Out and About: Summer Sightings and Scenes

It always seems that summer goes by way too quickly. I try to be outside as much as possible working in and enjoying my garden, hiking and paddling locally and in the Adirondacks. This season I sought out quieter spots on weekdays to hike and did a camping trip to one of my favorite campgrounds, Putnam Pond. I'm hoping to camp one more time before there are frost warnings! It's going down to forty-two tonight so I better hurry. Here's a look at some sightings and scenes from July to early September.

The House Wren Nest Construction Inside the Nest Box

Monet - esque Dragonfly

Mama? Are you there? Juvenile Tufted Titmouse

Mourning Doves: We have to stop meeting like this.

THIEF!!!

Toad on Board! I paddled across the lake, down the outlet, past the preserve and then this toad came out between my feet. I paddled it back to the preserve and put it on dry land. I will now always check my boat. It could have been a snake!

Coated

Blue-headed Vireo Nest at Putnam Pond on our Campsite.

MUNCH. Monarch Caterpillar

INCOMING

View West from Potash Mountain Lake Luzerne

Paradox Lake

Loon Family on Paradox Lake

Last Pitch up Hurricane Mountain

Hurricane Mountain Summit with 35 foot Tower

High Peaks from Hurricane

Archer Vly Lake Desolation State Forest. You can kayak, hike and camp here. Trail partly around vly but you can bushwhack and follow a faint herd path  to go all the way around.

Heart Pond by Putnam Pond Campground

Cairn on Western Ridge Trail at Moreau Lake State Park. It marks the first overlook (seasonal) going north to south.

Bald Peak from Mount Gilligan near New Russia

Dix Range from Mount Gilligan

Top of Joel's Trail at Blueberry Hill Trail System Elizabethtown. Hiking and Mountain biking. View is over to Hurricane Mountain.

Clouds on Rocky Peak Ridge seen from Joel's Trail

Out and About: Walks, Woods, and Wanderings

I have gotten out and about a lot in the last six weeks, around the village, out on the lake, in my garden, and to local preserves and trails. Wildflowers, baby birds, butterflies, pond and peak views are what has kept me sane in this pandemic time. Here's what I've been seeing in Round Lake and beyond.

House Wren feeding babies insects

Still Hungry. Both parents constantly search for insects throughout the day to feed the babies. I was tired for them!

Wrennie Striking a Pose

Eastern Bluebird Mama and her Babies

Baby Bluebird Looks for a Playmate on the Monkey Bars

Juvenile Female Cardinal

Juvenile Male Downy Woodpecker

Baby American Robin. If you care, leave it there says NYDEC. Mama was closely watching and flying in to feed her baby.

Green Heron on Outlet of Round Lake

Bald Eagle by Little Round Lake

Lovely Lupines at Woods Hollow and Wilton Preserves. Also in Aaron's and Pat and Rich's gardens

Gaywings at Woods Hollow

Lady Slipper at Several Local Preserves

Pitcher Plants at Lake Bonita

Highbush Blueberry at Lake Ann

Sheep Laurel at Lake Ann and Lake Bonita

Pond Peek at Woods Hollow

Pond Peek at Lake Ann

Lunch on the Hudson

Spier Falls Dam fron Western Ridge Trail Moreau Lake State Park

Mill Park Falls Lake Luzerne

I would love this in my garden!

Karner Blue Butterfly at Wilton Wildlife Preserve

Milkweed is Not Just for Monarchs

Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly on Common Milkweed

Apart but Together on Western Ridge Trail

My Personal Pandemic Prescription: Get Out

I am very fortunate to live in an area with so many parks, preserves, and hiking trails. Hiking has always been my favorite activity. During this pandemic period I have relied on getting out even more to relax, enjoy nature, social distance visit with friends, and escape for a bit. Here are some photos from the trails. Enjoy Nature!

TIMBER!!!  Judy seems so relaxed!

Horse Head at Stonewall Trail

View down the Hudson River from Stoewall Trail Warren County

Dragon in Skidmore North Woods

Pried Apart

Waterfall at Berry Pond Preserve Lake George

Apart but Together on old jeep road Berry Pond

Berry Pond

Hold up that tree, Dan!

Busy Beavers at Berry Pond

Rainy Day at Moreau Lake

Eeyore's House. I never knew he had a lake view!

Red Trillium at Shenantaha Creek Park

Male Baltimore Oriole in my apple tree

Female Bluebird in my garden

Male Bluebird

Mountaintop Boggy Area Moreau

I Can See Clearly Now. Moreau Lake Overlook

Pond Peek at Moreau Lake

White Trillium in Skidmore North Woods