Skywatch Friday: Morning Fog at Willoughby Gap

North Beach, Willoughby Lake, Westmore, Vermont

There has been heavy fog in the mornings this week because of cold nights and warm waters. Willoughby Lake is six miles from my house, and I drive by twice a day on school days. This morning, the fog was lifting by the time I got to the lake, but it was so heavy at my house I felt like I should stay home. 

Mountains: 

Haystack Mountain: the smallest peak on the left, the little lump.

Mt. Pisgah: the one on the left next to the lake. The mountain between them? I can't remember it's name!

Mr. Hor is on the right of the lake but is invisible.

The mountains and lake form Willoughby Gap and can be seen from many areas of the state for miles around. For me, it's like a beacon home.

Click to view more skies

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Andrew, Dan and Matt Hike Mt. Pisgah

My son Andrew and Dan, both of Washington, DC, visited us and Matt joined them for a hike up Mt. Pisgah on Willoughby Lake on July 10. These are the only photos of Andrew and Dan from the visit. Matt took the photos, so you won't see him here. Dan wears the hat and the light shirt. Andrew wears the darker shirt.

A view of Mt. Hor on the other side of Willoughby as seen from Rt. 5A.

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Peregrine Falcon on Barton Mountain

original photo

On Friday, June 29, I saw a small bird chasing a large bird on the mountain. This happens daily. The small nesting blackbirds don't like any of the huge birds around their nesting areas. But the big birds, usually crows, ravens or red-tailed hawks, will run in front of the little birds.

enlarged

This bird had no anxiety about the little bird and continued hunting. I immediately e-mailed four people to identify this photograph and received this reply today from Chris Rimmer from the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS):

another view

I'm quite sure this is an adult Peregrine Falcon, which have been nesting annually on the Pisgah cliffs since 1981. They are very territorial and regularly chase "invaders" like red-tails, vultures, and ravens.

Nice photo, thanks!

Chris

Thank you, Chris! I'm thrilled to now be able to say I have seen my first falcon! The Pisgah cliffs on Lake Willoughby are 3 - 5 miles to the east.

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Think It's Spring?

Clicking on photos will open their Flickr page in a new window.

Think again!
After taking the photo of the fishing shacks, I turned 90° to take
this photo of the lake from which they were removed!

This is Willoughby Lake with the Willoughby Gap. Mount Hor is on the right and Mount Pisgah is on the left. I have climbed both. :=)

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