Pre-Summer Solstice 2023

The "Far-Outers" is a men's group that meets every two weeks for lunch and discussion. On this day we met at Timbertop Road in New Ipswich on a picture perfect June day. We actually met the day before the solstice, but listening to the birds and seeing all the greenery had a definite summertime vibe.

POTD

We met for lunch at the home of Paul Willis a retired newspaper photojournalist. Every morning for the last three years Paul has been posting a Picture of the Day on his website. These are nature photos taken in his backyard and at a beaver dam that borders his property. Since Blue Herons were nesting on the dam I jumped at the opportunity to hike to the dam that serves as Paul's photographic muse.

The Beaver Dam

It was a short quarter mile hike to the dam. It was an impressive sight, I can understand why Paul considers it his photographic muse.

https://flic.kr/p/2oJzj8d

There is a remains of a rock wall which provides comfortable seating for viewing the pond. There were at least three  beaver lodges and signs of beaver activity.

Juvenile Blue Heron

Paul had mentioned that there were two nests but one was empty. We spotted a bald headed eagle perched on a branch across the pond. Sadly that might explain the empty nest. My camera didn't have the reach to take a decent photo of the eagle but Paul got one with his Nikon P1000 and posted it on his website.

I was able to get a photo of the remaining juvenile heron but saw no signs of a parent.

https://flic.kr/p/2oK5cry Juvenile Blue Heron

Chance of Rain

Dark clouds had clouded part of the sky while we were at the pond and suddenly we had a downpour. We got soaked but it was well worth the effort to see the dam. It was a great way to spend the last Spring day in 2023. Now to see what Summer might bring.