Seney National Wildlife Refuge June 14, 2015
I woke to a foggy soggy morning...but still...decided I needed to go check on ABJ and his family of common loons. So off to the Refuge...without Michael. I arrived just before 8:00a.m.
It was perfect timing. As I turned on to the Marshland Drive I saw another photographer was already there...with ABJ and his family near the shore of F Pool. I quickly parked and walked out to a point where I was hoping the loons would soon work their way toward.
The bugs were horrendous...the tall grasses and trees dripping with mositure...but the loons were there and that was all that mattered. It could not have better timed...I crouched down and had a very short wait till ABJ himself came right toward me with his two little chicks. Momma was busy fishing. To make it even more perfect...the chicks decided it was time to crawl on daddy's back...well, at least one of them did. PERFECT!!! The fog and low lighting made for harder shooting but the effect was very fitting for these mystical creatures. I thanked them and decided to leave them in peace...going away with a full and happy heart.
As I was shooting the loons....Wilson's snipes were calling and flying overhead. The Refuge and its inhabitants were slowly waking up on this 'soft' morning.
I stopped several times to photogarph snapping turtles that were out early laying eggs in the sand along the drive.
As I arrived at H Pool...and adult sandhill crane was just flying from the shore...toward an island. Well, on that island was its mate and colt! I was so happy to see them this morning. I knew that it would just be a matter of time before they would leave the island and enter the water. So I found my spot along the shore to hunker down and wait.
Before long they adults decided it was time to leave...walking out into the water followed by their month old colt. The adults could walk most of the way across to the next island but the colt definitely had to swim.
I remember the first time I ever saw a sandhill swim...with their little colt...right here on the Refuge about ten years ago. It was quite a sight to see. Sandhill crane adults don't have to swim...they can fly from island to island. But when they have colts...swimming is the only way to cross.
When I figured out the direction they were heading, I made my way back...keeping low and out of sight. I didn't want to panick them or cause them duress. I was able to stay far enough out of sight...but close enough to shoot them as they went from island to island and finally to the mainland.
It was an awesome experience...what a privilege to witness the everyday life and struggles of these unique creatures. After they reached the mainland I decided it was to let them be...and headed on my way...soaking...sopping wet up to my thighs...but happy as a lark.
I also had fun along the way with a kingfisher, Caspian and common terns, Eastern kingbirds, Wilson's snipes, loons calling on E Pool and brown thrashers/. It was truly a great morning on the Refuge. Who needs 'perfect' weather....and weather is great when you can spend it with nature.
The Canada geese have goslings from half grown to teeny tiny...all around the Refuge. G Pool has become the hangout for the non breeding adult trumpeter swans. It is also where we are sure the loons have a nest...because we are seeing just one out between a couple of islands. Time will tell if they are successful or not.
I hear Virginia rails in E marsh across from G Pool. Also spot a lone loon who looks like it might be an intruder...head up and acting very much on alert...while the trumpeters swans with their three cygnets are feeding nearby while an eagle sits in its favorite tree on the west end of E Pool.
The D Pool loon is quietly guarding its nest...the ospreys may have young now...sitting on the edge of the nest instead of in it.
C Pool also has a large gathering of non breeding trumpeter swans...getting a little rowdy with each other...while the C Pool loon is still tending its nest.
I did spot the B Pool trumpeter swans...look to have four or five cygnets. I have to stop and have a 'talk' with a snapping turtle that doesn't want to move out of the drive. It wasn't even laying eggs. It just glared at me...I of course had to take a few photos...with the 600mm end of the lens. One thing you do not want to do is tangle with a snapper. They will latch on and not let go.
I hurried out of the Refuge around 11:00a.m. to go back to get Michael. Then back we came in time to catch ABJ and his family on the curve of the Fishing Loop tending the chicks. I settled down in the brush and waited. I know I gush...but I still believe he knows me and eventually came fairly close to where I was. He just stayed with the chicks while mom went fishing. She would bring back fish and fed the young. Evenutally the sun even came out. It was fun to watch the rivalry between the two chicks. Each wanting its turn on daddy's back...not willing to give an inch while the other tumbled back into the water. Yep...nature does mimick human relationships.
While we were watching the loons a mate to a nesting trumpeter swan ran off an intruder...right over me.
H Pool was busy with Wilson's snipes, Caspian terns, common terns, blue-winged teals...and momma mallard with ducklings. We did hear our Virginia rails but no sighting. They are busy nesting, guarding and feeding their mates right now. Can't wait for chicks.
We spot a Northern harrier floating over G marsh. We are sure they must have a nest in this area, too.
The E Pool west end trumpeter swans were out in the cattails with their three cygnets. I heard a pair of Virginia rails having a converstaion in the same area. We also spotted a pair of sandhill cranes hiding out...probably with a colt or two...time will tell.
The trumepter swan 'singles club' was taking a snooze under the pine trees along the drive while a lone loon patroled between the islands. We are sure there is a nesting loon on one of those islands...just can't see it.
I spot D Pool trumpeter swans on the backside of the pool with their four cygnets.
Yeah we were excited to find the pair of sandhill cranes in C marsh do have two colts. They are getting quite big. The crazy ospreys are still acting like they would like to nest. The female was on the nest in B marsh...calling for her wayward mate....who was fishing on C Pool.
The loon is on the nest and the mate on the far end of C Pool. B Pool trumpeter swans have five cygnets...but too far out for photos.
We were happy to find a pair of sandhill cranes in an open space at the end of the drive...where we always hope a moose will be standing. They were very quiet so probably had at least one colt.
We stopped at the South Show Pool for a snack. I heard a ruckus...a crow was screaming at a bald eagle who was sitting very low on a branch in a big white pine....not their usual hunting technique. Looking to have cygnets for a snack??? I hope not. But thanks to the crow that didn't happen...this time.
We made one finally run through before we had to head home. We won't be back for two long weeks.
Finally...we find an American bittern hunting in the little marsh as we started the Marshland Drive. It posed nicely for me...then I left it to continue its hunting.
There were at least sixty Canada geese hanging out around the old loon nest on F Pool. I guess this is their 'singles club'.
We were excited to find yet another pair of sandhill cranes in F marsh...with a possible colt. It looks like it was a good year for the sandhill young...so far.
Lone loon on J and one of G Pool...sure signs of nesting going on those two pools, too. Once again...time will tell. Then I got to visit with my lone loon on Gray's Marsh Pool before heading out of the Refuge...till next time.