After a long stretch of windy, rainy days, I was able to get the boat out yesterday to see who’s about on the ponds. I headed up to visit the Westons Tuesday and the Middletons today.
I’ve been playing with a GoPro waterproof video camera and caught this cute scene:
The Westons’ pond has a lot of marsh with very clear, shallow water. The turtles have awakened for the season. First there were lots of painted turtles around. I found several huddles and a few parades – a couple to several turtles following each other underwater. My guess is the leader is a cute lady turtle. The snapping turtles seem to take longer to wake in the spring. Perhaps it just takes longer for the longer turtles to warm? One of my goals for the camera is to get some footage of the snappers underwater.
The Weston’s pond was downright balmy when I arrived, 43° with a light breeze. Any wind ruffles the water, you’ll notice lots of my shots take advantage of the flat water for the reflections. And, working with a long lens in a kayak, even a gentle breeze makes it difficult to manage.
Paddling down the sunny side of the pond, I heard lots of warblers. They were all feeding high in the trees, well away from photographers. Eastern kingbirds are back along with Baltimore orioles. Both were occupied where I could see but not photograph them. The loons seemed to be exploring real estate for their nest. I amused myself taking photos of the red-winged blackbirds. The males return earlier than the females to scout a territory. The females are back in force now and the males are busy trying to get their attention.
When a pretty female flew through the marsh, several males would perch in the clear and sing and display.
When waiting for a lady to visit, they practiced looking good.
Or snacking. This bird dug deep into a cattail.
And came up with what looks like a spider.
Then off to the next perch to be ready for the ladies again.
A lone wood duck drake paddled past.
A closer look found that the Westons have chosen their nest site and there was a loon already sitting on it. The last few years, the Westons have been the first to nest by a week or 10 days. Looks like they’re ahead again.
Shift change came for nesting duty and the loons took to the main part of their pond to breakfast together. An intruding loon arrived on the pond and I snuck a look at the nest – with a 600mm lens staying well back. They’ve got an egg!
In a short while, the intruder was sent packing and the loons returned to their cove and one climbed onto the nest. The sun was well up and the wind picked up, I retreated to head home.
This morning, I headed out to visit the Middletons. The forecasted clouds weren’t to be found, the pond was dead still and it was warm enough to feel my fingers as I headed out before dawn.
As I paddled out from the boat launch, an intruding loon arrived on the pond. The Middletons went to evict him(?).
When there’s a territory dispute on the pond, it is hard to tell the players. They’re all wearing the same colors and lots of the action is underwater. I quickly lose track of who is who. Here’s someone trying to impress the others that he or she is too big and tough to be messed with. While this was going on, a fourth loon arrived on the pond.
The first stage of a territory dispute is circling and sizing each other up. I’m convinced that the position of their heads is communicating something – probably just as well for the blog that I can’t translate it.
Here’s what I think is Mr. Middleton winding up to yodel at the intruders. Only males yodel and it is a sign of aggression and that the dispute is escalating.
After a lot of circling and some aggressive dives someone went wing rowing down the pond away from the group. (Someone asked at one of my talks how you can tell if a dive is aggressive. The best answer is the same way you can tell your wife’s mood by the way she closes a door.)
Shortly afterwards, the wing-rowing loon departed the pond. The remaining challenger moved off away from the Middletons who went to breakfast at the other end of the pond.
Peace wasn’t to last too long. 30 or 40 minutes later, a loon landed on the pond. Maybe the same one that had retreated, but no way to tell. Here’s one of the Middletons with a full head of steam – look at the wake he’s? pushing as he heads out to meet the intruder. There was a brief bit of circling and a few dives before I lost track of all three loons. The Middletons appeared far from the action after a time. The intruder must have flown off without my seeing.
Now the Middletons had another chance for breakfast and headed to the cove where they like to find it.
There was still one intruder on the pond – one of the ones that arrived around dawn. After the Middletons foraged a bit, they returned to the main pond. The intruder was sticking close to the shore, well away from them. They didn’t seem concerned with the intruder, who eventually left without a kerfuffle.
With the Middletons settling in for a nap, I went to see who else out out. This spotted sandpiper flew in for a cameo, landing briefly on this log.
With the sun out and rapidly warming temps, the painted turtles were climbing out on every rock and log they could find to bask.
This guy kept a close eye on my as I went by, but seemed to comfortable to give up his spot.
And just when I thought I had my ducks in a row….. four mallard drakes were swimming along the edge of the reeds. By the time the camera came up, one had other ideas.
It was getting to be time to head out, so I took the boat back to the launch. As I was putting the kayak straps on the car, I looked up and saw a veery sitting on a branch just about over the other side of the car. He? was unbothered by me, and flew down to forage on the ground next to the car while I packed up.
He even posed nicely in the sunlight for me – a treat since they usually stay under cover in the woods.
I’m watching the weather for tomorrow morning. One app says rain, the other says no….
Wonderful photography and sensitivity and perspective of subject and natural setting.. Some of the best photography I have seen.. I hope you publish a book.
So much of Vt photography now seems to be the type of superimposed exaggerated lighting and abusive colorations
Of natural landscapes that does not need such ghastly enhancement..Your work by contrast is so refreshing!
Thanks. Photoshop has changed photography, probably not for the better. Old snobs like me lots of photographers who want to substitute Photoshop skills for learning how to make good images.
I, too, hope you publish a book, Ian! I am seconding all of the above, plus the loon drama of courageous defense is as gripping as ever. and Turtle bonus, thanks so much!
I love your information and commentary. Now that I’m retired, I’d like to get into birding more and it’s lovely to see your pictures
Thanks!
Wonderful photographs
Thanks!
This was another great read. Thank you!
Thanks!
Wonderful photography and sensitivity and perspective of subject and natural setting.. Some of the best photography I have seen.. I hope you publish a book.
So much of Vt photography now seems to be the type of superimposed exaggerated lighting and abusive colorations
Of natural landscapes that does not need such ghastly enhancement..Your work by contrast is so refreshing!
Thanks. Photoshop has changed photography, probably not for the better. Old snobs like me lots of photographers who want to substitute Photoshop skills for learning how to make good images.
I, too, hope you publish a book, Ian! I am seconding all of the above, plus the loon drama of courageous defense is as gripping as ever. and Turtle bonus, thanks so much!
Thanks. Working on it 🙂