| August 21,
2007 No reports this week. Maine Nature NewsAugust 14, 2007 Vol. 12, No. 31Wednesday, August 1, Port Clyde (Map 8) Eastern Egg Rock (Map 7) Went out to see the puffins today on Eastern Egg Rock in Muscongus Bay. Took the tour boat Laura B out of Port Clyde. There were a couple dozen puffins in the water and few more loafing (sitting) on the rocks of this small island. Eastern Egg is the southern most point of the puffins range. I remember coming to this island back in the 1980's on one of the tour boats and not even getting to see a puffin. Thats when the island was still in the early stages of the introduction of puffins back to this island. Now there are over 80 mating pairs so seeing one of these colorful birds is almost a sure thing.There are 4 other islands off the coast that also have colonies of puffins. Matincus Rock, Seal Island, Petit Manan and Machias Seal Island. I fell in love with these birds a number of years ago and over that time have been able to pay visits to all of these islands. The puffin trip wrapped up a little after 2pm so not wanting to waste a good day I headed up to Camden (Map 14) for some kayaking on Megunticook Lake. This is one special lake with its clear waters and surrounded by the Camden Hills. There is limited development and a nature preserve in the middle of the lake with benches and tables for boaters and paddlers to stop and enjoy.Saw a hand full of loons but none had any chicks with them. Two of the loons turned out to be a very special pair who allowed me to spend a good deal of time with them from just a few feet away. when I first came upon then they were I think sleeping. Their necks were turned backwards with their bills resting on their backs. They would both open and close there eyes but were not concerned with me being so near. When the sound of a motor boat was heard they both came to life and srarted to look around. I stayed with them for a while as they both fished near shore. One even walked a few feet neat the shore. That was a site to see. I have never seen a loon walk in person before. While all this was going on a very large snapping turtle was about 10 feet below me on the bottom of the lake. SY  I took a quick paddle around a local pond before work and got a few photos . I found this tadpole/ frog changling, actually the pond had a lot of them. And a pair of loons followed me around. A few days before I saw a Great Blue Heron perched in an old dead cedar. KB  I have sent a photo taken late Thursday afternoon of a colorful atmospheric optical phenomenon called a “Circumzenithal Arc.” It is caused by sunlight refracting through horizontally oriented hexagonal ice crystals. It can only be seen when the sun is between 18 and 26 degrees of the horizon. The arc is centered on the zenith (the highest point in the sky). ARS  Tuesday, August 14, Rangeley (Map
28)
The local coyote family is keeping life interesting. Several weeks ago I heard one pack howl within a stone's throw from my house, twice in a night, then at 4:30 am was out and listened to 2 packs howling. Then this weekend I saw three of them run across the field. Last night one of them got sprayed by a skunk, (of course real close to my house). And then this morning I found an old hydraulic hose that was up the road from me right in the road at my house. I guess that was to replace the 10 inch ball they stole from my dog last week. KB |
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Q&A
Q.
Black
Flies here are a nuisance, we wear head gear to walk or run, only
problem with that is the poor dogs get attacked. Is there
anything that animals can use to prevent attacks? Thank you.
KJ
A. Brewer's yeast sprinkled on the dog's food has worked well for our dogs. When the mosquitoes and black flies are very heavy I spray my fingers with a bug spray and put on ears and carefully around eyes. A light spray on their fur helps too. RF Email questions and answers. |
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