Wachusett Reservoir (7/22)

I got up on Saturday morning and decided that my only opportunity to get outside would be before lunch. So I went out to Wachusett Reservoir for a short hike. It was overcast and muggy and that really kept the animal activity down. But I made due and enjoyed the experience.

The day started off pretty good. I came to the powerline support which was located on a small ridge. From this vantage point I had a good look at the reservoir and was even able to pick out a Common Loon on the water.

Next I headed down the hill and out to the water's edge. On the flowers I found a copy of butterfly species including one Viceroy that was perfectly happy out on a large leaf until I got too close and he flew away. I also found a Eight-Spotted Forrester Moth that was a bit more cooperative.

The waters edge was just packed with flowering Horse-Nettle and while trying to photograph the flowers I must have brushed up against it. For my trouble I got a nasty, itchy, rash on my leg. Watch out for this one.

When I got to the water, I noticed several fish. Five or six of them were very large but there were also dozens of smaller ones. They all looked like the same species to me. Maybe Lake Trout? It was fun to watch them swim around the reeds and I was glad that there were no fishermen in the area to scare them off.

I continued up the road which runs along the reservoir until it came to another ridge. As I looked down, I saw the same Loon (photos by Michel Bordeleau) that I'd seen earlier in the day. He was right below the ridge (maybe 30 feet or so down) on the edge of the water. He nervously swam into deeper water but didn't fly away. And what great looks I got. Seeing this individual so close reaffirms how beautiful they really are. The dark black head accented with the dark red eyes , white collar, and checkered back are stunning. The lack of colors is more than made up for by the striking contrast. Its beauty is only matched by its "cousins" the Pacific Loon (photo by Keith Brady) and Red-throated Loon (photo by Keith Brady).