I've Had My Fill Filley Park, Bloomfield April 2015 & August 2019 2019 Update at bottom! People probably incorrectly think there aren’t good areas to hike within the town of Bloomfield. They often don’t realize that a good chunk of the Metacomet Ridge is within the town’s western border. And yet, today, I’m … [Read more...]
Holcombe Preserve
"Holcombe I Can't Keep Him?" Holcombe Preserve, Granby May 2018 As of this writing, there are four signature trailed properties of the Granby Land Trust. Sure, they have a bunch of other parcels, some even trailed - and one containing the state's coolest tree. But the land trust focuses on their true gems. … [Read more...]
Fisher Meadows
Dead Fisher Fisher Meadows, Avon May 8 & 21, 2016 I have no idea why we started hiking the trails of Avon in early 2016, but we did. I used the hikes as sort of a filler on those weekends when we didn’t have time to do a “real” hike or to go on another adventure. "We only have a couple hours? Fine, lets go over … [Read more...]
Helen’s Way
What? Heroin Hookery? Helen's Way and the Great Blue Heron Rookery November 3, 2013 I went to see longtime online friend and Courant writer Peter Marteka give a presentation at the Simsbury Library all about “Hidden Hikes in Connecticut.” Easily one of my favorite topics in the world and the talk did not … [Read more...]
Bobcats Kittens
The Best Bobcat Kittens, Windsor I've worked where I work for a few years now and have had the pleasure of seeing our mama bobcat a few times in the woods behind our parking lot. She's beautiful and regal and has let me approach within 10 feet of her. I love her. Someone else apparently loves her too, … [Read more...]
Shepaug Dam Bald Eagles
Dam! That's a Bald Eagle! Shepaug Dam Bald Eagle Observatory January 14, 2012 Hot dam! Who doesn't love seeing bald eagles? 1. People in Alaska where they've become a bit of a nuisance. 2. "Hot dam" makes no sense, because January 14, 2012 was single-digit cold with a biting and constant wind. After … [Read more...]
Ring-Necked Pheasant
A Right Pleasant Pheasant Windsor Multiple Sightings Okay, so a ring-necked pheasant isn’t the most exciting thing to see. But to be able to walk right up to one is pretty darn cool. They really are beautiful birds. Interesting pheasant note: I take a walk whenever I can during lunch at work. I work next to … [Read more...]
Bears! In the Wild
This page has become sort of ridiculous, now that we have bears in our yard and neighborhood fairly frequently. But hey, it’s still different when I see them out on a hike, right? Right. Suffield Land Conservancy (SLC): Sydney F. Fuller Wildlife Preserve November 2017 I came across a mom and her two cubs... … [Read more...]
Ominous Turkey Vultures
Nothing to See Here, Carrion... West Hartford Just a couple pictures of the house across the street from mine. Our neighbor is not the youngest of widows, so when I happened to see a whole bunch of turkey vultures roosting on her roof (with many more in the trees next to the house), it was hard for my fears to not … [Read more...]
Wild Guinea Fowl!
I Cry Fowl! Colebrook Spotted on a back road in Colebrook, in the middle of the road. Not a care in the world with their flashy, dashing herringbone plumage, these guinea fowl acted like they owned the town. And since this was Colebrook, they very well may have. *I know they weren't "wild." CTMQ’s … [Read more...]