Monday, August 8, 2011

August Is Prime Time For Helen Carlson Bog

I make frequent trips to The Helen Carlson Sanctuary throughout the year but the bog is teeming with life in August.
There is an excellent metal viewing platform which provides great views of the surrounding area. Butterflies like this Silver-spotted Skipper land on the plants and flowers near the edge of the platform-( click on butterfly photo for more detail ).
I caught  this Muscovy-type Duck hanging out on the lower deck. I believe it might be someone's pet duck but this one seems to prefer spending at the bog. From what I've read, they eat lots of mosquitoes. Strange thing is, I rarely have a mosquito land on me while I'm sitting on the viewing platform.
  The Green Herons are really active there this time of year. They can often be heard communicating with each other and with a little patience, you can usually get a good view of one. There are a fair amount of birds to be seen or heard at the bog. I counted 35 species seen or heard during my last visit. My favorite sightings were of a Scarlet Tanager along the wooded edge, an Osprey flyover and watching an Eastern Kingbird eat a dragonfly. The kingbird was trying to swallow the dragonfly for several minutes until it was chased away by an envious Eastern Phoebe.
There is plenty to see and hear at the Helen Carlson Sanctuary if you are patient. I bring my camera binoculars, spotting scope and kick back in a chair waiting for nature to reveal itself to me. It's a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours on a lazy summer day.


If  you're planning a visit to this bog: Bring waterproof boots (path to platform tends to flood)  and a scope if  you have one-(great spot to scan distant trees for bird). The direction of  the sunlight  is best in the late afternoon but early morning is okay too.

11 comments:

Dawn Fine said...

Looks like a great place to spend the day. I like boggy places. Ribbit!

troutbirder said...

Thanks for stopping by, Larry. I'm envious of the bog. In the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes we're the only county without a lake or any bogs either. Some old iron min pits filled with water. Thats about it. Birding is slow but I and my GSD keep going out and about. :)

Kathie Brown said...

It looks like a great place to me, Larry. Where is it located? I may be down in CT next week and I just might want to visit!

Kathie Brown said...

Okay, I quit being lazy and clicked on the link. NOW I see where it is! Not very far from Colchester, is it!

Larry said...

dawn-It's a good spot for an hour or 2-You can speak frog language?

troutbirder-I guess you just make the most of what you've got. Connecticut may not be the best state for birding but it has a nice mix of habitat.

Kathiebirds-If you do visit-wear waterproof boots-best to visit late afternoon-lighting reflects off state forest treeline for good viewing-and bring a scope.-

Naturegirl said...

Love the images! Right down my alley! I saw a Muscovy duck for the first time in Germany a few years ago and did not know what it was at the time!See you again!

Larry said...

Naturegirl-thanks-This duck was funny because it was standing on the deck like it owned the place the last couple of times I was there.

Ruth said...

It has been so hot, humid and mosquito-y here in the past month that I have avoided trails and swamps. But the seasons are starting to change. You motivate me to take a look.

Cindy said...

Looks like a great place to see a variety of natures's treasures. Great pictures, Larry.

Larry said...

Ruth-I sometimes think that God must have been in a bad mood when he created mosquitoes.

Cindy-thanks-it's a nice little spot for sure.

chris said...

Well looks like it is a nice place to visit to get close to nature... Wonderful pictures Larry!