The Tide Comes In

In a rare occurrence for late fall / early winter the several inches of rain we received pushed the Concord River high enough to start to spill over its banks into the impoundments. That added a totally different flavor to Cherrie Corey's walk.

Thankfully, Patricia MacQueen had been there Saturday and had Cherrie alert her mailing list to bring our "Wellies". Unfortunately, for those weren't on her mailing list, it was a very short distance before they needed to decide if they were going to proceed cold and wet or remain warm and dry back at the car.






Right near the water control gate on the Cross Dike trail, on the right hand side of the trail we encountered the Sora. This may be the latest one has been seen at Great Meadows. A small crowds appearance didn't seem to bother it.








The water was probably only six-eight inches deep at the deepest point. Most of the trail was "dry". However you do have to be careful where you step. There were several places where muskrats tunnels into the dike had collapsed. The water will have to recede a bit before they can get out to mark them with cones.



The wildlife was limited. Except for the Sora, it was the usual suspects. The rain and flooding combined with cold temperatures resulted in ice forming in low lying areas. In some areas the ice was a grayish frosty type coating floating on the water, while in a few places it was clearer with more interesting formations.


Reminded me of a topographic map


Oak Leaves under Frosty Glass


After circumnavigating the lower impoundment we arrived back at the tower to enjoy the colors of the setting sun and the return of geese and ducks to the safety of the impoundments


Geese Returning Home


Tree Silhouettes Against Setting Sun


End of the Day

A Good Day To Stay In Bed

Tuesday morning I wanted to go on Alan's last scheduled bird walk of the year, so it was an early start on the day. On the way out the door, I grabbed my camera, flipped the latch to insert a memory card...and the latch came off in my hand! Not a great way to start they day. But not a disaster, so I grabbed my backup camera and continued on my way.

It was grey and not raining when I arrived at the refuge. In fact, I thought I was going to be late, but arrived just at 8 o'clock to find Alan by himself at the top of the tower. Maybe everyone was scared off by rain in the forecast. However, a few minutes later 3 more people arrived.

It was somewhat quiet at the refuge. Canada Geese and Coots were abundant. Several Buffleheads were on the far side of the Upper Impoundment. They were small even in the scopes. Near the opening on the Cross Dike Trail, the Ruddy Duck was hanging out on a tuft of lotus leaves and other vegetation. Of course the light was all wrong, so I am substituting this photo from yesterday that didn't make the editorial cut. It shows the same duck, on the same tuft, playing "King of the Hill" with a coot.



As we walked we encountered sparrows, chickadees, goldfinches, bluebirds, woodpeckers and a belted kingfisher. Unfortunately, they weren't very cooperative. They generally were hiding within the branches or back sides of vegetation. Occasionally, one would pop into the open and cooperate for a brief moment.





Unfortunately the clouds got denser, the sky darker and rain loomed on the horizon. (Why do weather forecasters rarely get the forecasts for rain wrong?) My backup camera, doesn't perform as well in darker conditions, so photographs became fewer and fewer.

Finally, the rain came and chased us all back towards our cars. It let up after a while it let up. Alan & I wandered over to the Timber Trail where we constructed a bog bridge, using wood reclaimed from old repair projects. It now spans the only section of trail that never dried all year long. There is now a path to allow people to pass without destroying the trail, or their shoes. Of course, where's my camera? Back in the car. Just one of those days.

Back at the parking lot, I wandered for a few minutes hoping for some photo make the day. Along the trail to the dike, I heard a cardinal calling. I tried for ten minutes to find a view that wasn't blocked by branches. With such a bright red body, I guess you learn not to let your guard down, even if it is only for a photograph.



As stealthy as the cardinal tries to be, it is really difficult to hide, when there are so few leaves on the trees.

I guess it was a fitting end, to an otherwise unremarkable day of photography. (Of course, becoming a better birder, it wasn't so bad.)

The day wasn't a total failure. The Great Meadows calendars have arrived and I've started to distribute them. They look really good. There are still some left. Click on the Great Meadows 2012 Calendar link for details.

Foggy Morning

Monday morning had a fog alert with limited visibility. Since bad weather makes good photos, I was at Great Meadows to capture a few, before the sun rose and burnt off the fog.










Wandering around the lower impoundment, I tried to catch the beavers out and about. They weren't available. But there was a flock of Goldfinches that lead me to the lodge.






I like the shape of these trees, but without the fog they have always faded into the background.




Arriving out the outflow of the lower impoundment the fog was starting to lift, but pockets still persisted.


Click on the panorama to see a larger version


You can't beat the combination of blue water / sky and cat tail reeds turned golden by the rising sun




After Canada Geese and Coots, Sparrows must the the next most numerous type of bird currently at Great Meadows. While previously Song and Swamp Sparrows reigned supreme, now there are plenty of Tree Sparrows, which have migrated south from the tundra for the winter. We offer a song sparrow, followed by some photos from a couple of tree sparrows that were cooperative to give a 360 view.




Now for some tree sparrows to compare and contrast. I wonder where they get their name from. At Great Meadows they were rarely found in the trees. They were more common in the cat tail reeds.














Many use the white wing bars or the bi-colored bill to identify them. For me the easiest identifier is the dark spot on the chest.