Last October, before the Gray Wildlife Park could close, I called and arranged for a Photographer’s Pass.  This, they assured me, would allow me behind the scenes to see the black bears, up close and personal.

I wasn’t exactly prepared for how “up close and personal” it was!

And I was thrilled!

Red sniffing a piece of apple, one of his favorite treats

The Black Bears have an amazing habitat, where viewers stand up high to look down on them as they wander, sleep, or even take a swim. The bears, in fact all the animals at the park, were injured or were raised to be human dependent and can no longer be released back into the wild. Instead, the game wardens care for them, and in return, the animals help to educate the public on wildlife awareness and conservation.

When the apples are gone, he licks the hand of Jade.

By getting the behind the scenes pass, I hoped I’d really be able to see them, hear their footsteps and their snuffling . . . .

. . . or watch them try to open a gate, hoping for one more piece of apple!

Look at the size of that paw!

Jade was a fabulous guide, listening to my reasons for being in the park, letting me ask questions and even helping me brainstorm a scene in Book 4!   Below, she’s trying to get Red to stand up, so I could “feel” the sheer size of him.

Here are Red (Left) and Susie (Right) together. They are both Black Bears, although Red’s fur does have a reddish tint to it. (Hence his name!)

Some might mistake him for a grizzly because of that tint to his fur, but Black Bears have a white muzzle. Which gives him away.

Both bears were “bulked up”, having gained weight for their hibernation. I’m looking forward to seeing them in the Spring when they wake up.  I think a season pass might be in order this summer!

Today, I found this Pileated Woodpecker flitting from tree to tree, looking for the carpenter ants it loves.

Watch closely to see how it flicks its tongue to snap up those ants.

I love lakes too, dear Jonathan!

(reprinted with permission)

I will be selling my wildlife calendars and notebooks through the Holiday Season for as long as supplies last.

In the past, I’ve used them for hostess and teacher gifts.  I’ve given the notebooks to kids with Storycubes or a writing prompt book.  Here are some pictures of the items I test printed.

Notebooks with line pages $15.00

Desk Calendars 8″ x 3″ $12.00

Wall Calendars 8×5″ x 11″ $17.00

The photos in both style calendars are as follows:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

I’m also ordering 5.5″ x 4″  notecards, blank inside, with the bear, hummingbird, fox, eagle, and loon with chick, photos.  The price for 10 (2 of each image) will be $15.00.  Envelopes included.

For shipping, add $3.50.

To place an order:

1. Leave the Item(s), and number ordering in the comments below with your name only.
2. Tally your total due, remember to include shipping.  For more than 5 items shipping may be more.
3. I will reply to your comment when I’ve received payment and mailed your items, so you can expect delivery. Let me know if  you have any questions. And thank you for your orders!

I almost left this as a wordless post – and let the pictures do the talking . . .

But this author doesn’t always know how to “do” wordless, loving instead to give the background on what I’ve witnessed ‘in the field’.

While kayaking last August, I saw in the distance an eagle on the edge of the lake, in the shadows. It appeared to be bathing. The splashing water is actually what caught my attention at first. Well, that, and an eaglet up above on a branch hollering down to it, probably looking for its next meal.

Bathing pictures are on my bucket list, so I slowly paddled forward, hoping to get close enough, but alas, it took to the air.

In my direction.

Landing on a branch, almost directly above my head, it spread its wings, and left them there! In the back of my mind, I realized I’d read about this while doing research for Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest, but it was a first for me to see it.

I sat in my kayak, watching this photographic eagle for forty minutes!  Mostly, it stayed in that one pose. Eventually though, it began to preen . . . .

Before hanging its wings again.

They’re so regal looking, aren’t they?

Right now, in October, November, the eagle pair do still hang around the lake. Just last week, I wandered to the shoreline for sunrise photos, to find them adding branches to their nest!

They will come and go for the next couple months, with me not seeing them for weeks at a time. But when I do, I’ll post photos here and on Facebook. In mid-January, I usually have to don my snowshoes to get to the edge of the lake to see them. In March, the pair stay closer together, near the nest, and I see them every time I trek down. If I’m lucky, I’ll even witness  them mating, which is  a sure sign we’ll be having chicks.

