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Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA
An important meeting was held today under the birdfeeders at Wachusett Meadow.
…And it’s off to the woods.
This Eastern Gray Squirrel has gone nuts for our apple tree.
The North American River Otter and the North American Beaver cruise the Wildlife Pond at the Wachusett Meadow Audubon Sanctuary in the early evening.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbits do not hibernate in the Winter; they are active all year. These rabbits were seen daily near the bird feeders, in all types of weather, often sharing fallen seeds with the sparrows.
“Let’s go read about Squirrel Nutkin!”
Just a few of the “friends” I’ve had the pleasure to see these past months at the Audubon Sanctuary in Princeton, MA.
Wachusett Meadow Audubon Sanctuary in Princeton, MA is home to an eighty-five acre beaver wetland–one of the largest in Massachusetts. A sign along the trails reminds visitors that:
• Beavers are a keystone species, providing habitat for many other animals and plants.
• Beaver wetlands are highly advantageous to wildlife, providing wetlands in various stages from open water to wet meadows.
•These wetlands provide habitat for moose, great blue heron, wood duck, dragonflies, amphibians and aquatic plants.
Pumpkins, Fall vegetation, colonial houses, and snowy landscapes dotted with the creatures that inhabit them all evoke a traditional New England Thanksgiving. Wishing you a wonderful holiday from Central Massachusetts.
In recent years, wild turkeys have become a very common sight in Massachusetts. While they look rather plain and brown from a distance, a closer inspection reveals feathers of a wide variety of subtle patterns and hues. The males’ iridescent feathers shine with green, red, bronze, copper and gold. Both males and females have a distinctive “wattle”, a fleshy red piece of skin that hangs beneath the neck.
turkeys in field
feather close
This northern cardinal, high above me on his windy perch, spotted me photographing him. With feathers rustling in the wind, his watchful eye followed me attentively. With a sudden flash of brilliant red, he swooped down to command the bird feeders, constantly checking out the action around him. It wasn’t until he was at ground level that he seemed curiously unconcerned with the small mammals hunting for seeds with him.
What could be sweeter for chipmunks than a jumble of perfectly ripe pumpkins at eye level?
The flashy crimson patch on this woodpecker’s head blends in perfectly with New England’s Fall tapestry.