Reggie’s cousin and more…
This post is a combination of my last couple of mornings in Lenox at the Pleasant Valley MA Audubon property. I never saw the heron again after the first morning. I am so thrilled that so many of you enjoyed the Heron and Full Moon post - thanks so much for your posts, texts, VMs and emails - I sincerely appreciate them.
The second morning I went around the Audubon property in the exact order that I had done it during the first morning - another picture perfect September morning. No humidity, 50 degrees and no wind. As I was going around on the trail I heard a pair of Barred Owls talking back and forth to each other - but could never spot them. It was so wonderful to listen to them - with their conversations to each other echoing off of the water.
I kept looking for the heron - no luck. As I continued on along the trail I decided to go to the back corner of the marsh area - I knew the sun would hit there first. It was much quieter than the morning before but I sure knew everything didn’t fly away overnight. I kept on… I still don’t know what made me turn around and look again up into the tree that I had just walked by - and who did I see? This adorable creature that I will call Reggie’s cousin! A few years ago I spotted a raccoon in a hole in a tree in the cemetery by the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield. I remember going right home after I took my shots in order to pick up Lorraine and bring her back in the hopes she could see him too… and she did! Instantly she named him Reggie. She said - I don’t know why but that adorable little guy reminds me of Uncle Reg - her favorite uncle. So my friends - we will say that this adorable young raccoon in Lenox, MA is Reggie’s cousin…I was able to get 3 quick shots off before it went even further up into the tree top and out of my line of vision.
The shots of Reggie’s cousin were my best of that morning so I will now take you along on the next morning.. I decided to do the trail counterclockwise and to take an extra trail to extend my loop - again, same identical gorgeous weather and temps. I went past the raccoon tree from the day before and no luck spotting our friend again. I decided to hang out in that area since I felt it has some good potential for someone to wake up and greet the day near there. As the sun came up it just lit up these berries beautifully.
And then I heard the distinct sound of a Gray Catbird. As I was trying to track it down I kept getting blinded by the sun… and then I finally spotted the Catbird getting some breakfast! Is this a winterberry bush?
After the catbird flew away I walked further to my right so that I could get even closer to the marsh. In no time - I heard the very distinct chatter of multiple House Wrens… and something was really riling them up! So often they love to hide behind branches and leaves and hope around so fast that I have a hard time to getting a clean shot of them. But I scored! And honestly, I have never heard so many and they chattered non-stop!
I figured that there had to be something close by that was agitating them. I kept looking and looking but had no luck spotting the culprit. Once the wrens were out of my view, but still chattering and rattling, I decided to move along on the trail to an area where it opens up into a bigger part of the marsh. Just as I was walking to my right I saw something fly in a flash in front of me across the expanse of the marsh at that section, it landed in a tree. I made my way along the trail trying to get closer since it was so far away I had no idea what it was…. And then I got in a position to get these two shots… no wonder the House Wrens were so upset with this hawk in their midst! What a position this hawk was in…
I got closer…..
And finally I got much closer for my last two shots. If anyone knows what kind of hawk this is please let me know when you have a minute. All I know is that it was not a Red-tail hawk.
Thanks for coming along with me to Lenox - I know that I will return again.