Dinosaur Crossing

This high stepping Snapping turtle unearthed itself to switch lanes and swamps.

Please drive carefully.

*Among reptiles, turtles are the most distantly related to dinosaurs…..

Sitting Amongst Reeds In May

Red winged messenger

Delivers to me

Spring’s call is

Hearken!

Through slats I see

White winged messenger

Presents to me

Spring’s call is

Mute.

Through slats I see

Nature Painted

Seeing me

Of Wrack Lines,TEDtalks & Plastic

Chocomount is beautiful-shimmering sands shifting now with tides that sweep in kelp, knotted wrack, and sea lettuce forming what is called the Wrack Line. This area of beach serves as a prime feeding ground for birds and animals hunting along what I identify as a full of “life line”.

I noted Common Eider by the “Thelma Pheobe” rocks.

I noted a purple fishing lure along with more strangling balloon debris.

I noted the back pond area and have been taking photos since Hurricane Sandy- it just looks dead, a “flat line”, a Pond of Plastics.

Oceanographer Charles Moore gives a TEDtalk: Seas of Plastic (TED.com). After he discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Moore now documents this plague of plastics infecting our oceans.

As I walk the Wrack Line, down Chocomount Beach, I imagine it is a good thing that each year my data sheet grows with more columns for different duck species and seabirds to identify.

I cannot imagine all the columns needed for plastic marine debris though- It’s tough for me to identify with that.

Up,Up & Away

With all due respect to The 5th Dimension, I am not particularly convinced “The world’s a nicer place in my beautiful balloon.”

I have more than enough photo documentation to “release” that would suggest  rubber, mylar, latex, and nylon balloon debris can be hazardous to our delicate Fishers Island ecosystems and habitats.

Some years ago, Suffolk County, LI. (includes Southold) with the persistence of  heroic third graders aiding the Sea Turtle Conservancy, helped to declare through legislature, the banning of releasing over 25 helium filled balloons at one time. Imagine, simple letter writing and colorful, caring posters made a huge impact on conserving oceans and marine life.

I am aware that these next weeks, I will see washed up, tangled up,  maybe even  deflated ,tired, AND fed up balloons congratulating Graduates,  acknowledging   Mothers & Fathers.…..

Perhaps this summer season of celebration, reuniting, and happy festivities we can all be more sensitive, simple-even courageous. Bring on the cakes, the recyclable cards and just say “I Love You”.

BUT ban the balloons!

And if you think I might be “full of hot air”? take a walk around the circumference of our precious Island and see for yourselves…..

Lifeguard Position Available

Well, I imagine there probably is one available at The Big Club….

Monitored that Beach yesterday, and spied this very hefty Harbor seal off the western tip. It is not a regular occurrence, so I very discreetly hopped from one slippery rock to the next to document the moment.

I laugh, it appears the seal is working out and doing leg lifts-perhaps prepping for Lifeguard duties!

Actually, there was a pair of seals on that warm rock, and two bobbing heads farther off shore. Adult Harbor seals can weigh close to 300lbs.

I am guessing their diets here are sustained mostly with Menhaden fish stock, just like our Island Osprey. 

 

Site Fidelity:Oyster Catchers & Seals

Based on my previous wildlife jottings, I am reminded that Hay Harbor is a destination for a very few American Oyster Catchers winding down their spring migration.

Yesterday in blustery gusts, I hid in tall reeds trying to still my camera and record this summer resident’s earlier return.

Site Fidelity is something I first heard of and learned about in the Pribilof Islands.

By early summer, I was routinely hunkered in tundra grass, placing a check mark in data sheet columns as tagged female Northern fur seals completed their arduous journeys across the Bering Sea. Amidst the thunderous roaring waves, hundreds of glistening brown and very expectant mother “sea bears” coasted gracefully, then waddled clumsily to shore. Within hours, they “pupped” (not popped!); each delivery adding a precious family member to a declining species.

It has been researched and scientifically noted that female pups born of that seal species will be faithful to the same site-that same craggy rookery, returning in future years to bear their own young.

Back here on Fishers Island, I read a bit about Philopatry (Greek for “home loving”) It is an ecology term for Site Fidelity.  By returning to the same nesting and feeding territory, American Oyster Catcher populations maintain their species adaptation to specific environs.

I found a tad of humor reading that the term can also describe nesting animals that don’t remain in their home nests during an “unfavorable” season…..

As I see more and more familiar faces journeying across the choppy Sound by ferry to Fishers Island these days of spring, I think truly, that same Site Fidelity is often exhibited -loving summer homes and expecting wonderful family time.

** Seal photo credit to my friend John Hocevar of Greenpeace

Grassland Ecology

During Naturalist course studies in Florida, there was class discussion about controlled or prescribed burning-especially in wildlife refuge settings.

Fire is a natural part of grassland and forest ecology, and used as a tool it plays an intricate part in overall management of wildland settings.

Stimulating germination of desirable grasses and vegetation, prescribed burning may improve wildlife habitat.

While monitoring Middle Farms last eve, I thought to document a few photos taken near The Driving Range.

This summer student Sentinels and I can take note of specific grassland revitalization here.

Spring Into Action

You can observe quite a bit of activity along the Island Recreational Path this week, but you must be quick about it!
And while the fauna may stand still for a moment, the flora buds are bursting to be seen and faded blades brightening into green. A Canada Goose stands statuesque while a Painted turtle basks in its glory of sunlight just across from the Picket Landfill.

Pedal a bit faster and even faster past the Driving Range and catch a glimpse through naked branch -freshly caught Menhaden between tight talons, but don’t expect Osprey to share. Hurry now, for Springtime waits for no man.

They Say It’s Your Earthday!

“We’re gonna have a good time…..”
The Beatles tune was humming in my thoughts today.

Coasting by the Henry Ferguson Museum, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend some very good time paying homage to our dear Earth. So I sat in serenity under my favorite gazebo.

Barred Owl snoozing in the shade of unfurling, pale pink leaves in the radiance of a blue sky.

“I’m glad it’s your Earthday

Happy Earthday to you"

Each and every day.

 

Birds Do It

So I notice.

Chocomount Osprey keeps a watchful lookout for a mate.

Cock Pheasant guards his Hen along East Harbor.

Oyster Pond Egrets find each other at long last.

While a preened Tree Swallow awaits……..