Winter Critters

[kurtteej]

I was thinking of heading up to the southern or central dax to take some pictures. Any advise on locations for any winter critters in the area? I'd be looking for possible locations, times, conditions things like that. Anything with the potential for something with fur -- birds I have by me.

Note - I would be snow shoeing, not x-country skiing.

[percious]

The Moose Mountain Pond Trail East of North Hudson goes next to a swampy section that has both Beaver Lodge(s) and a condor's nest. You have to take the "low" part of the trail when it splits in the first 1/4 mile or so. (the blue-marked trail goes high) Might be a cool place to keep in mind for spring. Beavers are really neat to see.

I know it is not exactly what you are looking for, but maybe it will help.

-percious

[kurtteej]

The Moose Mountain Pond Trail East of North Hudson goes next to a swampy section that has both Beaver Lodge(s) and a condor's nest. You have to take the "low" part of the trail when it splits in the first 1/4 mile or so. (the blue-marked trail goes high) Might be a cool place to keep in mind for spring. Beavers are really neat to see.

I know it is not exactly what you are looking for, but maybe it will help.

-percious

I'm looking to see and shoot something. Something is better than brown vegetation with a degree of snow cover, which is okay, but i have a lot of that already.

[poconoron]

The Moose Mountain Pond Trail East of North Hudson goes next to a swampy section that has both Beaver Lodge(s) and a condor's nest.

-percious

I'm interested in your mentioning a "condor's nest". To the best of my knowledge, there are no condors in the eastern US- are you referring to perhaps an eagle, osprey or hawk's nest?

I know that condors have been released into the wild in California to try and re-establish a population, but they are not found in the East.

Just curious......

[poconoron]

I was thinking of heading up to the southern or central dax to take some pictures. Any advise on locations for any winter critters in the area? I'd be looking for possible locations, times, conditions things like that. Anything with the potential for something with fur -- birds I have by me.

Note - I would be snow shoeing, not x-country skiing.

That's a tough one in the winter months. As an illustration, I live in the Poconos region where wildlife per square mile must be among the highest in the northeast. And yet, on several recent hikes into the backcountry lasting several hours each, I did not see a single animal or bird- amazing in this part of the country. Anytime I have been lucky enough to spot something, it was generally around a body of water- I've spotted bald eagles on 2 occasions and some other birds along with a few deer.

I guess the wildlife is just not very active in winter time, tending to hunker down where they can get a little warmth........

[DEEPFOREST]

Harriman State Park

I've spent countless hours in Harriman State Park, and I've seen red fox, deer(actually had a buck stare at me while grunting from about 25 yards), I've seen coyote, Beaver, porcupine, rabbits, tons of Turkey Vultures, osprey and lots of other birds of course. I haven't seen bear but their there.
It's about 55,000 acres, 3rd largest park in NY. Theres no hunting and 250 miles of hiking trails.
Trick is of course seeing wildlife when you are wanting to take pics is a lot more difficult than just seeing it by chance.

[dog]

off off top , but ...

Yes , Harriman is a gem . But for me bears there is just a legend . Despite bear hunting in N. NJ is on for at least last 2 years ( any bear , any hunter above 12 years old , as I remember ) .

Off-off-off top : if a deer is killed by a car in Harriman , and it is not removed from , let say 7 Lake Drive , you can see there Dozens of Big Birds , like eagles , hawks - I'm not enough knoweleged yet . They are sitting on trees around and time to time fly down to get a next chunk . I have never seen them so close as in that situations . You can watch them , really see them without any optics . But ~ 50 yards is the limit .

[Boreal Chickadee]

Maybe turkey vultures? They're true scavengers.

[dog]

birds , eating deers

No , Peanut Butter ( I feel uncomfortable typing this " no " ) , at least particulary no - there are different kinds of Big Birds . They get on trees by groups , separately . I just start learn birds using that famous Patterson (?) book with illustrations . I will report after next similar seeing .

[kurtteej]

I think that I'm going to head to a few of the wildlife sanctuaries along the shore. Jamaica Bay and then I'll head south to Blackwater (in Maryland). I'll hold off on mammals until later in the spring or in the summer. Actually this is the end of peak waterfowl season for Blackwater. A lot of the canadians (geese, ducks, swans) will begin heading back up to Canada around now.

[serotonin]

I'm interested in your mentioning a "condor's nest"...

I think that's an Osprey nest. (See percious' excellent trail report for Moose Mt. Pond, etc).
It's amazing to watch those birds fish. They rarely miss.

[Wldrns]

death from the sky

I live where red tailed hawks are common. In otherwise fresh untracked snow I'll see tiny footprints of mice running around, burrowing tunnels and popping up again to continue the tracks. Then the tracks come to a sudden end in a perfect image of wings and feathers imprinted in the snow. You can tell quite a tragic story (and a happy meal) just from those few tracks.

[poconoron]

I think that's an Osprey nest. (See percious' excellent trail report for Moose Mt. Pond, etc).
It's amazing to watch those birds fish. They rarely miss.

Thanks for that info- makes much more sense since condors are thousands of miles from here......

Yes, I've also been fortunate enough to see ospreys dive for fish- an awesome sight.

[kurtteej]

I think that's an Osprey nest. (See percious' excellent trail report for Moose Mt. Pond, etc).
It's amazing to watch those birds fish. They rarely miss.

A couple of years ago, I was out kayaking in the waters between Shelter Island and Long Island. An Osprey (theres LOTS in the area) came sweeping along the water about 5 feet up, dipped down, grabbed a fish that was around 18 to 24 inches long (and fat) popped back up to about 4 feet off the water and flew right over the bow of my kayak. He flew to the other side and proceeded to have breakfast on the far shore. I only wish I had my camera, it was an absolutely amazing scene unfolding in front of me.