A couple of weeks ago Joan and I discovered a new (to us anyway) route from our house to Willard Pond — all trails, no bushwacking — takes all of the challenge out of it! The hike is a nice 5-6 mile (roughly estimated) loop and includes the top of Goodhue Hill as an additional highlight (in addition to Willard Pond itself).
On our first trip along this route we encountered a scarlet tanager in the woods as we approached Willard Pond and a juvenile beaver which swam within inches of our feet as we sat on the shore of the pond. (I did not have my camera along on this foray, so no photos… the sound of the camera would have most definitely scared the beaver into a dive anyway.)
Last Tuesday, we took some friends who were visiting on this hike. As we were walking though the woods we encountered a number of red efts (although not nearly as many as we saw on our first excursion) and a couple of wood frogs.
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The zoological highlight though was a dragonfly, specifically a female Kennedy’s Emerald. This was a first for both me as well as my friend Kevin (who has much more experience with, as well as a professional interest, in odonates). According to my reading this is a fairly rare species (it is listed as endangered in MA; I’m not sure about NH) and that southern NH may be near the southern limit of its range.
We first noticed this individual struggling in the water of the Mill Pond near Willard Pond (see the first photo below) and spent some time debating if it was in trouble or it it was ovipositing. After deciding the former, Kevin rescued the critter with a stick and placed her on a nearby maple branch. I was able to get some photos with my macro lens since she wasn’t going anywhere until her wings dried out.
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Great photos and great memories Frank. Thanks for these. It was truly a great hike the Kennedy’s emerald was the icing on the cake!
K
Comment by Kevin — 4 July 2011 @ 8:41 AM
I am impressed – you named a dragonfly after me! Of course, we are endangered- look at the many times my relatives have been targeted by those around us 🙂
Great detail on the red eft and the wood frog as well.
Comment by Just Joe — 7 July 2011 @ 7:17 PM