Cold Cochituate

Feb 24

Making it through the winter so far so good. Lake Cochituate has been frequent stop on my route especially when I have the camera. Located in both Natick and Wayland, Mass, Cochituate (co-chi-chu-at) is a group of three linked ponds, each with their own connector ponds. North Pond, Middle Pond and South Pond make up the lake, covering a total of 625 acres of land offering a small, but decent wildlife habitat. Not a completely natural body of water, around 1848 Lake Cochituate Dam was constructed to facilitate a water supply for Boston. Jamaica Pond, the previous reservoir was replaced by Cochituate, the first major water reservoir made for the city of Boston, this includes the 14mi (23km) Cochituate Aqueduct. It served as the water supply for Boston until 1951 when by that time Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs had surpassed the usefulness and efficiency of Cochituate. The lake is a nice place to sail a sunfish, kayak or paddleboat in summer, fishing is great too and there’s even some cool spots to dive with big bass to boot.

Over the winter one day when I stopped by I noticed a large gathering of gulls, some terns and some ducks. Ducks always seem to look like the common species I have hundreds of photos of already until they’re flying away, then I see colors and patterns of ducks I’ve been yearning to see. Ive been learning to take a more precise look whenever I see a gathering of ducks now and noticing how many different species mix in and mingle together. These Common Goldeneye ducks seem to be keen on this lake, I don’t know where they’re common, because I don’t remember having ever seen them until now but they sure are striking to look at when you do see them. I think birdwatching comes with age, and I’m watching the time fly by.

-Greg