wildlife

Kingfisher Stuck in Fishing Line

Kingfishers in New York , known as belted kingfishers, are less colourful than the kingfishers in England (common kingfishers). They are interesting to watch. They are very skittish though and do not let you come to0 close usually. I was kayaking on a windy day and was surprised when this one let me drift closer than usual. It was not until I got home and looked at the images on my computer that I may have seen why.

This kingfisher seemingly has a fishing line attached to it. It did fly from tree to tree overhanging the water and I did see it drop into the water. However, I hope if it needs help, it will allow someone to get close enough to bring it to help.

According to NOAA Fisheries: “Entangled animals may drown or starve because they are restricted by fishing gear, or they may suffer physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into their flesh.”

Kingfisher Stuck in Fishing Line – This is on a different tree that is down over the water

The lake I went on is popular with fishermen on shore and on fishing kayaks. Although this bird was on an unpopulated side of the lake, those on kayaks could fish in that area.

It was not possible for me to get there before dark today, but I have put the word out. Incidentally, I also have a picture of a turtle with fishing line stuck to it as well from the same outing. Hopefully if this bird needs help it will allow someone to get close enough to grab. The hazards of life for wildlife that depend on water seem to be many.

Barn Owl

I have always wanted to see a barn owl. We do have them in New York, but the Ebird reporting site protects the location of where they are sighted as they do exist, but are rare in the state. Going to a castle in England was my best shot at seeing one of these owls.

Some castles have many different activities to bring in money. They may have tours, host large concerts, put on Medieval or other historical shows, have high end lodging, etc. However, my favourite event to see are the falconry shows.

This falconry show at Warwick Castle does not disappoint. They had four falconers flying the birds. They had owls, falcons, hawks and eagles. Unfortunately it was raining that day. I did remove the raindrops from these photos. However, it messed with my autofocus and most of the flight shots did not pan out. I think the size of the owl came into play as well.

If I ever return to England, I hope to spend a few days visiting this castle. They have many shows and multiple falconry shows a day. I would also like to see a barn owl in the wild some day. Have a great rest of your week.

Great Blue Heron Flipping Fish

This great blue heron showed no fear. It hung out near a boat launch. I kayaked out a short ways and it actually walked towards me. It was fun to watch.

Great Blue Heron Flipping Fish – Swallowing it down

As usual these are taken with a zoom lens. I am thinking this is a juvenile. It seems it is not as knowledgeable as it should be in the ways of the world. As much I enjoyed it walking towards me and these are not cropped a lot, I just hope it becomes more knowledgeable about safety in the future. Have a great week!

Taunting your Predator

It seems like either this dragonfly had a death wish, or it was taunting this turtle. It kept landing on it shell and head.

Maybe the dragonfly thinks it is a rock. Is so, the dragonfly has a short memory because it kept going back to land on the turtle.

Turtles have been seen catching and eating dragonflies, so I’m sure the turtle could have considered the dragonfly as food.

Taunting your Predator – Landed on its head

Whatever the story is, I do not think it is wise for the dragonfly to tempt to turtle, but he may not know better. Have a great weekend, and get out an enjoy nature.

Out of Place Turtle

I found this turtle on a walking trail in the woods maybe 1/4- 1/2 mile from water. It appeared to be out of place. I have never seen one on a hiking trail before that was not close to water.

It looks like both a stick and worm are sticking out of its mouth, so it was obviously finding food along the way.

I thought maybe someone caught it and carried it into the woods. Hopefully, it found its way back to water. What kind of turtle is this?

The Stand-Off

Before I took this picture, the cormorant kicked off this floating platform some other turtles who just wanted to enjoy the sun. The lone turtle to remain was not having it. He kept standing his ground. The turtle was trying to engage him in a stare down, but the cormorant never looked him in the eye.

