Atop Castle Rock

Today, Ruby and I did something very different. I drove up to Breakheart Reservation in Saugus. I’m not very familiar with the park but it seemed a promising place to take a hike with a rambunctious ten month old Westie. I decided to hike the Ridge Trail because it offered some nice hill views. I had my hiking staff, some water and the dog. It was amazing how quickly that I left behind black top and was in forest that was straight out of the Appalachian Trail. There was no road noise, no airplane traffic and hardly any trail. There were painted blaze marks but the trail itself was scarcely ten inches wide. The autumn foliage is starting and the wind was invigorating. Then we started stumbling over the rocky trail. Actually, Ruby had no trouble. It was me and the little hike proved to be quite strenuous. We went up and down a few slopes and then finally up Castle Rock where we has some spectacular views.

Boston Harbor from Castle Rock

Boston Harbor from Castle Rock

It was a bit of a shock to see the harbor from this vantage. I am so used to the beaches and water at eye level.

Boston Skyline from Castle Rock

Boston Skyline from Castle Rock

This view was interesting. It’s the first view that I have had of the city from the north. It’s not uncommon to see it from the west from the Turnpike or Route 2. This is part of the ring of hills that surround Boston Basin.

We didn’t see many birds except for Blue Jays. There was one bird unseen that was making a call like that of lever operated bicycle bell (the little kid favorite). There was quite a variety of mushrooms to be seen. When we got backed on the paved paths, it’s apparent that lots of people and their dogs enjoy Breakheart.

So we had a great little hike and enjoyed the Octoberness of it all.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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September 22 – Dawn Patrol with Ruby

Sorry no photos this time, just a story. Early this morning while walking the dog at sunrise, I looked up and saw some egrets and while waiting for Ruby to sniff around, I idly began counting egrets. They came by in clumps and singly and they kept passing overhead. I was seeing numbers that I have never seen before this late in September. The final count was 51 Snowy Egrets, 38 Great Egrets and 1 Great Blue Heron. All while noodling down Bennington St. by Belle Isle Park with a West Highland Terrier bent on finding inedible delights to sample and get sick on. The sun had barely risen and the sky was momentarily filled with egrets. An especially fine way to start the day.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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September 19 – Heron Count at Belle Isle Marsh

Watching the herons and egrets at dawn is breathtaking. The morning quiet is broken by a soft whish of wings and suddenly there are these huge beautiful birds. So Sunday morning, I was up early for the heron count.

Sunrise at Belle Isle Marsh

Sunrise at Belle Isle Marsh - Sept 19, 2010

I went to watch from the Overlook. The last several mornings, the egrets all congregated at the Overlook panne and so I expected to find them there. The pool was nearly deserted. Only a single Great Blue Heron was in view.

Great Blue Heron at Dawn

Great Blue Heron at Dawn

I started waiting and then the egrets started to arrive. Only they were landing over in the Key, which is a half mile off in the Revere section of the Belle Isle. There weren’t any close looks but still it is incredible see a flock of these large birds wheel overhead. The egrets finally stopped coming in and so I elected to walk over to the Boardwalk to see what I could see. Half way there, a large bird popped up out of the reeds and circled twice before sinking down into one the hidden pools. It was an American Bittern. Not a rare bird but a very, very cool and uncommon bird at Belle Isle.

American Bittern

American Bittern at Belle Isle Marsh - 19 Sep 2010

It was a terrific surprise. At the Boardwalk, a crew of birders showed up for the count. I enjoy these groups a lot. I have a lot to learn and  the birders whom I respect enormously, are very gracious in sharing their experience. I am not very good at identifying birds and appreciate the chance to learn. They all are very good at seeing things that I miss. For example, a Kingfisher.

Kingfisher at Belle Isle Marsh

Kingfisher at Belle Isle Marsh - 19 Sept 2010

Kingfishers hover over a pool and dive down to snare fish with their beaks. They look like stubby Blue Jays but act like Osprey. Another delight to see. At some point, my innards demanded feeding so I left for breakfast at home. The morning sun caught some goldenrod in full golden bloom

Goldenrod at Belle Isle Marsh

By the entrance to the park a very bold House Finch let me approach very close.

House Finch at Belle Isle Marsh - 19 Sept 2010

It was a great morning at Belle Isle.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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A new look!

Jorge

the author himself

Welcome to OrientSee, the new edition. After three and a half years, the old blog was having problems. This is the new (Sept. 2010) edition. I’m not planning to change a great deal. So come visit again.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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