In April, we typically find one eagle sitting down in the nest, with just the tip of her white head showing. This means they’re on the eggs for the next 35 days.

During the very last week of April or first week of May, my campers and I point our cameras toward the nest, hoping for a sign of little gray chick heads bobbing up and down. They aren’t able to hold up their heads until they’re about two weeks old.  At this stage we’re looking to snap pictures of two or possibly even three, gray heads up all at the same time as proof of how many chicks we’ll be following that summer.

Click on the Eagle tag on the right, and you’ll see previous years posts showing their nesting.

Come back often this winter and I’ll keep you posted on this years chicks! I love sharing my findings with all of you.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

And now I present the cover for Mystery of the Missing Fox!

Carl DiRocco has gone and done it again. This cover is absolutely perfect.

Here’s a blurb by Islandport ~

“The stakes have never been higher for Cooper Wilder. When an accident puts Cooper’s dad in the hospital, Cooper must shoulder some new responsibilities. But he’s distracted. First, he and his friends find a fox caught in an illegal trap on the campground’s land. Then kits start to go missing from the fox den. Who would want to catch foxes? And why? Cooper, Packrat, and Roy must protect the den, find the kits, and rule out Summer, the new girl who lives across the lake, as a suspect. Juggling new campground duties, feeling guilty over his father’s accident, and desperate to help the fox kits, Cooper must make some tough decisions about who–and what–should come first.”

Last Friday, I was honored to be the guest author at Albert S. Hall School’s Literacy Breakfast in Waterville, Maine.  My talk – the inspiration behind the series.  My hope –  that students would learn they could find inspiration too, just outside their front doors.

When I arrived at 7am, I was eager to meet Jen Allen, my contact for the event. We’d been chatting back and forth for months, in anticipation of my visit. She introduced me to Anne Smith, Librarian and Barbara Jordan, Principal.  I wish I’d thought to get a photo of the three of us, because I truly enjoyed meeting them.

As I entered the cafeteria to set up for my talk, this amazing collage greeted me

Each piece was created by the students with die-cut shapes as their base

Packrat and his coat of many pockets

Bathroom cleaning plays a big part in Mystery of Pine Lake

The dump truck doing the trash run. Love the trash bags!

Loons, eggs and Ant Island! :)

Look at all the little details! A lot of thought went into this!  And I couldn’t stop bragging about it all weekend long.

I wish I’d taken a photo of the food table, too.  If I hadn’t of had butterflies in my belly over having to talk to fifty families, I would have filled a plate myself.

Families slowly wandered in as I set up, and before I knew it the cafeteria was full and Barbara was introducing me.

I showed photos of loons and foxes for books 1 and 3, but I was especially excited to show the inspiration behind Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest; our nesting eagles, geocaching, the Grafton Notch box canyon and my campground, too.

Because all fifty families who attended, received a free  hardcover copy along with a literacy folder that held among other things, a beautiful, empty writing journal.

I was a little envious of that writing journal, truth be told.

Once I finished speaking, I was ushered in the “back door” to the library, to find a a line of students waiting for me to sign their books. Meeting each one individually, really warmed my heart.

As I drove back to Whittier Middle School, to my own students, I reflected on the many positive interactions I’d had in my short hour and a half there. Above them all, was one I felt illustrated exactly what Jen, Barbara, Anne and the rest of the staff at Albert S. Hall School had worked so hard to accomplish.

I’d just finished signing the book of a 4th grade boy, when he looked down at it as if he didn’t quite know what to do next. Turning to another student, he asked, “Can I take it home?”
His friend said,  “Yeah. It’s yours.”
“It is?” he gazed down at it in wonder.
“Uh-huh.”
He smiled, turning that book over and over his hands. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his look.

Albert S. Hall School, you’re creating book lovers, one book at a time. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of that.

Last Friday, I was honored to be the guest author at Albert S. Hall School’s Literacy Breakfast in Waterville, Maine.  My talk – the inspiration behind the series.  My hope –  that students would learn they could find inspiration too, just outside their front doors.

