Most of the gates around the Quabbin Reservoir are old roads, many of which end at the water. Gate 16 is the extension of Prescott Road which at one time led to the now former town of Prescott, home to the Prescott Peninsula where eagles were hacked and reintroduced to the reservoir. That effort established a new population of Bald Eagles where the numbers had pretty much got down to zero due to the use of DDT. The program started in 1982 and has been a great success as the sight of eagles year round over and on the Quabbin is very popular for visitors and an excellent asset for the environment. If you wish to learn about it, here is a link to a page with the story. Although I have seen several I’ve not been able to photograph one of these majestic birds. Someday!
Gate 16 is another of my favorite hikes. One day in 2017 I walked to the end just as the sun was cresting the treeline to the east and made a few exposures of this island.
Most likely this is the result of some sand and rocks left behind during the reservoir’s construction. As almost always, I was the only one there and enjoyed the peace and solitude along with the sound of lapping water…made less evident by a long exposure.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
As the hornet nest the other day struck me as an oyster shell, a casual glance at the little promontory in today’s picture suggests a seashell of some sort.
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All the waves wear at the edge of this little island sculpting that clam shell appearance.
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I like the other-worldly look of this photo, Steve.
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Thanks, Peter.
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Love the colours on that island! GReat find!
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Thank you, Sharon.
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What a magnificent program they’ve been running at Quabbin Reservoir. Thanks for the link, Steve, I read every word. We are so lucky in our country that folks in the 1970s and 1980s recognized the disastrous effects of DDT on our national bird (and other birds) before it was too late. The recovery program at Quabbin is impressive and how exciting for its success. And I am sure one day you will get that bald eagle photo. Until then, how lovely to be there enjoying the scenery and snapping excellent photos like this one.
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We can thank Rachel Carson for opening the eyes of s many that work was begun to undo the damage of DDT and other pesticides. Still too many are used and we often read of some new discovery of a malady or even cause of death from them. Other raptors such as hawks and owls still are threatened by the use of rodenticides.
One day I am sure I will get some shots, Jet. Thanks and I am pleased you enjoyed seeing this little part of the reservoir.
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That looks so amazingly peaceful – rather the opposite of what we have here today! The blues of sky and it’s reflection in the water are glorious.
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It was and likely still is, Ann. Although on many occasions during fishing season there can be others there I most often am the lone human. Thanks!
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Looks like a lovely, peaceful spot and that’s wonderful that the eagles are back.
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It’s been called “The Accidental Wilderness” which isn’t quite accurate as it is managed quite a bit. Trees are thinned to allow for greater runoff into the reservoir. But there is ample wildlife. Besides the eagles, there are loons, various hawks, turkeys, and many species of ducks. Moose, deer (there is a short hunting season in December), bears, and lots of smaller mammals like raccoons, mink, weasels, foxes, coyotes, etc. Four towns were disenfranchised, causing homes to be destroyed, some moved, businesses closed, and cemeteries moved, to create the watershed, by damming several rivers and many brooks,so Boston and its surrounding communities had more water..
So after all that information, it is a lovely spot and there are many similar around the shoreline. Many people visit for hiking and fishing is allowed in the northern part.
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It sounds wonderful, so much wildlife, you are very lucky indeed to have this nearby even if it came about in such upheaval for the humans (and it’s usually the other way around). We have a protected forest near us but wildlife is limited due to all the busy roads dissecting it. Well at least there are trees.
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What a lovely spot. The island’s striations remind me of a clamshell. I read the linked article, and a couple others, but I still haven’t been able to figure out how the word ‘hack’ got applied to the process. I even went to a couple of etymology sites and couldn’t find a clue. Do you know? I found hack box, hacking, hackers, and the history of all that, but no explanation of the word.
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It’s term used in falconry borrowed for eagle restoration. Here’s what I found…“Historically the term “hacking” was first used during the Elizabethan era by falconers, who would place young falcons into a type of wagon called a hack wagon. The falconers would feed the falcons daily, and after the flight feathers developed, the young falcons would be allowed to come and go freely. Once the young birds were able to capture prey on their own, they were trapped and trained for falconry. This is basically the same hacking method used by many falconers today. It is thought that when young falcons or hawks are allowed to fly freely, their muscle strength, and flying and hunting skills are better developed. It is also believed their mental conditioning may be better due to their receiving a greater number of stimuli and experiences during their free time. Due to these reasons, when hacked falcons are ready to be trapped and trained for falconry, they are fit, strong, and confident in their own abilities.” The quote is linked to an article from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Reading a bit more on the web I found that at one time there were wagons called “kid hacks” and possibly those wagons gave the term to our modern taxis.
Steve also saw a shell and I see a clam shell like you do. The whole of the reservoir shoreline is host to many spots like this.
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I really like this one. 👏👏👏
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Thanks, Ted.
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The texture and colors of the ground of the island are quite pleasing.
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Thanks, Alessandra. It was very nice light which illuminated the island beautifully.
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Upon first reading, I thought you might have meant “hatched,” but I see that a familiar word now has an expanded meaning, and thanks for that. Such a lovely spot; it looks enchanted and, if the lake had been a lot older, I’d have expected the little island to have been a special place very dear to the indigenous people. Perhaps it is, after all, as you attest.
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They do hatch in the hack so they are connected. Sadly, it most likely as a special place to the people who lived there and had to move for the flooding of the reservoir. It has become a special place in other ways. The name comes from a chief of the Nipmuc Tribe and means many waters which is exactly what created the reservoir…many brooks and a few small rivers.
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Beautiful image Steve! Enjoyed seeing it!
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Thanks, Reed!
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A very peaceful-looking place and wonderful news that the eagle program is working so well.
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It is great considering that they were pretty much nonexistent prior. A few strays occasionally but now we have a permanent population.
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It’s good to think about the positive changes that have happened since we were kids, to balance out the negative ones.
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Beautiful light on that little perfect island! I like how the clouds act like leading lines, pointing inward to the island.
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I can’t claim the clouds but can claim enhancing them. Thanks, digital darkroom. 🙂 There are a few little islands and sandbars scattered along the shorelines of the reservoir. Beautiful little leftovers.
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What an amazing photo, Steve. The scene looks incredibly serene.
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It was serene and quiet. Often I am the only one in a location as was the case on this day. Thanks, Tanja!
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Good for you, Steve, for having the place to yourself. I love that sense of being the only human in a beautiful natural space.
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Love both the layers of clouds and strata in this shot!
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Thank you, Allison! I was lucky to walk this road on that day. And lucky nobody was there fishing.
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What a fantastic location to have to yourself. I envy you that. Beautiful photograph, with those nice rings of color. And glad to hear you can see eagles year round. That’s something I love about this area, as well. Photographing them, well that’s another matter entirely. I have done it but usually they notice me and fly away just before I notice them and I’m not fast enough to catch anything more than a sight of some tail feathers in the distance. 🙂
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I’ve only had two chances to photograph an eagle and in both cases was not fast enough, having to pull over and get the camera set up. In neither case was it at the reservoir. I have seen them flying at a distance and that is treat enough.
Thanks, Todd. I am fortunate to have a few nice locations where I can most often be the only one there, especially since I am out early.
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