Posts Tagged: new hampshire wildlife

Catching Up with the Loons

On May 12, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

There’s news from the Middletons. The Westons didn’t show any signs of getting on with chicks when I visited. They’re usually about a week behind the Middletons, so that’s not surprising. While I’ve been out every morning and couple afternoons, I fell behind on editing. Finally catching up, here’s a very long post.

A note on photography since we’ve started nesting season. Please respect the loons and give them their space if you photograph them. For these photos, I was working with a 600mm or 800mm lens on a crop body. That’s something like a 24X or 26X scope. To get all of a loon in the frame, I’ve got to be something like 110 feet from the loon and further back to get some of the surroundings. That’s far enough back that the loons pretty much ignore me. And, a good distance for you to maintain..

Winter wasn’t quite ready to go away when I visited the Middletons last Saturday. It was a pleasant 34° when I launched. I found the loons in the cove where they used to nest.

After a quick preen, one of them gave a morning stretch. In years past, I’ve seen them mating on one of lawns along this cove. Soon, the loons were skirting the shoreline, cooing to each other.

Sure enough, soon mom crawled out of the water. Before they could finish the business, dad turned around and headed back out towards the pond. Mom sat on the shore for a couple minutes before she too headed back towards the pond at full steam.

An intruding loon had arrived on the pond. The home team went out to tell him the pond was already taken. They circled each other, sizing each other up.

They progressed to making aggressive dives and circling each other under water. When I gave my slideshow a while ago, someone asked how you can tell if a dive is aggressive. My best answer is the same way you can tell your wife’s mood by the way she closes a door. When loons are foraging, they usually slip gracefully under. When they’re challenging each other, they’ll make a splash.

When they’re circling and sizing each other up, they’ll often display just how large and powerful a loon they really are. By now, I’d lost all sense of who was the home team.

Of course, the other loons all think they’re the biggest and baddest loon and are willing to display to prove it.

The confrontation escalated to one of the males yodeling at another loon. Only males yodel, this was probably the home team male telling an intruding male to leave. After a time, the intruder took the hint and departed. For now.

After the intruder left, the Middletons were able to spend a peaceful morning. They cruised around their pond.

And they practiced just looking fine. I think they’ll pulled it off very well.

No morning is complete without preening and stretching.

And they retreated back to the cove for a nap.

When I returned on Sunday, it was a balmy 39° when I launched. I could almost feel my fingers as I shot. I suspect the loons mated before I arrived. They seem to mate just around dawn for several days. They were coming out of the cove that they’ve been using when I arrived about dawn. I followed them over to the cove where they’ve nested the last four years.

After a quick scout around the cove, they took time to preen and stretch.

Here’s one of our loons placing some vegetation around the nest.

One loon is inspecting the work on the nest while the other one checks the basement for some good vegetation to add.

The loons tucked in for a nap and I went exploring. I soon found a male pileated woodpecker working on a birch tree.

Pileated woodpeckers are my nemesis bird, photo opportunities are rare. This was one of my better chances. Here, he’s scored a nice beetle.

Tuesday morning found me with some work to do before heading out. Up at 0330 and with it only 30° on the pond, I once again found myself questioning some of my life choices. This time, I was early enough.

The loons got busy making little loons shortly after I arrived.

After the deed, mom approached my boat and give an in my face stretch.

They made a quick inspection of the nest and decided it was in good shape.

Warblers are back. The marsh is busy with common yellowthroats and along the shore were dozens of yellow-rumped warblers and this palm warbler.

Wednesday I went to check on the Westons. Conditions for photography were ideal, every photographer dreams of paddling on a 28° foggy morning.

The loons cooperated in looking great, the images were worth freezing for.

The loons spent the morning foraging and cruising the pond.

The full cast of characters seems to be back in the marsh. There were several sandpipers around, including this spotted sandpiper foraging along the marsh’s edge.

Tree swallows have been back for 10 days or two weeks. Now they’re getting serious about finding mates, calling and fliting about with each other.

Last year, there was a swamp sparrow who always posed nicely at eye level in a a spot with nice morning light. There’s a sparrow there now, I always hope it is the same bird.

And, he treated me to a morning long concert.

This yellow warbler was trying to tell the ladies he’s single and looking.

And the red-winged blackbirds were out looking for the ladies. The female red-winged blackbirds arrived en mass last weekend. The marsh is suddenly full of them.

We should be getting goslings soon. This goose nests right next to the boat launch every year and objects when anyone comes or goes.

Friday morning found the Middletons once again facing off with an intruder.

The intruder was on the pond when I arrived at dawn. The loons were circling each other.

Low-level challenges continued throughout the morning. When I was out of sight, there was a great deal of splashing – probably wing rowing and yodeling before the intruder retreated from the pond.

One of our loons stretching after the intruder leaves. With the excitement over, I went looking to see who else was out and about.

Least, but not last, a handful of least flycatchers were calling in the marsh. This on made a very brief appearance low enough to photograph.

Geese continued their skirmishing. Once one goose invades another’s territory, the whole pond ends up involved. When one of the geese in the original incursion retreats, it inevitably lands in yet another goose’s territory. Which starts a new fight….

I lost track of which goose was which, there were about a dozen geese along this stretch of pond. All squabbling.

Painted turtles are basking. I counted 62 of them around the pond this morning. Snapping turtles are out and about, I spotted several large adults on the surface.

These turtles were hauled out not far from the loon’s nest. It seemed like this loon went over to check them out.

One of the osprey from the pond’s nest has been patrolling over the marsh where the eagle was hanging out last week. One of the pair that was involved in last week’s skirmish with the eagle. The osprey has made at least two low, slow flights over the marsh each morning I’ve been on the pond. This time, he was challenged by a red-winged blackbird.

Before departing, I deployed the Loon Preservation Committee’s nesting sanctuary sign near the loon’s nest.

bird lovers, bird watching, birds, common loons, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Thursday with the Bluebirds

On May 11, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

Another day of mom and dad foraging for the chicks. It was warm today, reached something like 75°. The box is in full sun until late in the morning. That’s probably why the chicks are fidgeting.

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

Wednesday with the Bluebirds

On May 10, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

Another day with mom and dad busy tending the chicks. It was warm enough that they were shifting around in the nest.

Some of you may have seen ‘Feedercam’ – my attempt to put a camera in my feeder to watch who comes and goes. It has been placed on the back burner for a time, Pesky Squirrel is more dedicated to chewing through the USB cable than I am at replacing them. If I can think of a solution, I’ll try again.

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

Tuesday with the Bluebirds

On May 9, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

I’m amazed at how fast the chicks grow! Another busy day for mom and dad, delivering groceries. I cut some brush along the road this afternoon. Dad watched from the power lines above me and I apparently turned up several tasty morsels – he was quick to swoop down and claim them.

I haven’t forgotten the loons. The Middletons have mated and selected their nest site. They’ve even moved some vegetation around near the nest. I’ve been over every morning since Saturday, just way behind on editing the photos. A post with details on the Middletons and their pond mates coming soon.

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

Monday with the Bluebirds

On May 8, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

The chicks look like they’ve doubled in size. Both parents keep busy providing food. With the warmer weather, I’ve been on the deck more. Mom has always more or less ignored us on the deck. She’ll come in, land on the perch I planed about 20′ from the box, make a quick check then head directly into the box.

Dad does a Mission Impossible thing on his way in. He’ll land on the perch or the deck roof. After a look around, he’s likely to dive into the azalea bushes in front of the deck, then onto the deck railing or roof, then onto the nesting box roof before ducking in. We’ve never been able to catch such a crafty fellow.

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

Sunday with the Bluebirds

On May 8, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

Mom and dad bluebird have both been busy hauling groceries in to the chicks. The chicks have learned to open wide when they think they hear a parent approaching.

There’s a smudge on the camera lens, maybe a bug, maybe debris. Unfortunately, it is dead center on the nest. We’ll have to live with it, I can’t get at it to clean it until the birds depart.

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

Saturday – Four Bluebird Chicks

On May 7, 2023 - Bluebird Cam, Wildlife Photography

We’ve got four bluebird chicks. As of late Saturday evening, the fifth egg has yet to hatch. Here’s a good clip showing mom coming and going. Both parents are busy hauling groceries in.

There’s a smudge on the camera lens, maybe a bug, maybe debris. Unfortunately, it is dead center on the nest. We’ll have to live with it, I can’t get at it to clean it until the birds depart.

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

Visiting the Westons

On April 28, 2023 - Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

I’ve been back to the Weston’s (the loons to my west) pond three times since failing to break through the ice on the 17th, and finally managed to get photos of them. Along with some of their pond mates.

Before we get to the photos, is there anyone interested in a trip to see the puffins on Machias Seal Island? A friend and I made reservations out of Grand Manan Island for the trips on July 28 & 29. She can’t make it, I’m hoping to find a new sidekick to come along. I can get away a few days before if we want to explore anywhere along the way, but I have to head back promptly after the trip. Send me an email if you’re interested.

I ventured out to the Weston’s pond on the 20th and again the 21st. Both afternoons had a brisk breeze. The loons were out on the main body of the pond and the waves ruined any chance for good pix of them. I spent some time poking around the marshy coves.

Hank heron was checking out the buffet along the pond’s edge.

I could hear an American bittern calling ‘chu-peep.’ It took almost two hours over two evenings to finally find him in the brush.

A pair of upstanding common mergansers along the marsh. There are also lots of wood ducks and a few hoodies around, but they’ve been too skittish for photos.

The male red-winged blackbirds are working on sorting out territories. They were more animated this morning, but I still haven’t seen a female.

I was out early this morning, finding thick fog and a brisk 30° when I launched.

The loons were just starting out on their day.

There was a couple dozen geese around. Several already sitting on nests, the rest spending much of the morning honking.

As I was exploring the marsh, a gander made a ruckus. Had he been quiet, I’d have missed his mate on the nest. I had to back out and try somewhere else to avoid disturbing her.

Even though we had a quorum of geese, they kept arriving.

Landing gear down, one makes a smooth landing.

This red-winged blackbird has claimed his territory and was lackadaisically calling.

After another male landed in his territory and was escorted out, the blackbird upped his game. You can see his breath in the cold morning air.

Our loons spent most of the morning foraging, making long deep dives. After a time, they took time to preen.

After preening, the both had a good stretch.

My hummingbird feeder is out. We often get one or two the first couple days in May. I suspect they’re making a brief stop before continuing north. We should have our residents back by the end of the week. The weather forecast looks miserable for next week, but I’ll be out again as soon as I can.

birding, birds, canada goose, geese, goose, new hampshire wildlife, red-winged blackbird, rwbb, vermont wildlife

Loons Have Returned to the North Country

On April 18, 2023 - Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

Loons have returned to our local ponds. The Westons – the loons on the pond to my west – were spotted a week ago on Monday, April 10. The Middletons – the loons on the pond between the eastern and western ponds I’ve been following – showed up Thursday, April 13.

In other news, our bluebirds have been around the yard regularly. Their camera is supposed to send me a notification when they’re in the box. It hasn’t been sending notifications and has been on my list to fix for a time. Yesterday I went to show off the live feed and found Mrs. Bluebird in the box.

Mrs. Bluebird has been busy, I tuned in just in time to catch up on the news.

I was surprised how far along in their plans the bluebirds were when mom left the box.

A friend on the north end of the Westons’ pond messaged to tell me the loons were back. The water was open on their end of the pond. I hit the pond the next afternoon, only to find that there was still ice between the boat launch and the loons. Being too stubborn to take the hint, I tried breaking through with the kayak. Most of the ice was just slushy water, but the last 40 or 50 feet had ice too thick to break through. I had to give up. I returned Sunday and the ice was gone. There were two loons on the pond. It was a windy afternoon, and there weren’t any photos to be made.

On Friday, I tried the Middletons’ pond. Two loons were foraging together for a time before preening and settling in for a nap.

The turtles were lining the pond to welcome the loons back. Or maybe just to bask. Hard to tell with turtles. There were a couple hundred painted turtles, basking on most every long or hummock in the sun.

Insects of some sort were hatching and the trout were near the surface – or jumping above it – most of the afternoon. The loons were foraging quickly, with short shallow dives. They took the occasional break to stretch.

After preening, this loon give a nice stretch.

I hope to follow the loons on the same three ponds that I have been watching again this season. You can keep up with their adventures by subscribing. And, if you know someone who enjoys wildlife, please share the blog with them.

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

Spring Has Arrived in the Upper Valley

On April 12, 2023 - Wildlife Photography

Spring has arrived in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. That doesn’t mean we’re done with winter, just that you can’t expect seasons in Vermont to progress in a logical order. With water thawing, I stirred from my hibernation and ventured out around the area to see who was out and about. Signs that spring has arrive that I found included a kingfisher, a great blue heron and – definitive proof – a painted turtle basking.

We planted some azaleas back in 2014. They were promptly claimed by a song sparrow for his summer palace. A song sparrow has returned to claim them every year. (We hope it is the same one, enjoying a long life) On schedule, he appeared on April 4. He’s been busy telling the world that he’s claimed the side yard from the deck to the neighbor’s driveway, including rights to visit the feeders to the south.

This red-tailed hawk was watching over a field in Newbury, hoping for a meal.

Across the river in the Bedell Bridge State Park, this red squirrel was busy licking sap off a tree. Sap is high in sugar and provides a quick energy drink.

Here’s a clear view of her licking the sap.

Sunday afternoon, I launched the kayak in the Waits River. An eagle sat in a tree watching a pair of hooded mergansers for a time. He eventually took off and made a half-hearted dive at them before heading off down the Connecticut.

The geese were out in force. Several of them spent much of the afternoon objecting. To what they were objecting was clear only to the geese.

This goose really put some work into honking.

One pair hasn’t wasted any time, they’re already sitting on their nest.

Shortly after the adult eagle departed, an immature eagle flew in and sat watching the marsh. Several flights of ducks arrived, but didn’t stay long. I suspect they spotted the eagle. Or me. For all they knew, I may have been in cahoots with the eagle. A pair of American wigeon flew in and stayed just a couple of minutes.

Our male red-winged blackbirds have been back for about two weeks. I haven’t seen any females yet. But, this handsome guy wanted to be first in line when they do arrive. There aren’t many reeds in the marsh yet, but he’s claimed a leftover from last year to announce he’s claimed his territory.

And, positive proof that spring has arrived, a chorus of peepers serenaded this painted turtle while he basked.

birding, birds, new hampshire wildlife, signs of spring, vermont wildlife

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