When I arrived at 7am, I was eager to meet Jen Allen, my contact for the event. We’d been chatting back and forth for months, in anticipation of my visit. She introduced me to Anne Smith, Librarian and Barbara Jordan, Principal.  I wish I’d thought to get a photo of the three of us, because I truly enjoyed meeting them.

As I entered the cafeteria to set up for my talk, this amazing collage greeted me

Each piece was created by the students with die-cut shapes as their base

Packrat and his coat of many pockets

Bathroom cleaning plays a big part in Mystery of Pine Lake

The dump truck doing the trash run. Love the trash bags!

Loons, eggs and Ant Island! :)

Look at all the little details! A lot of thought went into this!  And I couldn’t stop bragging about it all weekend long.

I wish I’d taken a photo of the food table, too.  If I hadn’t of had butterflies in my belly over having to talk to fifty families, I would have filled a plate myself.

Families slowly wandered in as I set up, and before I knew it the cafeteria was full and Barbara was introducing me.

I showed photos of loons and foxes for books 1 and 3, but I was especially excited to show the inspiration behind Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest; our nesting eagles, geocaching, the Grafton Notch box canyon and my campground, too.

Because all fifty families who attended, received a free  hardcover copy along with a literacy folder that held among other things, a beautiful, empty writing journal.

I was a little envious of that writing journal, truth be told.

Once I finished speaking, I was ushered in the “back door” to the library, to find a a line of students waiting for me to sign their books. Meeting each one individually, really warmed my heart.

As I drove back to Whittier Middle School, to my own students, I reflected on the many positive interactions I’d had in my short hour and a half there. Above them all, was one I felt illustrated exactly what Jen, Barbara, Anne and the rest of the staff at Albert S. Hall School had worked so hard to accomplish.

I’d just finished signing the book of a 4th grade boy, when he looked down at it as if he didn’t quite know what to do next. Turning to another student, he asked, “Can I take it home?”
His friend said,  “Yeah. It’s yours.”
“It is?” he gazed down at it in wonder.
“Uh-huh.”
He smiled, turning that book over and over his hands. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his look.

Albert S. Hall School, you’re creating book lovers, one book at a time. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of that.

Every year, I look forward to hosting my writer’s group to a working weekend here at Poland Spring Campground.  Fall is the time when I transition from primarily working on campground “stuff” to digging into writing projects.  So meeting with other writers, sharing in their celebrations, hearing their struggles, brainstorming ideas and projects . . . it helps to motivate and inspire me.  Spur me forward.

This year, I’m especially excited to share photos of the weekend with my students, because the critique circle, and its rules, are something Shannon and I have used in the classroom  with great success.  Knowing “real writers” use this method to give feedback on their work, makes the students more willing to share and trust in the classroom circle, too.

Bottom of the circle, clockwise: Jeanne Bracken, Denise Ortakales, Mary Morton Cowan, Anna Jordan, Joyce Johnson, Nancy Cooper, Mona Pease, Meg Frazer Blakemore, Val Giogas, Andrea Tompa, Laura Hamor.

The authors and I worked hard, beginning at 8:30 with a “What’s New With You” whip around.  Joining us this Fall, was our visiting editor Andrea Tompa from Candlewick Press. Each author has 20 minutes of time and everyone contributes to the feedback. Once  again, I’m humbled and grateful for the in-person comments, support and loving-nudging that flew around the circle.

We have writers and illustrators, non-fiction and fiction, with picture book, middle grade, historical fiction, and Young Adult manuscripts in various stages.  Some of us are published, some are very close. The projects read this year were absolutely fascinating!

I’m most excited to bring back to the classroom, a picture book dummy from Laura. It’ll be a great tool, when we start our graphic novel unit.

We worked hard, breaking every so often for movement.  And of course, lunch.  By 2:30 we were onto a Q & A with Andrea about the industry.  And by 4:00, it was time to take a walk, kayak or read under the trees, before gathering again for supper.

Top: Laura, Anna, Denise, Nancy Middle: Mary, Val, Joyce Bottom: Meg, Mona, Me, Andrea, Jeanne

And this morning, those of us who stayed the night, met for coffee in the office and decided to go for a quick early morning kayak ride .  . .

