The Cranberry Bog

In 2026

Our "Bog Walks" go down to a cranberry bog that we walk around and between. We don't take pictures of the walks very often, since the scenery doesn't change too much. Of course there is some changes throughout the year. The bog is lovely with a mantle of fresh white snow (early February, in this case). As you can tell, it was chilly. (Paul's toes suffered.)

Snow-covered cranberry bog with curving tracks in the snow, a small red shed, and woods beneath a blue sky with scattered clouds

Wide snowy cranberry bog with deep tracks curving across the foreground under a bright winter sky

Man in a black puffer jacket standing on a snowy path beside the cranberry bog, with a small red shed in the distance

Here we are in some warmer weather. It was still chilly in early May, so light jackets were helpful. You can tell it was windy that day because Anne has the hat chin strap down.

Selfie of two people in wide-brimmed hats with the cranberry bog and a small red shed behind them

Last year permanent bee hives were added. They started with 12 but lost 3 over the winter. This is actually a good ratio (25%); many spots loose half or more of their hives.

Rows of fenced wooden beehives on raised platforms beside the cranberry bog

We have some wildlife sightings on our walks, although we don't usually capture pictures (for example, that coyote that scampered off too quickly and the Great Blue Heron who always flies away). One day a calm deer allowed us to take a few pictures. The zoom feature on the phone camera helped.

Deer standing at the edge of a paved path in leafy green woods

Deer standing beside the path and looking toward the camera in a wet green woodland

Deer stepping across the paved path in the woods

We often see turtles, but they usually go under the water before we can take a picture. One type is the Eastern Painted Turtle.

Eastern painted turtle

Turtle on water lily leaves

Another type is the endangered Spotted Turtle. These pictures were taken about a week apart, and based on the spot pattern are probably 2 individuals (although we are looking at opposite sides of the carapace). Both times, the turtle was crossing the path going between water sources.

Spotted turtle on sandy ground, its dark shell marked with bright yellow spots

Spotted turtle in grass and sandy soil, shown from the side with yellow spots across its shell

Cell phone signals in the area will now be stronger. New cells have been added to the nearby cell tower.

Wide view of the green cranberry bog under dark cloudy skies, with a narrow water channel in the foreground and a cell tower in the distance

Zoomed view of a cell tower above the treeline with a crane lifting equipment beside it

It was raining on that particular day. Notice the man leaning off the side of the tower, below the new cells he is going to attach. That is a nerve-wracking position to be in, and when things get wet it must be even more difficult.

Worker leaning from a cell tower while a crane lifts equipment above houses and trees under a cloudy sky

Updated July 2026