest duty took time to preen in the cove where the nest is.

A pair of geese ventured too close to the nest. The preening loon dove. The geese saw him coming and decided they would prefer to be somewhere else right about now.

Geese vanquished, preening was completed and we got a nice stretch.

I hadn’t spotted the nest yet. While I was watching the loon not on duty stretch, a second loon surfaced close by and gave a stretch.

And finishing up with another nice stretch.

One of the loons returned to the nest. Again, I’m shooting with a 600mm lens and cropping the image. Please give nesting loons lots of room.

This handsome fellow was out celebrating World Turtle Day today. As good a reason to go wild as any!

It will be next week before I get a chance to get back to check on them. I’ll let you know what I find. Enjoy the holiday weekend and please remember the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives to protect us

birds, birdwatching, common loons, loons, nature, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife, wildlife

We Say ‘Good Bye’ to The Bluebirds

On May 22, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

All four chicks fledged within a few minutes of each other this morning. Unfortunately, the network dropped not long before they did and we didn’t get any video. This video is within the hour of them fledging. I’ve got a new camera and router to install if I can get to it before they try a second brood.

I was able to get out to visit the Middletons this evening. There was a loon sitting on last year’s nesting site. An update post shortly.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Sunday with the Bluebirds

On May 21, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

Our chicks are showing interest in the world outside the box, they’re taking turns peering out of the opening. They’re also testing their wings regularly. Won’t be long now….

We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed inside to let us watch without disturbing them. The camera switches to black & white in low light. And, the exposure control stinks, that’s why it washes out or goes black as a bird comes or goes. We occasionally get some pixelated frames in the video, I think that is a WiFi issue. A new WiFi repeated is on the way.

bird video, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Saturday with the Bluebirds

On May 20, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

Today was the first day we could have expected them to fledge. All four are still with us after dinner this evening. But, it won’t be long now. Our yard has several bobolinks fluttering and calling.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Friday with the Bluebirds

On May 19, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

We’re coming to the first day when the chicks may fledge. They’re big, their feathers are growing in. They’re testing their wings. Previous clutches have shown more interest in looking out the box opening a couple days before they fledged, so I bet we’ll have these guys a few more days.

It was very windy here on the hill this afternoon, that’s the roaring background sound.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Thursday with the Bluebirds

On May 18, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

We’re enjoying a beautiful spring afternoon here on the hill. Mom and dad bluebird are off on errands, they’re returning to the nest with food now and then. They’re much less active in the afternoon than the evening. Are the parents off foraging for themselves? Are the insects that much less active during the day? Our chicks are glad to be fed whenever the meal arrives.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Wednesday with the Bluebirds

On May 17, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

Not only are the chicks getting big, they’re getting loud. They’re on the front of the house, my office is in the back. I can hear them calling when they think there’s a chance for snacks.

bird video, birding, birds, bluebird, bluebird nest, bluebird video, bluebirdcam, eastern bluebird, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

More Time with the Loons

On May 17, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Last weekend, I was able to spend both mornings on the Middleton’s Pond. They’ve got a new neighbor, it looks like they may be having second thoughts about the nest location and they, once again, told an intruder to go away.

I’ll be down at the Paradise City Show in Northampton, MA, over Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll have lots of wildlife prints, including lots of loons, as well as note cards. Stop by to say hello. All the show details here.

Saturday morning found a great egret foraging not far from where the loons nested last year and may again this year. The loons were off in another cove on the pond.

Our loons were busy making little loons again.

Once again, an intruding loon arrived on the pond. The home team left their cove to challenge him. The home team male yodeled a couple times to explain the situation to the intruder.

This time, the intruder quickly took the hint and departed. The home team went off to look at real estate.

Several sandpipers have arrived on the pond and spend time foraging along the water’s edge or from downed trees.

Painted turtles took advantage of the morning sunlight.

The great egret moved over to a stretch of reeds along the pond.

Shaking water off after an unsuccessful strike.

The next try was successful, the egret came up with a bluegill.

Whenever I watch an egret walking through the reeds, I think they look like someone stalking off to speak to the manager.

There were two osprey around the pond. While one would circle the pond, the other would perch and call. It sounded like a challenge. I wonder if a third osprey was visiting the pond and the home team osprey were objecting.

Sunday morning, the loons had a long discussion near last year’s nesting site, the same site they worked on last week.

The literature says male loons select the nesting site. From what I’ve seen, it appears to be a joint decision. They’ll both explore the options and exchange soft hoots and wails. If they see a promising spot, one or both loons may haul out and sit on the spot for a few minutes. They also seem to explore the underwater escape routes from any potential site.

After checking out three sites near last year’s site, they moved over to the reeds and explored options there. This is where they nested in 2017 when the female was killed by a Canada goose with a nearby nest. If we still have the same male, I wonder if that will play into the decision if they’re looking in the reeds.

The loons seemed unconcerned about the egret’s presence. I suspect that will change when the chicks arrive. A young chick would be an easy meal for an egret.

And, I can’t resist a nice wing stretch for a pic.

I’m anxiously watching the weather, itching to get back to see if they’ve decided on a nesting site.

birding, birds, common loon, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife, wildlife photography

Tuesday with the Bluebirds

On May 16, 2023 - Bluebird Cam

They’re still growing fast! And, their feathers are coming in. They’re moving towards the box entrance now when a parent is bringing food. And, it looks like one is getting curious about what is going on outside. They’ll be with us at least a few more days. The earliest we can expect them to fledge is Friday, but it is likely they’ll be with us until Sunday or Monday.