In the rain, of course.

The rain passed.  Loons flew directly overhead, so close we heard their wings cutting through the air.  Still other loons called back and forth from area lakes, chorus style.  And eagle flew down the shoreline. The sun came out.  The wind picked up.  We headed back.

Now six of us are left here at the campground, working, writing, revising.  Inspired by each other to keep doing what we love.  Driven to put the perfect words, in the perfect order, to write the story we were meant to write.

And tomorrow, I’ll share all this with my students.

Then ask them to do the same.

Every year, I look forward to hosting my writer’s group to a working weekend here at Poland Spring Campground.  Fall is the time when I transition from primarily working on campground “stuff” to digging into writing projects.  So meeting with other writers, sharing in their celebrations, hearing their struggles, brainstorming ideas and projects . . . it helps to motivate and inspire me.  Spur me forward.

This year, I’m especially excited to share photos of the weekend with my students, because the critique circle, and its rules, are something Shannon and I have used in the classroom  with great success.  Knowing “real writers” use this method to give feedback on their work, makes the students more willing to share and trust in the classroom circle, too.

Bottom of the circle, clockwise: Jeanne Bracken, Denise Ortakales, Mary Morton Cowan, Anna Jordan, Joyce Johnson, Nancy Cooper, Mona Pease, Meg Frazer Blakemore, Val Giogas, Andrea Tompa, Laura Hamor.

The authors and I worked hard, beginning at 8:30 with a “What’s New With You” whip around.  Joining us this Fall, was our visiting editor Andrea Tompa from Candlewick Press. Each author has 20 minutes of time and everyone contributes to the feedback. Once  again, I’m humbled and grateful for the in-person comments, support and loving-nudging that flew around the circle.

We have writers and illustrators, non-fiction and fiction, with picture book, middle grade, historical fiction, and Young Adult manuscripts in various stages.  Some of us are published, some are very close. The projects read this year were absolutely fascinating!

I’m most excited to bring back to the classroom, a picture book dummy from Laura. It’ll be a great tool, when we start our graphic novel unit.

We worked hard, breaking every so often for movement.  And of course, lunch.  By 2:30 we were onto a Q & A with Andrea about the industry.  And by 4:00, it was time to take a walk, kayak or read under the trees, before gathering again for supper.

Top: Laura, Anna, Denise, Nancy Middle: Mary, Val, Joyce Bottom: Meg, Mona, Me, Andrea, Jeanne

And this morning, those of us who stayed the night, met for coffee in the office and decided to go for a quick early morning kayak ride .  . .

In the rain, of course.

The rain passed.  Loons flew directly overhead, so close we heard their wings cutting through the air.  Still other loons called back and forth from area lakes, chorus style.  And eagle flew down the shoreline. The sun came out.  The wind picked up.  We headed back.

Now six of us are left here at the campground, working, writing, revising.  Inspired by each other to keep doing what we love.  Driven to put the perfect words, in the perfect order, to write the story we were meant to write.

And tomorrow, I’ll share all this with my students.

Then ask them to do the same.

Today, I took all the names, of all the teachers and librarians who entered the contest, and brought them to my classroom.  Mrs. Shanning was nice enough to let me hijack some of our Writing Block time so our students could help me choose the winner of the Cooper and Packrat Classroom Package.

First, I explained what the contest was all about  – why a paperback is so important and why authors celebrate the release of it.  They enjoyed reading all the entries from teachers and librarians; laughing at the antics of monkeys and skunks, marveling over the descriptions of moose, fox and bear being seen up close and personal.

Then we took our Star Writer-of-the-day and gave her a Packrat-like  vest-of-many-pockets. Pockets on the outside. Pockets on the inside.  Pockets on the backs and sides.

Then we took all the folded up entries and shook them up in chest.

One by one, each of our nine students picked a random name, unknown to them, and put it in a pocket of the vest.

And Shannon too . . .

And the students gave a drum roll . ..

As the Star Writer, pulled a name from one of the pockets.

She unfolded it . . .

Aaaaaaand .  . .

