Stillwater complex near Groton

Drove about an hour north on I-91 to Orange County where a cluster of state parks line up along a string of lakes. Been seeing bird posts from the area and our Ranger Lisa used to be head honcho at Stillwater and had told us wonderful things. As summer employees we have free access to all state parks, makes it nice.

First stop was Ricker Pond SP, a smaller park with several sights right on the water and a tiny swim beach. My first breeding plumage loon and she had a chick swimming with her.

A New Hampshire couple was swimming; when I asked about the water temp, her reply was pretty warm for a New England lake.

Picked up a Veery for the VT list... Alvin was replacing bulb in left tail light for the blinker, he missed it and my camera was in the jeep. She was out in the open hungrily harvesting insects for a hungry brood, barely needed binos  to see.

A new butterfly, Northern Crescent, I think...

 




Next stop was Stillwater SP... usual suspects calling from the deep dark woods, Ovenbird, Woodthrush hidden but loud with Robin and Chipping Sparrow visible and also loud.

Butterfly heaven along the sandy beach at the boat launch area... Eastern tiger Swallowtail and White Admiral that I've been chasing around our park waiting for one to light long enough for a photo were slurping up whatever was tasty in the damp sand. Ranger Lisa said the current theory was kids peeing in the beach was the attraction.

I walked all around them and couldn't chase them away. This guy has had a rough life, just enough hind wing for the orange and blue to show up.

Two more Loon on Groton Lake at Stillwater, but too far away for a photo, plus they kept diving out of sight.

Lunch in a tiny little spot in Marshfield, Rainbow Sweets,  featuring only 6 entrees on the entire menu. Nothing fried, sauteed, or grilled. A Moroccan chicken, Argentine empanada, Greek Spanakopita, Brioche, B'stilla, and a full pastry case laden with baklava, tortes, and napoleons. His specialty dessert is  a Johnny Depp, two profiteroles filled with custard glazed with caramel and served with whipped cream. Yummo!!!! Bill, the owner is quite quirky describing his creations to every customer as if he was vying for an Oscar.

Back to the parks, New Discovery SP, the northern most of the string and the least busy. A long quiet drive down to Osmore Pond found us totally alone. The water was clear and filled with giant tadpoles...

Not sure I would want to swim with them... 

A mossy stump hosted a clump of White Admiral b'flies... don't know what was so tasty, but they were loving it!

This swallowtail offered a nice surprise when I enlarged the photo on the computer

No blue and orange on the under edge of the hind wing make him a Canadian Swallowtail!

This Atlantis Fritillary was a special find, too. 

Amazing what the camera reveals, thank goodness for digital!

 New Dragon for the list, too. Chalk-fronted Corporal...

I had no clue until I checked my pictures. 

Started to Owl's Head Mountain, for a spectacular aerial view of the entire valley. About a quarter of a mile from the parking area, up a fairly steep trail with several sets of steps carved by the CCC in the 1930's... looking for the observation tower

When a too close loud clap of thunder sent me skittering back to the jeep.

The rain started before we reached the highway and was a torrential downpour by the time we reached Groton,  6 miles away.

A handy gas station just before I-91 offered a canopy covered gas pump and a respite from the vertical flood.

Light rain followed us almost all the way and we arrived home just before the storm to put in the awning and batten down the hatches.