It seems like either this dragonfly had a death wish, or it was taunting this turtle. It kept landing on it shell and head.
Taunting your Predator
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.
Taunting your Predator
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.
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?
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.
The Stand-Off – The Turtle and the Cormorant
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!
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.
Rollins Pond Loon
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.
Rollins Pond Loon – tagged B4
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!
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.
Bear on the Adirondack Rail Trail – The cyclist ahead of him had no idea the bear came on the trail right after him.
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!
I read somewhere this lake was private, but I found a state operated fishing access boat launch. This means you can kayak here.
Star Lake
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.
Star Lake
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.
Star Lake
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.
Wildlife
Star Lake- Heron
This heron flew into a tree branch on the shady side of an island.
Star Lake – Loon
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.
Star Lake – Cormorant
There were two cormorants in a tree. This one had better light on it.
Star Lake
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.
Star Lake
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.
Star Lake
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.
I believe in order to control where osprey build nests in different spots in New York they are building platforms on top of telephone / power poles etc, to attract their nest building to that location. I usually see these as active osprey nests once they are built.
If You Build it, They Will Come: Osprey. – It even has a pole to perch on.
This osprey nest had two osprey on it when I first saw it , but one flew away to an area with possibly a creek or river nearby. I assume this is an adult. I do not think I saw any young. I am guessing they fledged already.
It was a nice find. My GPS actually led me the wrong way to get to the nearby location I was stopping at. I’m actually glad it did. It had me backtrack and go a different way when I continued ahead after it readjusted. A mistake by the GPS worked out to be a good thing. Take advantage of these moments. Have a great week!
I do not know how people get owls in great light. I never see barred owls especially, out in the open. They are usually hiding in a bush, within the dark part of the woods, or within branches.
Barred Owl Basking in a Sliver of Light – One eye openBarred Owl Basking in a Sliver of Light – Eyes closed
Luckily I found this barred owl basking in a sliver of light. These are not recent shots. Enjoy your week!
I believe this was during my first day in London. I was walking in a posh neighbourhood admiring the architecture when this man who was waiting in a car and talking to another man stopped me. He asked me what I was taking pictures of and where I posted them. Then he asked me to take his picture.
People of London – Dean
Was Dean a driver, security, a tradesmen working on a nearby house, or did he live in the neighbourhood?
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 