The winner is . . . .

Lori Hannon-Theaker!!  Librarian Specialist at Perryville Elementary School!

From Islandport Press and I, Congratulations Lori!!

I truly enjoyed each and every story, telling them over and over again to anyone who’d listen. Thank you all so much for sharing!!

Today, I took all the names, of all the teachers and librarians who entered the contest, and brought them to my classroom.  Mrs. Shanning was nice enough to let me hijack some of our Writing Block time so our students could help me choose the winner of the Cooper and Packrat Classroom Package.

First, I explained what the contest was all about  – why a paperback is so important and why authors celebrate the release of it.  They enjoyed reading all the entries from teachers and librarians; laughing at the antics of monkeys and skunks, marveling over the descriptions of moose, fox and bear being seen up close and personal.

Then we took our Star Writer-of-the-day and gave her a Packrat-like  vest-of-many-pockets. Pockets on the outside. Pockets on the inside.  Pockets on the backs and sides.

Then we took all the folded up entries and shook them up in chest.

One by one, each of our nine students picked a random name, unknown to them, and put it in a pocket of the vest.

And Shannon too . . .

And the students gave a drum roll . ..

As the Star Writer, pulled a name from one of the pockets.

She unfolded it . . .

Aaaaaaand .  . .

The winner is . . . .

Lori Hannon-Theaker!!  Librarian Specialist at Perryville Elementary School!

From Islandport Press and I, Congratulations Lori!!

I truly enjoyed each and every story, telling them over and over again to anyone who’d listen. Thank you all so much for sharing!!

In honor of wonderful educators everywhere, Islandport Press and I are running a  special contest for teachers and librarians!

For as long as I can remember, teachers and librarians have played a major role in my life by encouraging, nurturing, and gently pushing me out of my comfort zone to try new things. From my hometown librarian who recommended Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, to the sixth grade teacher who built a library of our stories and made us feel published, to a high school English teacher who encouraged me to proudly belt out a Bye Bye Birdie song on stage (even though I couldn’t sing a note to save my life), and so many more, these teachers and librarians will always be close to my heart.

In the past few years, I’ve met many more educators that I admire, some on-line and others in person at conferences and book signings for Cooper and Packrat. Also, as a teacher assistant at Whittier Middle School, I work with some brilliant educators and I’m learning so much. Times may have changed in the last *ahem* 35ish years, what with technology and all, but teachers and librarians haven’t. They still give daily to their classrooms and communities; monetarily, personally, and most of all, from the heart – seeing their students as people, not just a job.

In honor of all the educators from my past and present who give so freely, and with the help of my publisher Islandport Press, we’re giving away a Cooper and Packrat Package: a classroom set of 20 Mystery on Pine Lake paperbacks, a hardcover copy, and a half-hour Skype visit.

Entering the contest is simple, teachers and librarians only need leave a comment on this blog post, telling their name, school, and favorite wildlife encounter. Let Islandport and I know that you’ve spread the word about the contest on Facebook or Twitter, and we’ll enter your name twice.

Not an educator? Please tell your favorite teacher or librarian about it!

The deadline to enter is midnight, September 17^th. I’ll ask one of my little campers to draw a name on the 18^th , the release day for Cooper and Packrat’s first paperback, Mystery on Pine Lake!

 Thank you educators, for all you do! Islandport Press and I know firsthand, that kids everywhere appreciate you more than you know.

Edited to make one little change:  The students in Shannon Shanning’s and my classroom, are very intrigued and excited by the paperback edition of Mystery on Pine Lake.  So I’ve asked them to take part in this Giveaway by pulling the winning name for this contest!  Look for a blog post tomorrow, highlighting the winner!

In honor of wonderful educators everywhere, Islandport Press and I are running a  special contest for teachers and librarians!

For as long as I can remember, teachers and librarians have played a major role in my life by encouraging, nurturing, and gently pushing me out of my comfort zone to try new things. From my hometown librarian who recommended Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, to the sixth grade teacher who built a library of our stories and made us feel published, to a high school English teacher who encouraged me to proudly belt out a Bye Bye Birdie song on stage (even though I couldn’t sing a note to save my life), and so many more, these teachers and librarians will always be close to my heart.

