forestgnome
New member
Summer, after a dry spell, is my favorite time for this trail because it's much easier to get through the many places made difficult by the beavers. The bogs along the way are an exellent place for birding and general wildlife. I took this trail Sunday after a wonderful hike to Bondcliff the day before, specifically for wildflowers and wildlife, and to take it easy.
Lots of blue flag iris...
The bogs have lots of these, as well as swamp candles, golden alexanders, marsh marigolds and others.
When I got to Rob Brook Road I decided to follow snowmobile trails, which are great in summer for wildflowers and wildlife. I took the first one I saw and I soon kicked up a family of grouse. It was like a slow-motion explosion as about a dozen little cherribs tried their best to fly away in all directions, but each one only flew about 10' before landing again, despite wild flapping of their tiny wings. Mama grouse did the broken wing act, squawking and leading me away. I quickly left so the babies would not seperate from mama any more.
Ten minutes later, I saw a bull moose about 20' into the woods. He hadn't seen me yet so I quietly drew my camera and waited. As he approached the trail I made a few quiet noises so he would know I was there and not be startled. He stopped and snorted and sniffed in my direction for a very long time. I waited and eventually he came out toward the trail and got a look at me as I began taking pictures.
He got used to me and started browsing again. The light and surroundings made for a beautiful nature scene.
I followed him for over an hour when he decided to take a nap...
I spent a very long time getting this close, taking one step every ten minutes, ready to fly if he got up. I kept an eye on my escape route. He eventually got up and started browsing as I said goodby and left for the trail.
Hope my luck with wildlife continiues.
Happy Trails
Lots of blue flag iris...
The bogs have lots of these, as well as swamp candles, golden alexanders, marsh marigolds and others.
When I got to Rob Brook Road I decided to follow snowmobile trails, which are great in summer for wildflowers and wildlife. I took the first one I saw and I soon kicked up a family of grouse. It was like a slow-motion explosion as about a dozen little cherribs tried their best to fly away in all directions, but each one only flew about 10' before landing again, despite wild flapping of their tiny wings. Mama grouse did the broken wing act, squawking and leading me away. I quickly left so the babies would not seperate from mama any more.
Ten minutes later, I saw a bull moose about 20' into the woods. He hadn't seen me yet so I quietly drew my camera and waited. As he approached the trail I made a few quiet noises so he would know I was there and not be startled. He stopped and snorted and sniffed in my direction for a very long time. I waited and eventually he came out toward the trail and got a look at me as I began taking pictures.
He got used to me and started browsing again. The light and surroundings made for a beautiful nature scene.
I followed him for over an hour when he decided to take a nap...
I spent a very long time getting this close, taking one step every ten minutes, ready to fly if he got up. I kept an eye on my escape route. He eventually got up and started browsing as I said goodby and left for the trail.
Hope my luck with wildlife continiues.
Happy Trails
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