Gallery – Wildlife

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Moose

I’m eating…

There are a number of moose that call the Quabbin home. A member of the deer family, they can grow to over 1,000 pounds and can stand over 6 feet at the shoulder. They are herbivores, eating 40 to 60 pounds of twigs, leaves and aquatic plants daily. During the summer they can be found standing in water, eating, which also helps them to keep cool and helps to reduce the number of insects flying around them. This image was taken at Baxter State Park in Maine from a kayak. It was an amazing experience, the moose really was not disturbed by our presence, it just went on eating.

Bobcat

There are a number of animals that call the Quabbin home, including bobcats

Bobcat in the Quabbin

The Quabbin is home to a number of bobcats which are the only wild cats in Massachusetts. They get their name from their short, “bobbed” tail and are mostly active at dawn or dusk, but can be seen during the day as well. This bobcat was just as surprised as I was when we encountered each other.

Waterfowl

The Quabbin is home to a number of waterfowl species, including Loons, Mergansers, Canadian Geese, Mallards and more!

Into the Morning Light

Greeting the Dawn

Loons were reintroduced to the Quabbin after being gone for nearly 100 years. It now hosts the majority of loons in the state with a number of nesting 20 pairs found there.

Eagles

There are a number of nesting bald eagles throughout the Quabbin Reservation. Trivia…their name “bald” comes from an the old English word “balde” which means white! You can learn more about them by clicking here.