In the past few years, I’ve met many more educators that I admire, some on-line and others in person at conferences and book signings for Cooper and Packrat. Also, as a teacher assistant at Whittier Middle School, I work with some brilliant educators and I’m learning so much. Times may have changed in the last *ahem* 35ish years, what with technology and all, but teachers and librarians haven’t. They still give daily to their classrooms and communities; monetarily, personally, and most of all, from the heart – seeing their students as people, not just a job.

In honor of all the educators from my past and present who give so freely, and with the help of my publisher Islandport Press, we’re giving away a Cooper and Packrat Package: a classroom set of 20 Mystery on Pine Lake paperbacks, a hardcover copy, and a half-hour Skype visit.

Entering the contest is simple, teachers and librarians only need leave a comment on this blog post, telling their name, school, and favorite wildlife encounter. Let Islandport and I know that you’ve spread the word about the contest on Facebook or Twitter, and we’ll enter your name twice.

Not an educator? Please tell your favorite teacher or librarian about it!

The deadline to enter is midnight, September 17^th. I’ll ask one of my little campers to draw a name on the 18^th , the release day for Cooper and Packrat’s first paperback, Mystery on Pine Lake!

 Thank you educators, for all you do! Islandport Press and I know firsthand, that kids everywhere appreciate you more than you know.

I swear, I’ve taken over 800 pictures of Hummingbirds this summer.

There isn’t a lot of days off, when you run a campground, but I do find an hour here and there.  Not usually enough time to head out in the kayak to see the loons, eagles or heron. But time to sit in my little corner of the front yard.

From there, I have a front row seat to the Honeysuckle bush. And Hummingbirds love Honeysuckle.

It’s fascinating to watch them flit here and there, to and fro.  Not a sound is made, but the branches of the bush dance below them from the sheer force of their flapping wings.

Sometimes, sitting quiet on the front lawn yields the best photos of all.

I just received exciting news! The paperback edition of Mystery on Pine Lake, will be released September 18th!!

Just in time for back to school!!

I’m going to have a contest for teachers and librarians surrounding the release date. Check back in September for the details.

Also in time for back to school, I’ve added a Teaching Guide for Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest.   Developed by Shannon Shanning, Maine’s 2013 Teacher Of The Year, it was tested in the classroom on her students.  We warned them they’d be guinea pigs . . . so they were honest with us about the lessons.  It was a great collaborative effort!

Shannon and I love to receive feedback, so please let us know if you use the guide.  You’ll find additional projects and ideas on my Pintrest Page, as well as on Twitter.

Have a great 2015-2016 School Year!!

Sometimes, when I go out in the kayak, I’m intent on finding photo opportunities.  Sometimes, I’m looking for time to to let my mind wander in the quiet around me.

Sometimes I need to “be” one with nature, to clear my head and fill my soul. No thinking allowed – only observing all the marvelous sights and sounds around us. How green the leaves are, the sound the water makes as it laps at the shoreline, the  shapes of the clouds as they float past, the beads of water on a spider web built between two Water Bulrush.

It was on one of those days that I decided to snuggle my kayak up to the shoreline, and just be. I put my paddle down, raised my camera and waited. I saw little bugs dance across the water. A fish jumped up out to catch one, as birds flitted over to get one, too. And then I heard a commotion in the bushes a short way away.  I turned my camera on it and saw a female red-winged blackbird rise from between the leaves, a dragonfly in her mouth.

She hovered there, and at first I wasn’t sure why.

But I understood as soon as a chick rose up to follow her.

She led it on a merry chase to a nearby branch.

The chick hollered and hollered. But Mama bird didn’t go any closer.

Instead she showed off that dragonfly, then turned her head, almost as if to say, “How badly do you want it?”

The little one wouldn’t budge, so she eventually scooted down the branch to give it the dragonfly, it so desperately craved.

I know, that with its mother’s patient teaching, it won’t be long before the little one is grabbing dragonflies of its own.

And perhaps on my next moment of “being”, the bird I see snatching dragonflies from the air, will be this little one.