When I left the turtle was still standing his ground. Maybe my presence gave him some bravado. I believe this may be a juvenile cormorant. I caught it on this pond near the Hudson River on three separate nights. Given that great blue herons and green herons stop here to fish and numbers of turtles call this home, there must be food to be had. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Rollins Pond Loon

The following photo is of the loon tagged B4 on Rollins Pond in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. I think this year was the first year I have been on this pond, but decided to return to it a few times for a few reasons.

The number one reason I went back to this pond on this trip was loons were there. Secondly, although this pond does allow motor boats, I did not see any the trips I was there, only kayaks. Thirdly, it does connect to other nearby bodies of water, some of which I have been on in the years past as well as on this trip. Some of these include Floodwood Pond, Fish Creek Ponds, Square Pond, Little Square Pond, Copperas Pond, Follensby Clear Pond, etc. Through Fish Creek Pond you can paddle into Upper Saranac Lake. Incidentally, this pond has what looks like a very nice DEC state run campground with a lot of spots that have water access, perfect if you want to kayak. This may make another reason to return in the future.

I did notify the Adirondack Loon Center with pictures of this loon with its tag that it was alive and well and was sighted in Rollins Pond. If you see a tagged loon in New York notify the Adirondack Loon Center. If you see a loon in winter further south, do the same. They like to track where these loons are year to year and since some loons visit other ponds daily, they like to know that as well. Happy Sunday!

Bear on the Adirondack Rail Trail

I was hoping to see some birds or other creatures from a rail trail in the Adirondack Mountains (Adirondack Rail Trail) that cuts through a wetlands type area before it turns into woods. Did not see many birds or dragonflies. However, on my return heading towards the parking area I saw this bear politely sauntering across the trail after a bicyclist passed by.

Down the trail in the photo appears to be Fowler’s Crossing trailhead and parking. It crosses route 86 between Ray Brook and Saranac Lake. My understanding is the trail goes between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. From Saranac Lake it goes to Lake Clear, then Floodwood and on to Tupper Lake. Not all sections or the trail are open yet. I only walked a few miles and back. Check the websites related to the Adirondack Rail Trail to find out which sections are currently accessible.

This was taken on the fly with a regular lens. I did not have my zoom lens on the camera. Rats! Sometimes I think animals are more polite than some people. Have a great Friday! Get out and enjoy the outdoors!

Green Heron Catching Prey

I could not tell what this Greenie was trying to catch. Is it a feather, or some kind of bug? Is it something from a tree?

I think it was hoping for a dragonfly. Do you know what the object of his attention is?

Star Lake

I read somewhere this lake was private, but I found a state operated fishing access boat launch. This means you can kayak here.

This launch has a parking lot across from a gas station store off of route 3 in Star Lake, NY. There are a few parking spaces. I seemed to be the only one that was launching a boat. Others stopped to park there to eat lunch it appeared. It had at least one picnic table at the parking area. I did not see a privy/ outhouse on site.

Above is the road down to the launch. I walked my kayak down with the use of kayak wheels.The road was very affected by erosion and had ruts near the top. I am not sure if this area was affected by the storm that delivered 10 inches an hour or so north.

The lake had many houses along certain parts of it, some having boat houses. These are not as elaborate as the ones in the areas of Lake Placid and Saranac Lakes.

This heron flew into a tree branch on the shady side of an island.

There were multiple adult loons here sticking together when I was there. I think I saw 4. They were getting along and diving down in spurts. This was taken with a zoom lens at quite a distance and heavily cropped. The quality is not as good as the photos I get of the loons who swim up to my kayak.

There were two cormorants in a tree. This one had better light on it.

These signs are in the shape of the Adirondack Park. They had a few of these no wake signs up on the lake. All boats were slow moving that day. I was more concerned with the wind.

I did not take too many photos of the lake itself. The wind again concerned me. In addition there were many houses along parts of it and people in the water or on shore. I try not to take pictures including people when I can.

This is the boat launch from the lake. It was easy to get in and out of the lake here, the ruts due to erosion made it a little difficult to move your kayak down to the water. I rate it a nice lake to a canoe or kayak on a day trip.

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