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
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
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
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
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
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
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
After swimming a few laps in the “Tank” at Hay Harbor Club, this lone seal snoozes a bit before heading off into the lush Eel Grass meadows just north side here on Fishers Island.
– Video Snippet by FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe, February 15, 2018
It’s been a month of some single digit temperature’s – lowest dipping in a century. Snow has blanketed Fishers Island, but really only relatively lightly. The sense of heaviness though, that pull of hibernation when the dull grays of cloud, sand, and sea-smoke hover low; does await some sort of silver lining.
Wait though, a burst of light in a single second announcing daybreak south side off Isabella. Nature has a way of infusing even the slightest passion into drab. Winter’s darkness often leads me into starkness-subtle change in the environment becomes blunt.
As I jot observations of a marked increase clearly evident (to me) since 2012 of Slipper Snail shells on Chocomount and Big Club Beaches – I laugh to myself:
“Could the cause be winter doldrums?” I ask.
And like those light and unpredictable winds, thought and focus changes.
It’s getting late now, and dusk and a full lunar eclipse will try to overshadow.
Coyote’s path along Dock beach reminds me to keep a “one track mind”.
Nature’s wonders, even during the monotony of a winter still persist.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe January 31, 2018
Fishers Island Sound is calm, almost mirror – like before a wintery mix of weather. This Black duck “skates” along while foraging north side “Where the Wild things are”.
– Video Snippet by FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe, February 15, 2018