Wildthings by Kayak

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Wildthings by Kayak

Native Flora & Fauna as seen from the kayak in Up-State NY. Avid Kayaker, (all seasons),
amateur Photographer
and admirer of Native Flora & Fauna

01/09/2026

Yesterdays dark foggy sunrise paddle on Round Lake (in Malta) and the Anthonykill Nature Preserve.
I was thinking for awhile that this may not have been a good idea.
Seemed like rain was a pretty good possibility.
But the water was smooth as silk, (Almost never happens on Round Lake), and I had the place to myself.
Two very good reasons to stay and see how the day evolves!😄
Turned out, I loved the soft lighting and the effect on the photos.
And... without all the boat/people traffic spooking the wildlife...
there were a LOT of birds hanging out foraging for breakfast.
GB Herons & Green Herons all over the place.
And I even saw the Common Gallinules AND A Peregrine Falcon!
Great day to meander around the waterways with a camera. 😍

24/08/2026

*The first 3 pics are of the Tomhannock Reservoir.
Made a quick stop to shoot sunrise.

Headed on to Saratoga to the Lake Lonely Marina.
LOTS of Green Herons!
(Up until today I think I've only seen one.)

Fall color is beginning here.
Lots of reds from the Red Twig Dogwood foliage and Swamp Maples are just starting to turn.

I was glad I dig the shoreline of Lake Lonely first...before heading down the connector stream towards the Kaydeross.
Such a gorgeous little stream with lots of wildflowers and wildlife.
Unfortunately...when I was almost at the end of the connector stream and was just about to pop out on to the Kaydeross...I turned the corner...and a monster blowdown appeared.
(If anyone decides to do this paddle...you can not currently get to Saratoga Lake from Lake Lonely. There is some serious work that needs to be done to clear out the blockage.)

Short day...but the camera was full and turning back wasn't so bad.
I thoroughly enjoyed a much needed break. 😊

11/08/2026

Yesterday's early morning paddle.
(Silly me forgot about the shortening days.
I was there a bit before 5am and had to sit in the parking lot for about 1/2 hour until it was light enough to see the path down the steep bank to launch.)
LOTS of Great Egrets & GB Heron out & about.
Many cool new mushrooms on the wooded banks since last week.
Summer wildflowers are starting to put on a good show.
But the highlight of my day was definitely my little Snapping Turtle friend.
Those of you that have been following me for awhile know that I have forming this odd relationship with 2 young Snapping Turtles here.
I swear I have never fed them or encouraged their behavior in any way.
But all year these 2 have been racing over to my boat every time they see me.
It's similar to the way you dog acts when you come home.
They'll just be way out in the middle of the backwater...and slowly plodding around.
All of a sudden, their neck stretches out and the head lifts and they look straight at me and start boogying towards my boat.
Always approaching my boat from my right side first...we make direct eye contact for several minutes...it swims under my boat...staring again for a while and then it turns around and heads back to where it was when I first arrived.
I just get such a kick out of it!
And it definitely lends itself to some mighty fine photo ops. 😁

05/08/2026

Tuesday's Sunrise Paddle in dense fog.
(My favorite!)
I'd actually overslept by about an hour...but didn't really matter, as the fog was so thick...there were no colors to be had.
I was thrilled to see the Great Snowy Egrets!
They are about 1 month late in their arrival,
and I thought they may not show up at all this year.
I saw 4! 🥳
Eagles were keeping a low profile and there weren't many Moms out & about with their spotties,
but I found myself doing a lot of experimenting with mundane subjects and getting a bit "artsy" with the shots.
Think I'll be doing a lot more of this, as it was a great learning experience and SO much fun! (Bubbles & weeds)

22/07/2026

This week's sunrise paddle.
After being sick almost the entire week last week...and not being able to get out,
It was an especially delightful morning, to be able to take in all that wonderful cool crisp air and scenery.

11/07/2026

Thursday's 5am paddle.
None of that glorious, moody fog,
but constant entertainment from turtles, eagles & GB Herons.
I feel so fortunate to be able to watch these young eaglets grow up every year and watch them interact and change with age.
The up close & personal interactions with the Snapping Turtles has also given me such a new perspective. They really are the most interesting, curious, gentle creatures (And great fun to photograph!)

30/06/2026

*Warning* Big photo & video dump. 😆
(I am dangerous when left alone on the water for 8 hours with a camera.)

Incredible day with many wildlife encounters...and stories to tell.
Without a doubt...so worth getting out of bed at 4am to hit the river before sunrise!

26/06/2026

Wed's foggy Sunrise Paddle.
On the water by 4:55am and thrilled to find such thick glorious fog.
Decided to do some experimenting with light & settings...so there are quite a few marsh pics as the sun was rising up on the horizon.
Most fun I've had with the camera yet!

18/06/2026

It's always a treat when I arrive at launch to find thick moody fog on the water.
Launched before 5am so that I could get to the best view spot for sunrise, (Backwater #1)
First part of the morning was spent focusing on the dreamy landscape.
AS soon as the sun was up...wildlife came up & was all over the place!
3 of the Bald Eagle nests had only 1 eaglet in the nest (or nearby).
The siblings were out & about learning their skills.
I did unintentionally foil an adult eagle's attempt at a duck breakfast...but since she had little ones with her...I was happy for the save.
Deer families were also all over the place.
Saw a new group every 1/4 mile.
And a raccoon kept me entertained for nearly an hour as I followed it along the water's edge. It was so busy foraging, it never ever noticed me.
Best day of the week is always spent on the water. :-)

11/06/2026

This week's day off.
Headed to Saratoga to launch at the Lake Lonely Marina.
Usually do a quick spin around Lk Loney (Left Bank) to see what shorebirds might be hanging out...then spin back around & head downstream to the Kaydeross.
There were a LOT of blowdowns across the stream...but nothing you couldn't wiggle through, without exiting the boat.
SO many Bald Eagles! Lots of subadults and 1 yr olds.
Green Herons are back...and quite a few Canada Geese families.
Flowers starting to add color to the landscape. (Both native & non-native).
Summer is definitely here!

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