6/29/17 Harbor Brook

Yesterday I drove to two spots and Kelley wouldn't get out of the car so I gave up. Several days of rain forecast so headed for one of her favorites to get one in today. A beautiful sunny morning with temps in low 70's. Few mosquitoes and maybe a couple of deer flies ( I din't actually see them). I think Kelley could smell the water and readily got out of the car.

And was soon in it

A colorful fungus

They have done a lot of work on this trail and this is one of two bridges they just finished - crew was still there when we passed

A tiny wildflower - about 1/2 inch across

Some of the new bog bridges

End of a huge old log

 and a tiny butterfly - about 1 inch

Kelley did very well on this pleasant one and a half hour hike. She was happy with all of the chances she had to get in the water

6/27/16 Stillwater River

Plan was to hike at Perch Pond but when I stopped the car it was immediately surrounded by deer flies so we didn't get out of the car. Headed for the section of Stillwater River across from DeMerrit Forest. No deer flies - we have had this experience before of swarms of deer flies at one spot and none just a few miles away.

The small cove as you approach the river

 and the river north and south

Looking for a way in

and in

A nice wild Iris

and a new ones to me

Bluettes

While I was taking flower pictures Kelley found another way into the river

First insects this year

We didn't go far, just explored along the shore but it was pleasant. Kelley was happy with the river and we were both happy with no bugs 

6/25/17 Little Long Pond

A nice day ( sunny and mid 70's)  after several of mixed sun, clouds, rain, and drizzle. Drove over because this is one of Kelley's favorite hikes.


Obligatory shot of the pond

and Kelley in it

A bit windy for flower pics but I got these blackberries

and a wild iris

This was more mud than water

but a chance to rinse off in Jordan Stream

We met people and dogs but Kelley wasn't as excited by this as usual. She did well, though on the slow side so it took us almost two hours.Still a nice outing.

6/18/17 Newman Hill- Hinds

Overcast. mid sixties, with a bit of wind. Once more with both dogs.

In the parking lot

first chance at water - the small pond

Finally got them in the same frame

Neither dog wanted to take our usual route so we took the snowshoe trail until that was closed to protect ground nesting birds and then a trail we had not been on before


There were lots of wild flowers .

The trail looped back to the small pond so Kelley got a second chance.

Yellow Crown Vetch

Near where we parked there were a lot of beautiful lupine  with bees working them

Both dogs did well and we got in almost an hours walk. An hour seemed enough for Cooper's short legs. 

6/17/17 Essex Woods

Gray rainy day after rain last night. I am dog sitting for a few days so Cooper went with us.


Cooper

There were lots of flowers but many were closed up - rain or just not open yet.?

Kelley following - she is a bit jealous of Cooper and they don't play.

Only Kelley likes the water

More flowers, buds,  and clover

Yesterday Kelley wouldn't get out of the car and Cooper walked a short way and turned back. Today they both did well and we got in almost an hour of walking without getting rained on.