Back to Conant Brook Dam

We had a beautifully spring-like warm day this past Tuesday, so I went to Conant Brook Dam, the place I go when I need an after work walk away from the roads. It was nearly 70 degrees and sunny, just 5 days after the post I wrote telling you I was home from school due to high winds, snow and sleet. The damage from this storm was evident along this path in the woods, with many fallen trees and broken branches.

If you’ve been out in the woods in the northeast at all since last fall, it would be hard not to notice the massive number of pine cones on the ground. Apparently 2023 was what was known as a “mast year”, a year in which a seed producing tree produces an unusually high number of its seeds.

Have you seen similar sights where you live?

I continued along my path. I stopped in this spot where I took a photo of the same view I took on my icy walk on January 14 . This day, instead of cracking ice, I heard lots of bird song. I tried to take a picture of an eastern phoebe – Barbara posted a great shot recently– but mine was too blurry to bother posting.

I did see some pussy willows just beginning to show their cute little fuzzies. I’m sure there is a more scientific word for that part of the plant’s anatomy, but fuzzy works for me.

Up to the top of the dam, where I always like to take a photo. I like watching the changes from here as the seasons progress. I made my loop across the top of the dam and then back down to my usual path. As I admired the view on my way back down, I saw a bird of prey soaring in the bright blue sky.

I was only carrying my 18-150mm lens with me this day, so this was as close as I could get. I had no idea what type of bird I was looking at at the time. After doing some zooming and comparing to other photos, I decided it is most likely an osprey.

I didn’t really think this was an area that osprey would choose for hunting grounds, however, I saw another photo on a local page on Facebook much closer up and very similar looking with a fish in its talons.

As I got closer to the part of the path where I would normally head for my car, I decided it was much too nice of a day to end my walk so soon, so I took another branch of a path that I don’t walk as often. In fact, I only walked this path for the first time fairly recently when I was out geocaching. Have you heard of this fun little hobby? A friend recently got me into it. I’m thinking of writing another post about our geocaching adventures, but check out that website for a little information on what it is all about.

I see a contemplative face in these gnarled roots – do you see it? A large circular eye socket, elongated nose, full upper lip, long chin. I followed this path a bit farther and heard very loud peepers. If you click on this link, you will be taken to my YouTube video which shows the woods and water where I stopped and listened to the peepers. Apparently you have to pay for a premium subscription these days to add videos to your posts.

I’ve always loved beautiful buds or flowers against a bright blue sky. This was the last shot I took before finally deciding to head back to the car.

It is the beginning of spring break week here in Massachusetts as I am writing this post. I’m hoping to get out for some more walks this week, weather permitting, however I am tasked with doing some things I never would’ve thought I’d need to spend my April vacation week doing. In addition to job hunting, due to the loss of my job because of lack of funding that I told you about in my previous post, I am also studying to add another subject area to my teaching license in the hopes of possibly being able to secure a new position. Wish me luck.