While kayaking last week, I was amused to watch these baby Tree Swallows fight over supper . . . 

I’ve often seen birds harass the eagles, driving them from trees and even away from their own eaglets.

But on Friday, I managed to catch a series of photos of it!

I was watching the eaglets , and talking with one of our campers when the eagle swooped into view.  It was being chased by small birds who were screaming their frustration.

By the time I’d unpacked my camera, the eagle landed with its eaglets. I’m not sure if it had something for them to eat or not. Regardless, the little, tenacious birds kept swooping and pecking like pesky mosquitoes until the eagle took to the skies again, its tiny bullies in hot pursuit.

I was quite a ways from all the action, but when I zoom in on my photos, it almost looks as if the smaller bird has landed on the poor eagle’s head!

And then pecks at it!

A second bird took to the chase and this one, I’m pretty sure, is a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker.

That poor eagle!  It swooped.  It dove.  It did every move it could to shake the pesky, determined pair.

This is the last shot I caught, before the three of them went around the corner and out of sight.  I’m sure that eagle ended up with quite a headache!

I only kayaked out to to see the loon chick three times in two weeks.  This was on purpose, because I didn’t want to disturb the family too many times.  But I DID want to check on them to see how the chick was doing, since we hadn’t had a chick in two years.

I have an advantage with my 500mm lens.  Since I can be further away and still get great photos, the adults aren’t forced or frightened into hiding the chick from my watchful gaze. I was able to witness the parents bring tiny minnows to their little one, dunking the fish several times until the chick took notice and accepted it.

One adult always stayed close by, even when they made quick dives for more food. If they resurfaced more than a few feet from the chick, they’d hoot softly until their little one was close by again.

My very favorite moments, the ones that brought tears to my eyes, were when the chick climbed up on the back of an adult and hid under a wing.   One time, I didn’t even know the chick was there, until the second adult surfaced nearby and softly hooted, coaxing it out.

I’m so sad to report, that sometime between my Wednesday night visit (last week) and my Sunday visit, the chick disappeared.

The adult loons were still diving together, hooting softly to each other.  But the distances they traveled between dives told me there was no chick in tow.

One of the adults seemed to hang out quite a bit by the original nesting site. Perhaps they will re-nest, but in my experience, it’s late in the season, as the chicks need a lot of time to grow and to learn to fly.

I feel very fortunate to have witnessed this chick’s short, but adorable life. I learned a lot about the interactions between chicks and adult loons. I also grew attached. Very attached. I wish I could have documented this chick through several weeks, until it flew to the coast for the winter months. But alas, it’s not meant to be.

I can always hope for next year.

For the last two years, the loons on our lake have lost their eggs after sitting on them for weeks.  This year, they picked an amazing nesting spot, in the shadows and under a fallen branch.

I’ve had my fingers crossed for weeks now!  Four to be exact.  And this weekend I got to witness the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.  A loon chick!

One of my lake neighbors told me the loons were off the nest, and had one chick in tow.  I  think I was afraid to believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.

Now I’m crossing my fingers again for this little one to grow up.  Chicks can be prey to pike, snapping turtles, foxes and eagles.

This pair was very protective, as they should be.  Whenever a boater came too close, they called out loud and long.  They do the same when the eagle flies overhead, too.  Giving them plenty of room, ensures they won’t panic and swim too far from their little one, leaving it unprotected.

The adult loons have only twelve weeks to teach the chicks all they know, before heading to the coast ahead of their little ones.   Chicks from the surrounding area will gather together before following a few weeks later.

The chicks  blackish-brownish coloring really make them blend into the colors of the water. Boaters should take caution on the lakes, giving loons a wide berth in case they have a chick in tow.

I have tons more photos to go through, I’ll post some more very soon! I’m hopeful my shots of them feeding are crisp and clear enough to catch the chick gobbling tiny fish.

Paula Boyce and I

Back on June 3rd, I visited Lake Region’s After School book club. Paula had contacted me to say they’d just finished reading Mystery of Pine Lake, and could I share the inspiration behind the series?

Could I?  It’s my favorite presentation to give!

