Head in the Clouds Amherst: Bobcat, coyote, and bear! Oh my!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Bobcat, coyote, and bear! Oh my!

Really big bobcat checking out pumpkin (aw, there's a nice kitty!)
Photo by Brendan Trainor, Western MA

And you thought the Land of Oz was frightening! These three photos, captured in the fall and winter by friend of Head in the Clouds Amherst, Brendan Trainor, bring you some of our area's most common (and usually elusive) carnivores. Okay, I confess, I'm taking artistic license there - the New England Black Bear is actually an omnivore.

Coyote in Snow - by Brendan Trainor

Regardless, you and your pets would do well to avoid all three.

And just in case you were wondering, I assure you that Brendan survived all three encounters just fine (including crossing paths with that very sizable bobcat). Thanks again for sharing, Brendan. In my opinion, this is the perfect vantage point!

Bear way too close - Photo by Brendan Trainor

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On Puffer's Pond

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 3:35 pm: The past two days have seen record-breaking cold in the area, with the temperature dipping to -14F overnight, Friday into Saturday. To make matters worse, the wind was unyielding, whipping through the trees and driving wind chill readings down to -40F. In a season that had been unusually mild up until that point, it was something of a shock. Local residents were suddenly forced to think about warming up their cars, preventing pipes from freezing, and dressing in multiple layers to walk their dogs. By Saturday, while many were happy to hunker down and wait for temperatures to stop breaking low records, this was the moment that ice fishers and skaters had been waiting for all winter. With temps hovering around 12F (albeit above zero) by Saturday afternoon, Puffer's Pond was the place to be for about 30 people, many of whom were spread out over the ice, either ice fishing or playing hockey. While this is a fairly typical sight at Puffer's in the coldest winter months, our current lack of snow made it unique. No one had to contend with snowpack - the skaters didn't even have to clear a "field" for their game. And with all the hiking paths snow and ice-free, photographers had no trouble capturing water flowing through, under, and around layers of ice on the water. And, still, at 12F, without hand and foot warmers, I did not linger long. The temps will be rising quickly in the coming week, climbing well above freezing, even to 50F in the days to come. So, I'm guessing the skaters and ice fishers also won't be here much longer.

(Read past entries here.)

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Bobcat, coyote, and bear! Oh my!

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