A Winter Wander

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, Massachusetts

Boathouse Overlooking the Wildlife Pond
Willow, the Hereford Sheep
Snow-Covered All Persons Viewing Area
Hooded Mergansers on Parade
American Robin in the Sumac Bushes
View from the Crab Apple Tree
A Feast for the Red Squirrel

Long View of the Meadow

Willow Enjoying the Last Rays of the Day

Winsor Dam

The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike impound the waters of the Swift and Ware Rivers, forming the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest water body in Massachusetts. The dam is one of the largest in New England.

A hilly walkway leads up to the dam.
View from one end of the top of the dam to the wide walkways and green spaces below.

Walking across the dam is a popular activity in the park.

Quabbin Reservoir as seen from one end of the dam. It is 18 miles long and up to six miles wide.
The 412 billion gallon reservoir is the largest man-made reservoir in the world devoted solely to drinking water supply.
From 1938-1946 four towns were flooded to create this vast reservoir. It supplies over 40% of Massachusetts with drinking water.

Water can form waves on windy days.

Tree of Life: Birch Through the Ages

On display at the Museum of Russian Icons In Clinton MA.

“As far back as the Stone Age, parts of the birch tree have been used across Northern Europe and Russia. Craftspeople and homemakers learned to use the tree for wallpaper, lumber, medicine, tea, shoes, writing paper, and other creative applications. Birch wood and bark quickly became a common material for more decorative forms of folk art as well. Woodcarving adorned buildings across Russia, and even the homes of peasants were decorated with spectacular birch carvings.”

Birch Box
Birch Figure

Rattle

Siberian artist Vladimir Tulyak created highly detailed and delicately hued icons from layers of birch bark.

The Madonna and Child

Christ the Teacher