The students were so excited to see my loon and eagle photos.  But I was more excited to hear their wildlife stories . . . the foxes, loons and eagles they’d seen. We all had great connections and stories to tell.  The time flew by so quickly!!

I signed all their hardcover books . . . as we nibbled on a special s’more trail mix made with a graham cracker cereal, chocolate chips, and mini-marshmallows. It was quite yummy!  I’ll have to remember that recipe for our Sunday Morning Storytime at the campground. I’m sure Maxwell Moose would love it.

I forgot to ask how many books they read in a year, but I do know they finished the graphic novel “Lies In the Dust” before starting Pine Lake.   Paula had heard about it through Shannon and I, as we taught it in our classroom.

One of the readers mentioned how Mystery of Pine Lake  was outside they’re normal reading comfort zone.  “I was a little worried when we started it.. But I really, really enjoyed it!”   That praise, and the student’s honesty, filled my heart.

I shared my writing process with them too, mentioning how Book 3, Mystery of the Missing Fox, was with my editor at that very moment and I was waiting for my editorial notes.  “You still have to make changes and stuff? Even though it’s your third one?”

“Oh yes, yes I do.” I replied.  “It always takes a ton of rewrites to make a story better.”

He nodded solemnly, nibbling on the s’more trail mix. I swear I saw wheels turning in his head.

Many in the group were writers themselves, and I was able to hear about their current projects.  I really enjoyed spending time with this group of readers!

Thanks for having me Lake Region!

The adult eagles are on and off the nest, bringing food to their two eaglets.  They’re never very far away, keeping watch, keeping their little ones safe.

Look at the difference in the talons in these next two pictures. Aren’t they amazing?

So how do they manage to keep from harming their own chicks.  By curling them, when they walk on the nest themselves.

Feeding the eaglets is a full time job right now!

Every time I go lakeside, I can hear them crying for attention.

I bet the poor parents are tired!

The view from the back side of the nest isn’t as clear as from the front.

Especially since the eagles have done some rearranging and seem to be moving large sticks to that side as the eaglets get bigger.

Even after all these years, I still manage to record a new-to-me behavior!  They’re amazing creatures!  Graceful in flight. Great parents. Strong builders.

I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to study them year round, and to use that research in Mystery of the Eagle’s Nest, as well as sharing my nature adventures with campers and readers all over New England.

I can’t wait to see what eagle adventures I witness this coming summer!

Today, after teaching, and after starting a large order for the campground store, I grabbed my camera and headed to the lake.  No sooner had I pushed off shore, I spied a loon fishing halfway across the lake.

I drifted toward it, as I fiddled with my camera to get just the right settings for a slightly cloudy, slightly sunny day.  Suddenly, it popped up beside the kayak.

It stretched, and dove and stretched again.

And I must say, this is how I feel to finally feel the sun on my shoulders and the warm breezes on my face.

It took quite awhile, but I spied the nest, too.  Our loons have chosen a new nesting spot, and I must admit to being a bit relieved.

They haven’t had chicks in two years, and my fingers are crossed that this new nesting site will be a good one for them.

Only time will tell.

The manuscript for Mystery of the Missing Fox might be in my editors hands for review, bu that doesn’t mean the research stops.  Especially when it involves fox kits.

There are five in all, from what I can tell.  I sit in the woods, 100 feet from the den.  And at first, they stare at me, trying to figure if I’m friend or foe.

When I don’t move closer or make any noise, they relax a bit.  But they always know exactly where I am.

Once they feel safe again, the research and fun starts, and I raise my camera.

At first, the kits approach their brothers and sisters very innocently.

They might even give a friendly hey-you-sleeping tap of the paw.

And the next thing you know, they’re nibbling each others ears!  Or feet. Or tail.

They roll around on the ground, no noise, no squeaks or growls that I can hear.  Which is good, since their mother isn’t in the area to protect them from predators.  (She was either out hunting, or watching me, watch her kits)

Just when one kit seems to be getting the best of their sibling, a third comes to the rescue!

When the play has wound down, the kits curl up together. No hard feelings on either side. That’s my cue to go.

I hope the best for this year’s litter.

Stay safe little ones.