January 19, 2020: Winter's Back

Typical volatile New England weather: The January thaw ended with our coldest temperatures of the season, but we still haven't hit negative numbers per my thermometer.  Heavy, dense snow fell on Wednesday which stuck to the trees and returned us to winter scenery.

Hamlin Conservation Area

That was followed immediately by a cold blast from the northwest which ushered in the cold air as well as a bright, sunny, blue-sky day.

A perfect New England Scene.

Skiing on that bluebird day brought me across another set of otter tracks running far across the lake.

The unmistakable 2-2 track of the weasel family, to which the River Otter belongs.

This otter wasn't heading in my chosen direction, and I was on my way home so I didn't follow them along, but I will comment on the tracks I followed last week along the shoreline.

Some long otter slides on the lake.

When I saw this pair of tracks I surmised it was two otters traveling together rather than one on an out-and-back trip.  Based on the track pattern of slide and hop, as well as how close the two tracks followed each other, I decided that it was in fact a pair travelling together.  I ultimately lost the track when it went up on land, but picked up what appeared to be a single track farther along my trip.

Perhaps looking for a water entrance.

This track led to a couple of holes along the shoreline, and eventually terminated at a hole under the roots of a tree on the shore.

At least it looked to me as though there was only one set of tracks going into the hole.  I imagine the otter taking this secret passage down under the ice, knowing a nearby hole where it can emerge again before it's lung capacity is depleted.

It's always interesting to follow to these fun-loving creatures as they enjoy their winter escapades - and being reminded they're out doing this all summer too, but they rarely leave any evidence for me to see.

Who would have thought this would be the time to be thinking about bees, or rather, hornets.

I saw this hornet nest by accident while following the otter tracks.

There were a lot of hornet nests to be seen this past summer;  it must have been a great year for them, and most of their nests, like that one, are holding up well so far this winter.  But on a ski over to Lake Winnisquam yesterday, I found one that wasn't so lucky.

The innards of a hornet nest.

I can only wonder if this was brought down by the strong northwest winds of Friday, or whether an animal had a hand in its demise....

On a more humorous bee note, I found this sign on the hiking trail on the Mt. Welch-Dickey loop:

I know it's been warm, but really?

That was before Wednesday's snow; there was very little snow on the ground below 2000' elevation, but higher up there was a nice base, though it was rather icy on the trail.

Approaching the summit of Dickey Mountain in Campton.

The dusting of snow that fell on the ice the night before revealed the presence of snowshoe hares among the spruce at 2700 feet above sea level.

More good news:  writing now on Saturday night, it's snowing again.  Maybe we'll get one more good dump to confirm winter has returned.

December 9, 2018: Ice In

After the failed attempt at ice-in on November 22nd, Lake Wicwas froze over again on December 6th, and this time I think it will stick.  On December 3rd there was a significant portion of the lake open.

December 3rd

By the 4th the wind had blow it out even more.

December 4th

But on the 5th the wind let up and by the next day it was frozen over, and though it looked like it was snow-covered it was just the thinnest dusting from an overnight flurry.

December 6th

By the next day those flakes had blown around and the ice was evident.  And out in the middle where it had just frozen, it looks like perfect, smooth black ice.

This could make for some great skating

I did get to skate on December 6th in Marion cove which has been frozen for three weeks and is already 8" thick.

Although the lake is frozen, the edges are still very thin with some open areas including those that the animals - such as beavers - have made to escape one last time before they are locked in for the winter.

A hole in the ice at one of the beaver's favorite trail heads

Here's the evidence they left  to prove they were out after the most recent snow.

I found evidence of a less common animal on a hike to Welch and Dickey mountain in Thornton, up at an elevation of 2700'.  Their track is distinct;  only a member of the Leporidae family makes these track patterns:

Snowshoe hare tracks in fresh snow

These are a rare sight for me though I do see them occasionally in the Meredith Community Forest and the Hamlin Conservation Area.  It's hard to believe they can eke out a living all winter in the barren habitat high in the White Mountains.  They must tough it out just so they can live in such a beautiful place.

The Kinsman, Cannon, and Lafayette Ranges (L to R) from Dickey Mountain

Back at the lake the recent the thaw-freeze cycle has left some interesting ice formations.

No skating on this sinking puddle!

With cold and dry weather in the forecast these will be visible for quite some time.  And, if it stays cold and the snow holds off long enough, there will be some great skating out there now that the lake is frozen.

October 9, 2016

Fall color is building quickly around the Lakes Region but is not quite at peak yet as seen in the hills around Crockett's Ledge west of Lake Wicwas on this foggy morning.

Just a bit farther to the north the colors are peaking just in time for the Columbus' Day weekend visitors.  I took a hike on the Mount Welch-Dickey Loop on Friday and the color were outstanding. 

The Tripyramids from the Mount Welch ledges

So much for the predictions of poor color due to the lack of rainfall.  New Hampshire trees, like the animals and people, are resilient!

Even though many of the trees around the lake are still green, bright yellow and red maples are plentiful - especially along the shore lines - and the geese are standing up to get a good look.

Maple trees along the northeast shore of Lake Wicwas

Along Chemung Road near the boat ramp

And in Marion Cove

On my paddle I saw a small group of geese come soaring over head - probably from Oakland Cemetery - on their approach to a water landing on the lake.

Landing gear down

Final approach

Splashdown!

The migratory birds have started making their way south, stopping in New Hampshire to rest for a day or two.

Male Wood duck

Black ducks, or maybe juvenile mallards?

It can be startling to be awoken half an hour before sunrise by the sound of shotguns taking aim at these handsome creatures, although Canada Geese are in season now, and we certainly can use a culling of the goose population.

On my way back from doing trail work in the Page Pond conservation area I saw this flock of gobblers in someone's yard.

Turkeys near Page Pond

Turkey season starts tomorrow (archery has been in progress since September 15).

Morning is usually the best time to see our wildlife;  if you're willing to rise early, cool misty mornings provide some of the best opportunities to witness the beauty that autumn in New Hampshire has to offer.

Just be sure to wear your own orange colors when walking in the woods!