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.
This Island’s Iconic Imagery
Field Notes, From the FieldImagine that.
You are the I in this Island
Passengers are we
Voyaging
Imagine that.
Together we are the me in Time
Our ferry schedules different
Each arrival
What to bring?
Each departure
What to bring?
Now is your return
Passenger
Marine Vessel Traffic Report
Field Notes, From the FieldI’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.
Nature’s March Syncopated
Field Notes, From the FieldSeason insulated
Time encapsulated
History refrigerated
Wonder invigorated
Even emancipated
*Fort Wright Parade Grounds
Something To Crow About
Field Notes, From the FieldLocal 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.
Temperature Dip
Field Notes, From the FieldWhile monitoring Sound side yesterday, I wrestled mostly with high winds and an ice-cream headache.
This morning it is warmer here-I “bask” in the morning rays looking towards South beach,where I caught a glimpse of Snowy owl evading crows in flight. It is 25 degrees-yet 18 degrees North across the way in New London. Water temperature is 37.
The Nature Conservancy (Long Island) proposed setting temperature loggers around Island late spring. A unique component that would allow Island Sentinels to help monitor and contribute data to area seagrass meadow research.
Meanwhile, I look forward to trading in ice cleats for my Vans…..
Wintering Over
Field Notes, From the FieldSnuggle up
Couple up
Puff up
Look up
Bundle up too.
Brant, Buffle, & Buoy
Field Notes, From the FieldThe solitude is sheer-only permeated with the lull of bell buoy
rocking me and the Dumplings into the hush of The Sound.
As Brant with pale belly rested,
elusive Bufflehead caught my eye.
This, this is where we winter.
Winter Of Content
Field Notes, From the FieldDarkness like lava flows in lowest viscosity.
Downward, downward, and draping heavily
Upon
Season’s shadow shortened and snuffed out.
Until
Creation, eruption without interruption
Flows light once again…..
Isle Be Home For Christmas
Field Notes, From the Field“Where the lovelight gleams…..”
Thelma Pheobe Ship To Shore
Field Notes, From the FieldIt’s in the winter months these past four years that I have routinely anticipated meeting Thelma Pheobe on the shores of Chocomount Beach.
Just right or west of the familiar clump of rocks, just a Frisbee throw seaward from Picnic Rock, I look for her reappearance-remains of her day.
Simply, out in the field, but in my thoughts I see the black and white photograph that hangs in our Henry Ferguson Museum. I stand aground where she did. Remembering her past lives and hearing Pierce Rafferty’s historic depictions of the fateful day in April 1923. When the once former World War I patrol yacht USS Onward, which was transferred to US Coast Guard as a Geodetic Survey vessel in 1919 and later renamed Thelma Pheobe, she became a rum runner during the early 1920’s and wrecked ashore here.
Smashed and shattered porthole glass and whiskey bottle cargo….salted and worn. Petrified deck lumber, crumbling iron…. residuum, remnants, artifacts, imaginings, call them what I will- skeletal remains of her day.