Happy Birthday Banner, BannerYou came into my home & heart in October but you came into this world on June 17, 2020. You are my little Purr – Machine. You are such an easy going kitty. Funny, fluffy and so easy to please, Love you bunches Banner!
Adopted from Project Pet Safe Rhode Island
Photo by Deb Neumann
Unidentified photo from the web
I’m not going to make this into a political post but the Good Ole USA really took some lumps this past year. Not the least with the uprising on the capital. Happy Birthday America! You made it! So glad you are still the home of the brave and the land of the free!
It looks like we’re going to have another rainy weekend. I keep making tentative plans and Mother Nature keeps putting a damper on them. I bought the Massachusetts State Parks Adventure Book. My plan is to explore my home state on the weekends. First I’m amazed at how many state parks, forest, reservations and monuments there are! More than enough to fill every weekend for many summers. I’ve looked though the book quickly and there are a few that I’ve been to Like Bash-Bish Falls.
Bash Bish Falls 2017
There are 2 trail heads to the falls, one in Massachusetts and one in New York. The trail from the Massachusetts side is pretty steep and rough, or at least it was in 2017. It looked like it was downhill going to the falls. I figured easy to trip and fall going down and a real tough hike going back up. The trail from the New York side is a slight incline most of the way and in 2017 was well groomed and easy walking. That was the way I went. If I were going today I’d do the same thing.
With Covid restrictions being lifted I’ve started getting some travel plans on the books. I’m heading back to the Great Smokey Mountains in September when I visit North Carolina. I wanted to stay on the coast but couldn’t get accommodations when I wanted to travel so I’m “settling” for Sapphire NC, just outside of Ashville. The Biltmore Estates is on the top of my to do list.
It was also a 2nd choice for Colorado. I ended up booking my vacation for July 2022 in Breckenridge, Co. To get into any of my top choices I would have had to go in winter. Not my idea of a good vacation.
Now I’m looking for someplace warm for February. I was hoping for a new state but maybe I’ll end up going back to Florida or just staying home with my kitties for that vacation. We’ll see. There’s still time to find something.
Dolphins Photo by Deb Neumann
It’s springtime in the lakes region of New Hampshire and the haunting warble of the loon’s call has returned too. That means it’s time for me to begin my quest for a decent photo of the common Loon. The Common loon once was plentiful in New Hampshire waters but now sits squarely on the endangered list mostly due to man’s disruption of their habitat and lead poisonings from fishing lures and sinkers.
I know finding the perfect photo is a lot of luck when it comes to wildlife photography. Wild Things don’t present themselves on demand! It took me years to get a decent moose photo and I had to go to Wyoming to get it.
Moose in Maine
Moose in Wyoming Grand Teton
But even with that photo I feel it could be better. But I’m giving moose a break and turning my attention to the Common Loon
So last year I took my first loon photos on Lake George. They weren’t very good.
Lake George Loon 2020
Gray and fuzzy but we all have to start somewhere. I’m going to try my luck at Squam Lake this year. It’s chick season now so I’m heading to New Hampshire.
Little Squam Lake was the filming location for the 1981 movie, On Golden Pond. It’s a beautiful lake. There are actually 2 lakes. Big Squam and Little Squam. Our Loon Cruise would take us into Little Squam where there are nesting platforms for the loons. It’s chick season now and I’d love to catch a glimpse of some of those little guys. When first hatched they can’t regulate their body temperature so they often hitch rides on their parent’s backs.
Loon with chicks- Unattributed from web- (wish it were mine)
But that behavior only lasts for about 2 weeks. Not much time to catch them in action
Little Squam Lake 2021
I drove from my Home in Taunton to Squam Lake , about 2.5 hours one way, for a 90 minute cruise then drove home after the cruise. It was worth it. We had a naturalist on board who specializes in Loons. Her stories and tips really explained the behaviors we got to see.
We spotted 2 adult loons right away near the first nesting platform. You can see one of the adults on the nest here.
At the next stop there were 2 tiny chicks, just hatched. They were too small and too far away for me to get a picture but it was exciting. It was also at this spot that we saw a display of territorial behavior. The 2 adults were trying to send a 3rd loon away. They were splashing and flapping their wings. Right before they all took flight we heard them call. That was amazing. I love to hear the call of the loons.
