6:30 a.m., Sanctuary of Sands

It’s a very serene place, these sandy shoals moist with morning due atop high tide’s lush wrack line deposits. An American oystercatcher stands sentinel eyeing neighboring shorebirds, while piping plover chicks (on the “grow”) learn lessons in territorial boundaries—keen to chase away killdeer from dune grasses.

Up ahead, fuzzy eider ducklings make a splash, and fishing boats gather around Race Point Lighthouse: It’s fluke season.

As I stopped to pick up a tangle of mylar balloons washed ashore, I couldn’t help but document its ironic message “You’re so Special”. Indeed, Fishers Island, and its unique environment conserved and preserved by each of us, is so very special.

From the Field, Field Note Justine Kibbe June 29, 2019