Over the last several weeks I’ve made a few visits to Dewey’s Pond in Quechee, Vermont. I went to create images for various landscape and wildlife photo workshops, and out of my joy of trail running and exploring. Dewey’s Pond is a popular spot for fishing, nature walks, birding, boating, and to simply enjoy an idyllic setting of Vermont’s green hills, lily pads, and wildflowers.

Most of my visits were made at dawn, with the exception of one evening visit to photograph the stars. The peepers were deafening, and I swear the number of eyes staring back at me doubled each time I turned on my headlamp.

In the morning the fog rolls off the pond and encircles flocks of Canada geese and ducks. One time I saw a large creche of goslings, and scored a hiss from mother goose.

The trail winds down a slip of land that crosses between the pond and the Ottauquechee River and ultimately leads to the bottom of Quechee Gorge. It makes for a short trail run, perhaps under a mile and a half. I have failed to run it more than once, as the trail along the pond is so pretty and full of birds, I can’t tear myself away.

Speaking of birds, I’ve seen all of the following and more at Dewey’s Pond.

  • Canada Geese
  • Red-Winged Blackbird
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Cedar and Bohemian waxwing
  • Tree Swallow
  • Wood Duck
  • Hooded Merganser
  • Common Grackle
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Song Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove

An expansive list of bird sightings can be found on eBird.

The trail is arched with trees and water on both sides. It’s very easy to see the birds and be close to them. The robins bounce underfoot searching for worms, while sparrows and finches dart across the trail while trodding along the path. There are several smaller trails that lead to the water’s edge on both sides. Bird species change farther down the trail. Swallows, ducks, geese, and blackbirds are more numerous in the open area ahead of the dam. The bright sun rising over the pond is a queue to focus on the banks of the river which is shielded from the haze, making for better photo ops. There is often a merganser or wood duck swimming along when I turn my attention there.

4 Comments

  1. Richard Neugass

    Love your sense of design and color! Yes

  2. Douglas Shane

    Lovely work! (And a very nice Website.)

    • courtneycania

      Thanks for your kind words, Douglas!