August 28, 2012

Although the Osprey captured the headlines last weekend and is still at the lake, there is a lot of other activity taking place around Lake Wicwas as the days get shorter, the weather cooler, and the animals become a bit more active.   The cooler nights and warm water are creating misty mornings already.

After seeing very little fox activity this summer - almost no scat on the trails - I captured this Gray Fox one night last week as he prowled for dinner around the mini-cooper.

Gray Fox

I  identified a new butterfly this week - an American Painted Lady.  What I found fascinating about this butterfly is how completely different the two sides of its wings are.   The dorsal side of the wings are orange with black and white spots,

American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)

while the ventral side has some pink coloring and two large eye spots.

If I didn't follow it and see the two poses, I wouldn't have know it was the same insect.


Then there was a pretty little lady bug playing hide and seek with me on Linda's flowers.

On a morning kayak I found three ducks in a marsh  - either mallards or black ducks, I believe.

On the same trip I also found two herons scouting for fish close together;  usually I see only one at a time in a given area.  The bird sitting in the middle of a white pine has quite a set of feathers on its neck!

Back to the larger animals, I came upon a small herd of deer on Saturday.  There were at least four adults - they heard me and one started snorting as I froze still.  They all moved off in different directions and soon I was surrounded by them, as I watched them moving through the trees.  But the fawn that was with them was not so careful.  It also played pee-a-boo with me

before it slowly walked off to join the elders.

Always curious - perhaps even more so when they are young. Although it is good size, it still has its spots.

Finally, an update on our loon chick - it continues to grow quickly, but is still well behind last year's chick due to the second nesting and subsequent late hatching

Here is this year's chick, compared to last year's chick as it looked on about the same date last year.  Quite a difference.

August 25, 2012

August 21, 2011

But as long as this beautiful weather keeps up, it will have enough time to be ready for flight by ice-in.
 

October 16, 2011

Lake Wicwas is in the heart of the autumn season. The foliage is peaking, and the weather is fall-like, with highs around 60 degrees, intermittent showers, and brisk, gusty winds stripping the leaves from the trees - a stark contrast to last week. Some of the early-turning trees, especially those with their roots at the shore of the lake, have already lost many of their leaves, but most are still quite vibrant. The colors are so intense along the western shore of the lake that they appear artificial – but these photos are un-touched by anything other than the rays of the early morning sun just sneaking over the hills east of the lake.

Looking West Across Lake Wicwas

North of Lake Wicwas

With the leaves starting to drop, forest floor is collecting its new carpet of soft pine needles punctuated with bright maple leaves.  It makes for wonderfully soft and quiet walking.   

 

We took a hike up to Crockets Ledge and the White Mountain Ledge on the Hamlin-Eames-Smyth conservation area, and were treated to a sunny moment where the trees seemed to light up for us.

Crockett's Ledge

The colors from the White Mountain Ledge are not nearly as colorful; it’s interesting how in this direction there are mostly white pines, while on the western shore of the lake they are mostly deciduous.  Perhaps it’s due to logging, or just the different exposure and soil conditions.  But there were a couple of bright red maples in the mix.

White Mountain Ledge

We found many fungi still growing well, including this group growing right out from under the bark of a tree.

And some of them are huge!

 

Back closer to the lake I came upon a deer who moved quickly off into the forest, but I soon found this fresh scat that likely belonged to it or one of its colleagues.

Late in the afternoon a small rainbow appeared over the Chemung Forest during one of the quick showers.

 

There are still plenty of migratory ducks around - the hunters didn’t get them all (and I heard no discharges this weekend).  A flock of nine mallards stopped by in the mid-afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we took a walk up to Meredith Center to see the work on the new playground and park.  There was a lot of progress this week, and there was a crew working, even on a Sunday.  It’s going to be a really nice addition to the area.  Thanks are due to the very generous donations of the people who made it possible.

Meredith Center

There was also a baby shower taking place at the Wicwas Grange.

 

 

On the return walk we found an abundant crop of winterberry, with their bright red berries in clumps right beside Meredith Center road, as well a stand of sumac, turning orange-red.

This week we also enjoyed the apples we received last week, including one of the best apple pies ever!

 

October 9, 2011

The color on the trees is starting to get brighter.  It is probably at its peak intensity right along the shores of Lake Wicwas, but it still has a ways to go pretty much everywhere else.  The turn seems to be later than usual this year, perhaps due to lots of rain in the summer and now warm weather in the fall.  Today the temperature hit 77 degrees, with a strong, warm west wind.  We both got in quick swims, but it was pretty chilly.

Sunrise on Lake Wicwas

Maples along the Shore

Not Much Color Away from the Lake  (North from the "White Mountain Ledge")

Even with warm days, it still cools off very quickly as soon as the sun goes down, and by morning the temperatures have been in the 40s, but that didn't stop these fishermen from starting out early.

There were also duck hunters out this weekend, with their shots being heard right at 30 minutes before sunrise when the regulations allow it.  Lots of loud booms, and with all ducks around, I expect they some success.  It's hard enough getting a picture of them, as they are so easily flushed.  I guess that's why the hunters are out in their boats and in position well before daylight.

The booms didn't seem to bother the deer, as I heard one snorting at me as I went by a field, and certainly this red squirrel was more annoyed at my presence than the sound of a shot gun.

Later in the day when Linda was out working in the yard she had another deer snorting at her.  Perhaps they are males staking out their territory;  guarding their mates.

By the time the sun was in full force, there was a swarm of bees all over the fall blossoms - yellow jackets, honey bees, and of course the bumble bees.  This one had a good harvest of pollen attached to its hind legs.

I also came across several of these unidentified beetles in the warm sun, this one hanging onto our window screen.

We received a generous invitation from some new friends who live on Arbutus Hill to come up to enjoy some fresh-made apple cider, beautiful views, and great conversation.  We also came home with an assortment of fabulous apples grown in their own orchard right here between the shores of Lake Pemigewasset and Lake Wicwas!  (We've already sampled some of each!)  We're looking forward a return visit soon!

Just after sunset, a couple of jet liners came overhead on their routes from Europe, leaving an "X" to mark the spot where Lake Wicwas enjoyed a fantastic fall weekend.  I hope everyone got out one of these past few nights to enjoy the bright, near full moon, illuminating perhaps the last warm weather of 2011!

"X"  Marks the Spot