Month: February 2022

Before the Storm

Wachusett Meadow, Princeton, Massachusetts

“Willow”, a Longtime Resident of Wachusett Meadow.

Tufted Titmouse

Red Squirrel

Vacation Week School Children

Children’s Backpacks Ready to Go

Spring Fling

American Robins, Moore State Park, Paxton, MA

Although a storm is coming, spring is not far away!

Watershed Walk

Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Tributary Headwaters Zone, Mason Farm, Holden, MA

The expansive fields of the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Zone are open to the public for hiking and bird watching. The extended hill climb leads up to a noted former dairy farm.

Porcupine Picnic Patch

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA

This porcupine rambled through the meadow, to the picnic areas, and by the pond as the turtle looked on.

A Big Sky Farm

Jordan Farm, Rutland, Massachusetts

Horsin’ Around

Lancaster, MA

Jaywalking

Eastern Blue Jay, Princeton, MA

This sociable Eastern Blue Jay enjoyed companionship and snacks on a cold winter day.

A Storytelling of Crows

American Crows, Jordan Farm, Rutland, MA

Crows observed as they swarmed and cascaded while navigating a change of weather. Special thanks to Babsje Heron for introducing me to the less familiar collective noun “storytelling”.

Ragged Hill

Ragged Hill Dairy, West Brookfield, MA

Vintage farm equipment and artifacts on this hilltop farm in West Brookfield, MA give insight into the history of farming in the last century.

Uncovering the Past

The Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge is one of eight covered bridges in Massachusetts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wikipedia states that:
At 137 feet, the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Massachusetts.

Built in 1886, it spans the Ware River at Hardwick and Ware, Massachusetts.

The siding does not fully cover the sides, leaving a strip exposed for light, and extends partway inside each portal.

The bridge notably survived a major flooding event in the 1930s, when the textile mills in Hardwick were destroyed.

Cedar Celebration

The party was in full swing at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary today, where the Cedar Waxwings gorged themselves on berries in between relaxing sunbaths.

Winter Meditation

Zen inspired elements enhance my winter garden.

Zen inspired landscaping offers opportunities for meditation and contemplation in my winter garden. Bamboo is one of the loveliest and most recognizable features.

An invitation to sit is provided by a worn stair step. Below it are smooth hand chosen stones from the Atlantic Ocean.

Rocks suggest mountains, stability…

…and sculptures.

The aged laurel bush, worn by time and weather, is a favorite shelter for native and migrating birds.

A weathered bird feeder ornament intrigues our feathered visitors.

Winterwood

Lichen, Fog and Vines in my Backwoods.

Festive Finch

A visiting House Finch brings a touch of warmth to a chilly New England landscape.

In Native American traditions, finches are associated with celebration and joy. This cheery finch also added a pop of color to my yard when it settled on a lilac branch on this chilly day.

Color coordinated with the bittersweet berries and lilac buds nearby, it shared its surroundings with a Dark-eyed Junco. The bird’s carotene based diet, found in orange and red plants, creates the bird’s startling plumage.

Being half Irish, I was especially charmed to learn that in Celtic Mythology House Finches foretell good fortune!

Good Luck!

Glistening

A combination of ice, sleet and snow created a shimmering yard this morning.

Mountain Laurel With Pines and Oaks in the Background

Northern White Pine

Mountain Laurel

Bamboo With Evergreens

Blueberry Bush (Red Branches)

Icy Perches

Male Northern Cardinal

Female Northern Cardinal

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

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