Slush Pond - Part 2

We'd stopped at Slush Pond, the dogs and I, to stretch our legs and enjoy the wild beauty. Here's a brief video of what we saw. Notice the White Throated Sparrow singing just as the camera pans over toward the car. They were singing all throughout the trees on that day:


Clover liked to be in the lead:

We hopped back into the car and I drove to another spot. I let the dogs out and they once again ran excitedly through the trees toward Slush Pond:

We walked out onto the floating peat bog again and little Madeline checked out the Bog Laurel/Pale Laurel:

Tamaracks had taken root in many places and would eventually help turn this bog into solid forest:

Madeline seemed to be awestruck by the beauty of it all:

And I spotted another large patch of Bog Laurel/Pale Laurel:

Daphne and Clover did what they do best - run full speed just for the fun of it:

I got them all back into the car once again and decided to try one more access point:

So again we stopped and walked out onto the peat bog, this one seeming to have more solid footing:

This flowering bush was about five feet tall and magnificent. But I cannot identify it. Anyone know what it was?:

Seamus found a spot to access the water though the other dogs weren't interested:

Of course I was taking too long and really should have gotten back on the road more quickly. But I took one last photo of Slush Pond and some water lilies before I called the dogs back to the car so we could resume our journey:

Slush Pond - Part 1

I was between Albany and the farm on moving day and decided to make a quick rest stop at Slush Pond, a new favorite place. So I pulled off the road onto an unmarked lane and about 3 miles into the forest. Then I parked and let the pooches out to play:

They all ran full speed through the trees and out onto the floating peat bog:

The peat bog bounced beneath us with each step:

And it was very beautiful:

Clover, ever the little adventurer, went ahead to check for whatever it is dogs check for. I'd seen a loon in the water when we pulled up, but it'd disappeared the moment I opened the car door:

Ack! Seamus walked too close to the edge and broke through the peat. I took his picture first and then helped him back up. On the way back, Daphne fell in at that same spot:

There were several carnivorous Pitcher Plants, though I was disappointed that none of them were blooming:

My noble Seamus, the giant Poodle:

We all enjoyed the fresh air, the birds singing and the glorious scenery:

And glorious it was indeed, with Tamaracks framing the view:

We walked back toward the forest:

But I stopped first at this mass of color. I was sure it was Sheep Laurel, but a quick look at my field guide informed me that it was actually Pale Laurel. I often use the alternate name of Bog Laurel, though, because it was not pale by any means. But there was more to see at Slush Pond and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: