Thursday, September 6, 2012

Fog, Mist, and Wildlife At The Vermilon River. A Post To SWF.

 I had originally intended to post scenes from three days of hiking, but the mist generated by current weather conditions, hot sultry weather with cool mornings, culminated in this heavy fog, which made for some interesting shots, and at least one story. I hiked the west side of the River as well as the beaver pond of the east track. I have been out early as the fall forest,as is the case of the spring forest has a tenseness to it , because there is unfinished business for the wildlife. Most of the unfinished business is the getting ready for winter whether that means migrating, preparing for hibernation or caching food if you're a semi-hibernator. In addition the young must complete their education and become independent. So normally nocturnal animals can be seen during the day.

My story relates to the beaver shots in this post. I have a favourite area at the east track beaver pond which is a natural rock chair surrounded by blueberry plants. The bears have eaten all the blueberries now, but it's still a comfortable rest area. I use my hat, the usual wide brimmed affair, to rest my camera in while I get settled . Not a good idea in this fog. As I picked it up I saw two black wolf cubs in the pond frolicking ,but my lens had fogged over, and I was too late getting another lens on the camera. I have only seen one other black wolf in my travels up here. Well seeing was great, although the thrill of some photos would have been greater.

Opposite, and the previous photo are of the sun rising ,and trying to burn off the fog in the initial part of the hike.

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE AND SEE THE SLIDESHOW.
Abandoned  East Track.

 Now doesn't this curve in the old track look like it leads to somewhere scary or at least interesting.
Spider Web

Spider Web.

 This is a series of Great Blue Heron shots. They were not all taken the same day or in the same place, although the in flight shots are all of the same heron..
In Flight

In Flight.

Close Up

Close Up 2

 I've been trying to get some shots of the the Belted Kingfishers and finally got these, although they're long range.

 This is my favourite of course.
 The Geese are moulting and training the young to fly in formations.


Wood Duck.

This duck formation needs some work.

Wood Ducks

Wood Duck


Swamp Sparrow Fanning Tail

Sparrow

Sparrow.

White-throated Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrow.

White-throated Sparrow.

The watching Raven.

 I had posted the young raccoons in the previous post and caught this photo of mom the next day. I included some further photos of the young, who I now call Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Huey

Dewey

And the shy Louie.

Beaver

Beaver feeding on his cache.

River Otter.

 Chipmunks are ground squirrels and are true hibernators. Take a look at his cheeks.
New England Asters?

Unknown.

Moulting Geese.


I've seen lots of Cabbage Whites and Sulphurs, but not much else so I was delighted to see this Mourning Cloak.

A post to Sky Watch Friday. Click here to go directly.

53 comments:

  1. congrats on the wolf pup sighting! wow! your GBH photos and raccoons were great, but my favorite was the train track running straight out into the mist! nice!!!

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  2. I love the foggy misty shots. The spiderweb is fantastic. Loved seeing all the birds raccons and chipmunk. All the photographs were wonderful.

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  3. Great post, - interesting photos. Lovely to see!

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  4. What fantastic captures for the day, Gary! I love the foggy days, the beautiful birds, Huey, Dewey and Louie, the beaver and the river otter and who wouldn't love the chipmunk with the fat cheeks! That boy knows how to store his food! The colorful flowers are wonderful! Thanks for the beauty! Have a great weekend!

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  5. Beautiful captures of the fog!! I love that shot of the railroad tracks curving off into the unknown!!!

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  6. you managed to make teh raccoon look cute and adorable.

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  7. Nice shooting. Always an enjoyable visit to your neck of the woods.
    And I think Huey, Dewey and Louise are perfect names for any set of three raccoon babies. They always look like mischief is only a second away.

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  8. a bit late for Mourning Cloak, isn´t it?

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  9. Wonderful capture of that pretty Belted King-Fisher Garry and the spider web pics ar gorgeous.
    Hoping you have a great weekend
    with many photo opportunities

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  10. So much to love this week! Beautiful captures. The Chipmunk and Raccoon are charming!

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  11. Great series, love the train track shots. And the heron and kingfishers are two of my favorite birds. Wonderful post, gary!

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  12. What a joy it is to visually accompany you on your adventures, Gary. Yes, that curved, disappearing rail track does encourage one to explore further. You must have such fun following Huey, Dewey and Louis!... and the squirrel looks so cute with its stuffed cheeks. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Love the romance of your morning mists shots! Adore those cute raccoons and the white-throated sparrow is so cute! Another beautiful series of photos!

