I’ve managed to get out a couple of times this spring, finding mixed success. Let’s see who’s out and about.
It is that time of year again where I ask for help finding critters. I’m always looking for mammals bigger than squirrels. I’m still looking for a fox den and would love to find coyote or bobcat dens. If you get a bear showing up daily when they get fully up and around, I’d love to know. Owls and a woodpecker nest are on my list too. If you’ve any of them showing up regularly where I can come and go without disturbing them or you, I’d love to know.
I’ll be giving my slideshow An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon at the Rockingham, Vermont, Library Saturday May 2, at 11 am. Free and everyone welcome. And I have prints of some of my favorite loon photos hanging in the Library now. Stop in and have a look.
Regular readers will know that I’ve been trying to get a good shot of the long-eared owls down on the coast. There have been three of them wintering there for the last several years. They hang out in what can’t be more than half an acre of trees. I’ve made several trips down to try to catch them where they can be seen. To make things worse, every photographer east of the Mississippi seems to have a nice shot of all three posing nicely together in the clear – and they all stop by to show you their shot on their phone….. I tried again in March.
Success again eludes me… One owl was visible through a tiny gap in the trees. The queue of photographers were actually polite about sharing the one spot where you could see the owl. I waited for him to open his eyes…. no luck.When he did open his eyes, he leaned forward – right behind that &%$@#$& branch….
There’s always next year….One of the projects I’d like to try is to follow a family of swans through the season. Yes, yes, I know they’re invasive. And aggressive. But they’re here. We either have to live with them or hunt them all down.
I went searching for a likely couple. I ventured down to the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge. They’ve hosted families the last few years. There were two swans to be found – and apparently not a couple. The first swan I found was looking for handouts and wouldn’t back up far enough to get a photo of all of him?The other swan spent the afternoon swimming slowly around his pond, doing swan things. Fannie Stebbins may not be where I find the family, I’ve got some other spots to check out.
There was a good-sized flock of ring-necked ducks relaxing on the pond. The male wood ducks were out paddling their stuff to impress the ladies. And there were several hooded mergansers, mostly swimming in pairs – but too far apart to get both in a shot.
On the way home, I found two loons on the Connecticut River, a hopeful sign. My next outing was to check on our local peregrine falcons. They spent most of their time away from the nest on my first visit.
The next time I had a chance to visit, there was a falcon sitting on the nest. And one supervising.
This gives a good idea of where falcons like to nest. Can I name this guy Cliff?
The bolts in the rocks are rock bolts drilled into the cliff to keep rocks from falling.
My next outing was to visit a great blue heron rookery. It is on the small side for a great blue heron rookery – only seven nests. The good news is they’re relatively low for heron nests, we should be able to see the chicks from the ground when the time comes.
The nests are all in dead trees over a small pond.
Most of the herons spent their morning standing in the trees near the nests.
Sometimes they seemed to be chatting with the neighbors.
The heron on the right has just returned to the nest. The herons did some head bobbing and weaving in a quick courtship display.
One bird found time to make some nest improvements.
While the mate sat nearby pretending to be busy.
I’ve been checking on the Middleton’s pond – usually the first to ice out in the spring. Last Saturday afternoon there was a loon snoozing on the pond. I went home and got the boat ready to go.
Dawn on Sunday found me on the pond. But no loon. It was probably on a scouting mission to see if his pond was open and he’d just stopped off to rest a bit. Other pond residents were out and about.
The morning started off foggy, but pleasantly warm for an April paddle – 28° when I launched. A wood duck posed as I headed down the pond.
I did find several ring-necked ducks promenading on the pond.
There was a pair of eagles that sat watching the pond. I suspect they were thinking that duck would make a good breakfast.
A loon showed up again on the Middleton’s pond on Wednesday. I made it out this morning. I soon found a lone loon on the pond. I think I saw a flash of color from his bands, but never got a really clear look at his legs. My guess is Mr. Middleton is back. Hank the great blue heron was working the reeds for breakfast.
Before retreating to a tree.
There seem to be fewer Canada geese on the pond this year. But the ones that were around were happy to make noise and fly around.
The red-winged black birds seem fewer also. There were several males and the first female I’ve seen this year out foraging. And as the fog lifted, painted turtles started appearing on every handy log along the shore.
This log is almost at capacity.
Back on the home front, Charles, our resident whistle pig has reported for pillaging duty.
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Beautiful shots! I especially like peregrines. I help the Raptor Resource Project keep track of egg laying/hatching dates and love following them on the cams or when I get to go to a banding.+
Cliff it is, great names as usual! Today it’s snowing again, typical northern New England spring. It is awesome to watch these same birds nesting during Florida winters, and then find them here at home as well! This winter there were Ring-neck ducks and Hooded mergansers, among others, on our lake daily, and we are always watching for Osprey nests!
Beautiful shots! I especially like peregrines. I help the Raptor Resource Project keep track of egg laying/hatching dates and love following them on the cams or when I get to go to a banding.+
Thanks! Banding a peregrine must be an interesting adventure.
Love the natural photos, and the commentary. Thank you for respecting the critters and not getting too close.
Thanks!
Cliff it is, great names as usual! Today it’s snowing again, typical northern New England spring. It is awesome to watch these same birds nesting during Florida winters, and then find them here at home as well! This winter there were Ring-neck ducks and Hooded mergansers, among others, on our lake daily, and we are always watching for Osprey nests!
Such great pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
I’m not sure what I love the most, the pictures or the commentary, you’re a master of both! Thank you for brightening this overcast, snowy! day.
Thank you – great shots!
Why do my comments keep getting deleted???
Comments don’t show up until I approve them.
So glad you have been able to get out to capture these wonderful shots. Thank you!