Archive for month: February, 2015

With unmerciful blasting winds and drifts upon drifts of snow unfurled over the Island, we birds of a feather flock together; but for some it’s been a real struggle.

Island Canada Geese so accustomed to strolling and grazing freely on manicured golf courses- I just don’t think this homegrown species migrates much anymore.

So these days it seems everyone has a goose story.

Islanders reporting these waterfowl trapped frozen in coves and flocks hunkering together scavenging for the last blades of grass.  Geese hungry, disoriented and weak and often dead are observations I started to witness. I stumbled upon (literally) the birds while monitoring South Beach. And while Mother Nature can appear harsh, I often help out when I can do so safely. Like the other evening when nearly frozen, a goose “dropped” by my neck of the woods. I wrapped it up and brought it in from the cold, put it in a basket and placed a space heater nearby. Remembering a few wildlife rehabilitation steps to take I steamed up some spinach and gently fed “O Canada”. The goose very quickly defrosted, hisssssssssed  “thanks”  and was promptly  shown the door!

This morning Karl & Lisa Eirikssen met me up East where they distributed a truck load of corn. A bit of comfort out in the cold.

 

 

 

Oh Time! thou art within.

 With deep heart I will adore you.

With deep breath I will spend you.

 Unwavering

 

Time, not diurnal, yet eternal -even my night in starry shining armour.

 Be my island        Time.

 On waves, into the sunsets we will ride           together.

 Every

 single

time and time again….

My Valiantime

I was fishtailing my way through deep slush encased in sheer ice alongside the runway this early morning- thinking low tide always is a “good read” to share at Race point.  But as the slippery trek out quickly began to become a story on its own I turned back, heading home- to my neck of the woods. Maybe wait for an afternoon thaw.

I arrived with Crows tattling on a Red-shouldered hawk spying on fluttering Goldfinches, and Pheasants in a skirmish.  Days before, I “read” a more serene moment as a mature Bald eagle glided over the Parade Grounds.

Putting down my camera, binoculars, notebook, while warming my toes- I smiled and thought some days just looking out a window is just fine…..

 

 

I’m guessing most folks don’t consider just how much marine traffic flows by the Island during winter months. Or maybe they just don’t have the opportunity to note it for themselves.

While searching for Snowy Owl off Race Point, checking the count of Harbor seals up East, and chasing after one majestic and mature Bald Eagle in between- today I switched lanes (and gears) to slow down and see the “rush hour” commute South side.

 

Local Traditional Knowledge (LTK) can come in all guises…
These colder months I have depended on a clan of six local American Crows to help me monitor the Fort Wright Parade Ground area.

I began noting this group three years ago- regularly at low tide sifting and pecking along kelp mounds on the western end of South beach.

Very crafty and clever, these “Sentinels” have aided my own astute observations in the field time and time again- so much so that I also rely on their Fish Crow cousins over in Hay Harbor.

With their alarming and “mobbing” raucous (or Caw-cous!) they alert me to nearby birds of prey,  call my attention to incoming tidal marine debris,(especially silvery mylar)and hover like a black shroud over the stench of hidden seal and sea turtle carcasses. They stand their ground staunchly too in whatever remains of a Coyote kill -usually pheasant or rabbit.

The birds have even routinely noted over the years that the 4:15pm Ferry crowd conveniently leaves the most “dinner” refuse-watch the six of them hover over and land at 4:50pm scavenging the docks and parking lot.

These days Crows call me (collect!) with a sighting of Snowy Owl gliding over Parade Grounds and Common Eider and Merganser nibbling below the dock pilings in Silver Eel Cove.