Red-winged Blackbird in full serenade

While I was sitting quietly at one of the magic spots in the northern, boggy area of Caesar Pond, in front of a beaver lodge, a Red-winged Blackbird decided to serenade me while perched atop a dead and decaying larch stem. He spread his wings which pulsated with each note he sang. Lovely and special... (Click on the photo for a more detailed view.)

Loon Survey Week 1.

Loons at the north end of Caesar Pond. See the turtle in the background?

I think the loons arrived at Caesar Pond yesterday. They are noisy at night, probably to keep predators at bay. There is one pair of loons at the moment. I just learned that a loon pair that nested successfully one year, may reuse the same nest site the next year, if that male is nesting on the same water area. Males may arrive at Caesar Pond a few weeks before females arrive.

I would motor in the direction of the loons and then sit quietly. They were busy feeding and didn't pay attention to me. I had my Canon with its 70-200mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter on it. I also had the Nikon P1000 bridge camera in case I had to take some shots across the pond. I am so pleased with this photo. (Click on it for a larger and more detailed view.)

Here the loon is starting a dive.

I wish that I had taken our little ApeMan camera (a cheaper GoPro type of underwater camera) with me because the loons swam underwater right next to the boat. I might have been able to get some cool shots. I'll have to remember to use it next time. By the way, I pulled my motor up out of the water so the loons wouldn't bump into it or the blade.

Then, they would surface nearby. This is one of the best loon shots I have ever taken. What a great morning communing with the loons. I am hoping to get some action shots the next time I go boating. (Click on it for a larger and more detailed view.) 

What made this pond prowl more special is that it is the first time that I have been in my boat in two years (2 knee surgeries later.)

For information Loon behavior and breeding, I often refer to the Loon Preservation Committee out of New Hampshire.

Planting Season Rules via leaf out and flowering of trees and perennials

 I found these great rules/observations for planting season:

1. Wait for apple trees to bloom before planting bush beans.

2. When the apple blossoms fall, plant pole beans and cucumbers.

3. By the time the lilacs are in full bloom, it will be safe to plant tender annual flowers and squashes.

4. Transfer tomato seedlings to the garden when the lily-of-the-valley is in full flower.

5. Full sized maple leaves signal time to plant morning glory seeds.

6. Peppers and eggplant can be transplanted when the bearded irises are blooming.

7. When peonies blossom, it is safe to plant heat-loving melons, such as cantaloupe.

My Loon Survey on Caesar Pond is about to begin

Hooray! I will be going out in my Pond Prowler to start my first yearly survey of loons on Caesar Pond. I am so excited! Citizen Science is so important in helping scientists keep track of all facets of nature. This is the information that I will be collecting about loons, through the season, for Lee Attix (Loon Conservation Associates.)

Common Garter Snakes have come out of their winter hideaways!

I do love snakes. And, garter snakes are one of my favorite species in Maine. 

They have lots of places to hibernate in over the winter such as rock crevices, holes, rotten wood, and even house foundations. This one is soaking up warmth from the rock that has been baking in the sunshine.

Did you know that their diet consists of 80% earthworms? Cool!

Signs of Spring - Coltsfoot flowers

Some of the early signs of spring are the appearance of the first roadside flowers in our neck of the woods. Coltsfoot flowers grow in waste areas and alongside roads and railroad tracks.

They have a single flowerhead atop a stem that has reddish scales in early spring. There are no leaves present at first. They will appear after the flowerhead is very mature.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is in the composite family of flowers. At first glance you might think you are seeing dandelions! But, that stem is what clues you in that this is a different flower. This particular flower has yet to open fully.

Dwelley, Marilyn J. Spring Wildflowers of New England. Down East Books, 2000.

Mosquitoes have arrived way early!

 Say it isn't so! Mosquitoes have arrived. We should be approaching Blackfly season before mosquitoes, but not this year!

Bird Songs Interactive

 This is sooo cool! Go to this Minnesota Bird Songs website, follow the directions, and turn up your volume! By the way, we have all these birds in Maine.

It looks like this:

Bee Season will soon begin

 Bee prepared for Bee Season! Know your bees!

Your Mind Is A Garden

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