[Geoff40]

March-in like a lion, out like a lamb. The ice on the Merrimack river, the namesake of the valley up through southern NH, is beginning to recede. There is more open water along the river, I expect in another week or so it'll all be gone in this area.
This in turn brings spring bird migration. We have here the coastal flyway, then inland there are the 2 main rivers (the other splits NH/Vermont, the Connecticut) , each with it's own flyway. This is a great time of year to see various waterfowl you won't see at any other time around here. Canvasbacks last weekend, these goldeneye, along with a few eagles. They are generally quite skittish and difficult to get close to, especially for photos. One always sees a lot more than one photographs. But I got this and a few others last weekend, first of some common goldeneye males. Heading out this morning "armed with my 72mm", we'll see what I might find along the river.

And one of the eagles. Not a quality shot, way too contrasty against the sky. But you can see this bird is a "near" adult, a white head but the tail is not yet so. Those tail feathers are looking a bit ragged, and no doubt will soon molt. It would be a good bet that the new tail feathers coming will be white, this eagle will probably be a breeding adult for the first time this year. That would make it a 4-5 year old bird.

 

[Bob K]

Geoff, Though I couldn't take pictures as good as yours any more, I welcome the return of the ducks and geese to the river down the street. I take walks on the bike path, which runs next to the Manhan River. ( A tributary of the Connecticut River, which runs 2 miles from my house.)

The lazy pools are alive with newly arrived bird life, as they make their way North. It's always a special treat, while cleanning the yard from the ravages of winter, to see the V formations flying low overhead. It does my heart good!!! Bob

 

[Geoff40]

Bob
You are a lucky man!
I always hope I'll get over along the Connecticut, but time never seems to work for me. I know diddly squat about good watching/photography areas along the Connecticut, wish I did. There are a few species-snow geese being one- that fly in huge numbers over your head, while here there are only a few all year long.
Geoff

 

[Sebago Son]

Last weekend's ice fishing trip to Shapleigh, Maine was visited by a fully matured Bald Eagle.

His head was so dazzlingly bright white that you could barely stand to look at it as he flew against the clear blue sky. He flew right over our heads to alight in the tallest northern white pine on the island we were fishing.

Unfortunately Cush was on the camera so we didn't get a snapshot..... :roll:

 

[Bob K]

Geoff, The Connecticut River, running between N.H. and VT., is a fine trout stream once you get north of White River Junction. Though it is pretty far up north, I like to go to the NorthEast Kingdom of VT.. It's better than my area.

The river in my area is pretty big, the land next to it is private, and, in the summer, is loaded with recreational boaters. A bigger boat is a hassle, so I just have a 10' Jon Boat for small ponds and lakes. Though the river is a resource that is 2nd to none, I rarely use it. Kind of a waste, on my part. I don't like to deal with crowds! :roll:

So, I mainly go out to the Berkshires for hunting and fishing during the week, when there's only a few of us loners around. I avoid the crowds, and just enjoy quiet of the day. Bob