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  14. Incredible shots! Love all the raccoon pictures you were able to get in both posts, and the great blue heron...it's all so lovely!

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  15. I have to add--the train tracks in the mist are particularly wonderful!

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  16. Great fog and wildlife photos. I saw a huge hawk being chased by three crows in my local park today but didn't have a camera!

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  17. Beautiful images as always Gary! I love the foggy morning scene. It looks so peaceful.
    The Kingfisher is my favourite too!

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  18. Love the painterly look. Fine spider webs!

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  19. Always plenty to see in your posts. But, Gary the spiderwebs!! I would enter those two in a competition -really!

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  20. Beautiful shots, those webbing look great.

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  21. I love the foggy misty shots.
    The other pictures are also wonderful.
    Greetings Irma

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  22. You found a wolf family? Wow, I bet that was thrilling. I know it would be for me. Thanks for sharing the beautiful surroundings of your 'home'. Those misted spider webs are fantastic and ever so artful. Of course, ALL your photos are never boring, you have great 'story telling' skills along with the know how of taking marvelous photos.

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  23. More awesome shots Gary. What incredable spider web pictures. Beautiful all around!

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  24. Great post with beautiful photos as always.
    Love to see from your part of the world.
    I agree the curve in the old track look like it leads to somewhere scary.
    The raccoons are so cute, we don't have them here.
    The Heron is my favorite, as it is on my list of birds I want to photograph. So far I've not been able to, wonder where they are hiding here.
    Thanks for the tour.
    Wish you a great weekend.
    Mette

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  25. Wonderful photos, I love those spider webs. Greetings.

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  26. Great shots, I especially liked the Great Blue Heron and raccoon pics.

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  27. Spider webs are usually so difficult to photograph … you did a great job with the ones you captured!

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  28. Great captures of all the wildlife! Love the Mourning Clock. They are such cool looking butterflies! Of course, I love the spider web shots too! Chipmunks are so adorable but cause so much damage in my garden. They don't hibernate here and still manage to get really fat!

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  29. I'm sorry you missed the black wolf (wow, what a sighting), but I'd have been happy to get as much wildlife as you did -- (or even the great spider web picture!). I am envious that you got a kingfisher. And the raccoon and beaver are wonderful.

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  30. Huey, Dewey and Louie are ever-so-charming and Kingfisher is adorable. Lovely photos!

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  31. I love the shots of mist, making the sunlight diffused.

    Those baby raccoons are so adorable, and their names are cute, too. I don't think Donald's nephews would mind at all.

    Birds in flight always make stunning photos. Well done!

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  32. So many spiderwebs among the post i have visited this week. I am so envious because I have never come home with a good shot of them yet. I loved the shots of raccoons and the names are so perfect.

    Thanks for taking me along on your explorations. You have been a wonderful tour guide and without bloggers like you I would never get to see the world.

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  33. What an interesting insight on 'getting ready for winter/hibernating'!

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  34. Brilliant captures!!
    Hope you get the black wolf next time around too :)

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  35. Ah - so many fabulous pictures of nature. I'd love to see these creatures close up. And oh my, I love those misty shots! So gorgeous.

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  36. Beautiful photo series showing.
    Like them all - but particularly herons - bear - and the butterfly.
    Thank you for taking me on your trip.
    Hanne Bente

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  37. The little racoons are so cute and the squirrel too ! I admire the art of the cobweb, but I don't like spiders ;) !

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  38. A great post Gary! Awesome clicks and lively narration! Loved it!

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  39. Nice captures. The misty scenery photos are stunning. I enjoyed your photos very much.

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  40. Wonderful post, great scenery and always love those critter shots. Must have been a thrill to see the black wolves.

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  41. Lots of awesome photos! I love the spiderwebs, and the traintracks. Very nice!
    Thanks also for visiting my blog! Hope you come back soon!

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  42. A beautiful collection of photos. The first shot, with the sun rays shining through the mist, is breathtaking!

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  43. That first heron hot has my daughter OMGing and WOWing your photographic achievement. Such elegance. And our chubby friend the beaver made our night, too. Your world is gorgeous. Thanks for the views.

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  44. Oh, the raccoons! Be still my beating heart! What an awesome adventure. :)

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  45. Nice location and fabulous Shots Gary.

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  46. Beautiful location!The raccoons are so cute!The heron is so amazing,such a giant regal bird,great shots!phyllis

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