We stopped by another nesting site but it didn’t seem to be active. Still is wasn’t a total loss. As we pulled away we spotted a bald eagle.
Bald Eagle- Squam Lake 2021
We picked up speed to head back to the dock and right in front of us we spotted a Cormorant. So of course we had to slow down and watch him for a bit. Unfortunately I missed his take off when he decide to leave.
Cormorant – Squam Lake 2021
It had been a full trip with lots to see but we weren’t done yet. As we neared the end of the cruise we spotted a great blue Heron on a rock. It was being harassed by 2 loons who clearly did not want Mr. Blue in their territory.That was a great ending to a fun cruise.
So maybe I didn’t get that “Iconic” Photo but I got some good memories.
3 adult loons taking off – Squam Lake 2021
I may have been MIA the past 2 weeks but that’s not to say things aren’t happening here. Where should I begin? Maybe with the excuses on why I haven’t posted lately.
The Annual HOA MeetingThe first miss was 2 Saturdays ago. I had planned to write something after the HOA meeting. I hate these meetings but go because I think owners need to be aware of what their board is doing. We just had an assessment for new decks but nothing has been done so far and I wanted an update. I never dreamed that before the meeting was over that the police would be called when a 40ish unit owner provoked a fight with our 70 year old property manager. Basically we have two loud mouth bullies that hijacked the meeting. They yelled over everyone else and were disrespectful of our board. Our 1 hour meeting lasted 4 hours! In the end the new owners were intimated into voting most of the old board off the island. I am sick over it. If I could sell my unit and move I would.
2021 Equinox
Well I could have taken time for a post on Sunday but I had an appointment at the car dealership. I guess there is a big demand for used cars so the dealership called me to see if I’d like to upgrade to a 2021 vehicle. I agreed to take a look at what they had available on the lot. My last 2 cars had been a dark gray and a black but I’ve always loved white cars. Sure enough, they had 1 white Equinox left. I couldn’t say no. So after about 4 hours of doing paperwork and a short test drive we moved my personal belongings from my black 2019 Equinox to my new 2021 White Equinox. It always amazes me that I can just drive right off the lot with the new car. Of course I’ll need to go back on a weekday to get my inspection sticker but other than that, I’m good to go.
Basking Shark
Captain John’s Boats are posting lots of Whale pictures. One research boat spotted a Basking Shark! Very rare in Cape waters but the big news was the lobster fisherman who tried to imitate Jonah. Yup Unbelievable. He actually got “eaten” by a humpback whale. The whales feed by opening their mouths and lunging though schools of fish scooping up anything in front of them. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Luckily he was spit back out with only some bumps and bruises. Now he’s telling his story on the late night talk shows.
So you see, in spite of my silence, things are happening here!
Humpback Whale feeding
The three day, aka long Memorial Day Weekend, is here. You, service men and women, gave, not just weekends, but your sometimes your lives, so that we can have the lifestyle we enjoy today. Things would be much different if not for you and your sacrifices. Thank you.
No More Masks! COVID restrictions are in the past! There’s a new level of freedom to Memorial Day after a year plus of lockdown. Time for the Family Bar B Ques and celebrations, except mother nature isn’t cooperating. Looks line rain in the forecast for the whole weekend making the unofficial start of summer a bit of a dud.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is predicting that more than 37 million people will travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, representing a 60% increase over last year.
I’d say travel this weekend is back with a vengeance. Even I had plans to dust off the camera and head out. I was thinking about going into Boston. The Flag Garden is back on the Common this year. It’s made up of 37,000 small flags each one representing a fallen service member dating to the Revolutionary War. I think that must be an awesome sight and I’d like to have some photos of it.
Lake George, NY 2020
I am getting restless. I said I’d wait until next year but I’m not so sure about that now. Time to pull out a suitcase to get the cats used to seeing it.
Colorado is a definite and maybe Branson, Missouri. I think I will do a quick day trip or two to New Hampshire and maybe a long weekend to Lake George. I guess I need to get planning! Travel is back!