Seasons on the Charles River

I've been taking photos from the same position capturing the same approximate scene for about 3 years now. Recent construction work has altered the scene so the project had to come to a halt. But I've posted a slide show comprising a sample of the photos (3-5 per month) organized from January to December. The resolution is better (obviously) in the original photos, but I invite you to watch this in full screen HD mode.

The photos were taken from the canoe launch at the Charles River Peninsula in Needham, MA facing the "Cochrane" bridge.
This is what has happened to the bridge since:
April

May

July

 I trust the bridge will be restored to its original beauty at the end of the construction project.

Blasé Coyote

There it was, ambling through the athletic field at the Cambridge School of Weston.

A little too used to humans, I think. As I moved closer to take the photo, it moved closer to get a better look at me. (And pick up something to chew).

In fact, it was so blasé about my presence that I was going to call it a dog. And then it trotted right into the woods, no owner in sight...

Narrow River, Narragansett

Great Egrets (and clammer), Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

My mom had a groupon deal for a kayak rental outfit in Narragansett, so there I went with Lily to join other members of the family for a mid-day salt water kayak excursion.

The weather was clear and sunny, the water calm, the tide going out. The shorebird life was teeming.

Snowy Egret, Greater Yellowlegs, and Willet, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

 And osprey were abundant, five or six visible in the sky at a time.

Osprey, three in the nest, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

We were able to get very close to some birds. It did cause us to get stuck on sandbars once or twice.

Young terns, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

This cormorant was blocking the landing at Gooseberry Island. I wonder if it was molting. It wouldn't fly away.

And willets were everywhere.

Willet and semipalmated plover, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

Oh shorebirds. How I still can't identify you...

Willet and Dowitcher (?), Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

Wild Turkey roosting in our tree

Good Morning, Wild Turkey!

I think it is comforting to have a wild turkey, such a large animal, visibly roosting in our tree at night. And we are grateful for the feathers it is leaving us.

Wild Turkey feathers, both wing and tail.

And we are especially glad it is no longer roosting above our cars. (We will have a healthy pile of turkey guano by the end of the summer).

Mid-July at Charles River Peninsula

Great Blue Heron, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It's mid-summer. What more to say? The heron takes up its normal place on the river.

American Goldfinch, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The only birds putting much energy into their songs are the goldfinch. And this one is molting already?

Monarch Butterfly, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And monarch butterflies abound. Soon we'll be able to see their young munching on the milkweed.

Barn Swallows get fed

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

While I was cleaning out nesting boxes at the CRP this morning, I noticed this group of young barn swallows in a nearby tree.

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The parents were actively feeding them. If you look closely above you can see a flying insect in the middle one's beak.

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Above is the classic shot. I wish I had been a bit closer.

Nest box vandalism at the Charles River Peninsula

Box 1 Former nest of house sparrow

Sometime this week after the morning of the Fourth (the last time I was on the property) vandals knocked down two nesting boxes at the Charles River Peninsula and destroyed an active tree swallow nest.

Box 2 Former nest of tree swallow

As the volunteer caretaker of these boxes for the last few months this hits hard.

Box 3 Former tree swallow nest

The first two boxes were effectively empty--an unsuccessful male house sparrow controlling the first and young tree swallows recently fledged from the other. It is the gratuitous destruction of the active tree swallow nest (box 3 has been cursed this year) that leaves me speechless. There were chicks in there.

Mute swan and cygnets, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

So we won't be putting box 1 or box 2 back up, this year at least. And I wouldn't blame the tree swallow parents for abandoning box 3. But time will tell. I'll keep checking...