Blue Grosbeak by Justine Kibbe

Blue Grosbeak by Justine Kibbe

A VERY scarce and unique visitor was eating seed along the Recreational bike path here on Fishers Island; fluttering between the waving tall grasses just beyond the Driving Range. A “tropical” bunting and cousin to the northern cardinal, this male Blue Grosbeak has an expansive breeding range: south and central United States as well as Mexico and Central America! Watch Video Snippet

– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 23, 2018

Blue Grosbeak Stay

Out in The Field, Fishers Islanders often stop alongside the bike path pointing me in the direction of some unexpected “find”. I am always grateful for “Citizen Science” in the works…a VERY rarely seen Blue Grosbeak feeds on seed near the Driving Range. View Field Note

– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 23, 2018

My Friend Flicker

Northern Flicker can be heard drumming away within northern wooded areas along the Recreational bike path here on Fishers Island. This male woodpecker (note black malar near beak) perhaps searching for ants, patiently posed for me here.

– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 17, 2018

Spring thaw

It’s a tranquil commuter’s hour across Fishers Island Sound.
Brant geese feed north side “Where the wild things are.”

These geese may just remain coastal here until their nesting region in the Arctic tundra thaws a bit and is suitable for their homecoming during summer months.

– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe April 16, 2018

Mute Swan nesting, Fishers Island
Mute Swan nesting, Fishers Island

Mute Swan nesting, Fishers Island

I had been watching her for about 10 days. I walked along the bicycle bridge with a hopeful sense of confidence, that the first day of spring often brings these years; perhaps by now, we just might know each other.

And she had been watching me. Propped upon reeds and rushes her mate has diligently picked and laid within a criss-cross mound ; awaiting her plumping and molding -she is her own warmest down duvet.

He is floating, dabbling, with elegant neck stretched forth gently pulling up plenteous aquatic plants and pond vegetation.

It is the calm before a snow storm-not even a ripple.

For an hour we sit; she on her clutch of eggs, and me on a cold rock.

Perhaps both awaiting the birth-of spring.

– Field Note by Justine Kibbe March 26, 2018

 

sweetness of spring

I bicycled up to the log cabin on Ski’s Landing to catch the Rollin Boil of Sugar Maple sap collected here on Fishers Island.

The first morning of Spring – sure to bring forth a first batch of Syrup soon!

– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe March 21, 2018

Plastic bag debris

We see it so often here on Fishers Island that I just can’t “bag it!” (hush up about it!)
Why bring our own satchels and shopping totes to market?
“The answer is blowin in the wind”…
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe March 18, 2018

Marine Debris

Storms surrounding Fishers Island only deliver marine debris “faster” into our precious coves, harbors and surrounding coastline –we are, though, everyday constantly under “siege”…
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe March 2, 2018

March in like a lion


Storm surge & fierce winds from the northeast envelop Silver eel Cove, Fishers Island.
– A Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe March 2, 2018

Juvenile Red-tailed hawk, Middle Farms
Juvenile Red-tailed hawk, Middle Farms

Juvenile Red-tailed hawk, Middle Farms

Young migrant, you return
Effortless you glide above within some lone raptor rapture
Broad wings, fanned tail on thermal uplift, circling and circling…
Perched and elevated awaiting early spring’s arrival along with your winged dance partner
Birds of prey within an aerial display of courtship
within some raptor rapture

– Field Note by Justine Kibbe February 28, 2018