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The New York DEC euthanized this nuisance bear yesterday per its black bear protocol. Sadly, this bear ultimately died because of its learned behavior caused by a small minority of people who failed to follow proper food security and storage procedures in a high-use backcountry area...

Eagle Eye Yesterday, while canoeing a small pond in north-central Massachusetts, I spotted a pair of bald eagles apparently building a nest in a large white pine tree near the water's edge, since I watched one of them fly off twice and return with branches. I was able to get a mediocre shot of...

Thanks, Al. It was one of those rare and awesome days when the chips fell into place while I had the camera with me. Thanks for sharing your observations on loon feeding. I was not certain that she actually consumed the brook trout. Once she had it in a headfirst position in her beak, she...

Yesterday, I portaged my canoe a short distance into a remote pond in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, in hopes of getting some loon pictures. I got lucky and then some. I found a loon and two good-sized chicks. While watching them from an ethical distance (using an...

Indigo Bunting, dragonflies, and a damsel fly that I spotted today along the Millers River in the Birch Hill Dam Wildlife Management Area in Royalston, MA.

Great trip report and photos, Al. Thanks for posting it.

Here are some photos I took of a hummingbird feeding in our flower garden today.

I believe this dragonfly is a Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa), a member of the skimmer family (Libellulidae). The picture was taken on June 24, 2026, near Harris Lake in Newcomb, NY.

Hi Glenn, I revisited Boreas Ponds on June 24th. Since I was last there in August 2025, the DEC has greatly improved the canoe access. There is now a wheelchair-accessible path from the access road down to the water at the base of the dam, so it is now possible to wheel a canoe on a cart all...

A newly emerged clubtail dragonfly (Gomphidae) that climbed onto my Duluth pack to fully expand, dry, and harden its wings on a recent Allagash River trip.

Hi Glenn: I am sorry for the delayed response, but I have been away. I agree with Brightraven that it is possible to drive a sedan to the Boreas Ponds Parking lot, particularly if one takes it carefully and slowly. I personally do not remember whether there are handicap-marked spots in the...

Brook trout caught in a pond in the Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont, with walk-in-only canoe access. It was safely released.

Yesterday, I took these photos of a pair of common mergansers perched on a log on the edge of a pond while paddling my canoe in north central Massachusetts. When I got inside their comfort zone, they jumped into the water and took flight, but only for a short distance. This fact, coupled with...

Hi Stripperguy, Sadly, canoes are not allowed on Quabbin Reservoir, which is unfortunate since it is a beautiful place.

On a recent exploration of a beaver pond in my canoe, I spotted this northern river otter spying on me from a log sticking out of a beaver lodge. It repeatedly snorted and grunted at me, broadcasting its displeasure at my intrusion into its space. These photos are no match for the outstanding...

Swift Cruiser 14.8 on my Subaru Outback Wilderness.

In my experience, in a scenario similar to what Glen described, six poles are needed to maximize the tarp's stability and water-shedding capacity when it is not possible to tie a ridge line to trees. I have the 6 ft adjustable tarp poles from REI and have had no issues setting up my tarp in a...

I am sorry to be a bit late to this thread, but I just came across it. My buddy and I did a full circumnavigation and exploration of the three lobes of the Boreas Ponds in the course of an afternoon during the third week of August last year. We parked in the Four Corners parking lot, which can...

Thank you, Aslowhand, for a fascinating, well-written, detailed trip report with so many outstanding photos. I appreciated it!

I got out for my first paddle of 2026 today on the ice-free tailwater of the Swift River below Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts. The bright sunshine, temperatures rising to almost 40 degrees, and calm winds made up for the miserable conditions I had when I last visited there for my last...