Sunday, November 15, Topsham (Map 6)
From about noon on Saturday till the wee hours of Sunday morning over 5″ of rain fell here in Southern Maine do to the remains of Hurricane Ida passing through. On Sunday morning I took a walk or should I say splash along some of the trails of the Cathance River Preserve. What are normally a series of small falls and cascades were now a raging torrent. Many parts of the trail along the river bank were underwater which resulted in a bit of bushwhacking. SY
Thursday, November 5 Rangeley (Map 28)
I was walking in the woods near Rangeley, when I saw this large bird perched on the lower limb of a spruce. I couldn’t immediately tell what it was but the way it was sitting I had a feeling it was an owl. It had it’s back towards me and was intently watching the grass. As I raised my camera to get a picture, it turned towards me. A Great Gray Owl! Bright yellow eyes, that very distinctive face and gray. It was one of those what do I do know, did I really see what I think I saw. And no, I didn’t get a picture.
I have been seeing more boreal birds lately, a northern shrike, more snow buntings. Even the gray jays are getting more friendly. KB
Gray jays are friendly, inquisitive birds.
Saturday, November 7 Topsham (Map 6)
Went and checked on my trail camera this morning which is set up on a nature preserve here in town. Being hunting season this is the only place I feel safe at coming and going this time of year. A snowshoe hare passed by and is just starting to change color. It will be fun in the coming weeks to watch this change take place. Also from time to time a few deer came and went but most of the pictures were blurry as they were on the move and not very photogenic. They appeared to be a doe with two yearlings. SY
Editor’s Column
Robin’s Thoughts & Rambles
Robin Follette, Editor/Publisher
Hello!
November 29
I’m still enjoying November’s warmer than average temperatures. I have to be sure to tip balsam for wreaths first thing in the morning so that the brush snaps easily in the cold. The heater hasn’t yet been on in the seedling house where I make wreaths.
Some of the numbered townships have been given regular names. If you happen to know any of them will you please tell me? I want to keep my Gazetteer up to date so that map numbers here are up to date.
KB in Rangelely said he had 3″ of snow on the ground yesterday. We’ve had flurries in Talmadge but no accumulation. The ground is crunchy under foot some mornings but thawed by mid morning. My bird feeding station is very quiet this fall. I know what the blue jays are up to but where are the rest of the birds normally at my feeder? The blue jays are flying in and out of the barn to eat the ducks’ food. If the bin is empty I know long before the ducks come up from the pond to eat because the blue jays sit outside the door in the cherry trees and scream. And I oblige. I’ve stopped in the middle of projects to get a bucket of food and refill the bin.
Our wildlife-filled summer of bears and moose has faded into an uneventful fall. The game cam has been strapped to an apple tree for about a month. We have three does and three bucks coming in to eat during the night. The bucks are a spike horn, a crotch horn and a ten point. Since the rut started 10 days ago we see less and less of the deer. Their patterns have changed and they have something other than apples on their mind. We’re finding scrapes, hookings and pawings in areas we hadn’t seen tracks in two weeks ago. I haven’t seen a rabbit and there’s only one red squirrel around to torment the dogs. The squirrel stays safely on the other side of the road away from the dogs. I bet he’s been chased before!
It’s still very slow at Maine Nature News. It seems like there’s not a lot going on in nature right now but that can’t be true. I’m outside a lot but not seeing anything reportable. What’s going on in your part of Maine?
Have a good week!
Robin Follette
Editor/Publisher
November 15
The weather has been perfect for outdoor work. Leaves have been raked and added to the garden, the firewood is in and the garlic is planted. It’s nice to have time to enjoy being outside without having to bundle up. That will come soon enough.
We’ve been watching deer on the farm via the game cam. We seem to have five deer here on a regular basis. They’re cleaning up under the apple trees and in the garden during the night. They’ve “pruned” the raspberries we grow and favor bok choi. The red cabbage I switched to this year don’t meet their approval. I seldom see the deer but I like knowing they’re here.
Have a good week!
Robin Follette, Editor/Publisher
Maine Nature News
