Nearby to Oyster Pond, far above the brackish brine, wrapped within knotted and draping vine -see two hidden Egrets. Great they are. See the male on lower branch? This spring season note his wispy breeding plumage and green “eye shadow”.
– Video Snippet by Justine Kibbe April 24, 2018
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
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
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
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
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
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe October 16, 2017.
Etched across an autumn sky as if origami art had real wings to fly
The real in you on stalwart stilts, menhaden splash, while a yellow bill tilts
Your deep neck bow amidst swaying grass; often poses a “question mark” – might I ask?
Within sultry fog and scarlet leaves perched upon lichened bark; organdy plumage, ethereal and stark – is that still you?
Out in the field I caught up with Conservancy’s Autumn Bird Migration Survey and chatted with birds of a feather Adam Mitchell & Will Almeida; discovering 48 bird species in a day that depend on our Island’s healthy native habitat.
– Audio Chat by Justine Kibbe September 24, 2017
In the photo, the group obsessed over a variety of bird called a brown thrasher.
Photo by: A. Sargent
Alongside Elizabeth Field Airport Fishers Island, sitting on a sandy sanctuary, a banded American Oyster Catcher visits me- with a tiny Killdeer just passing by!
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 25, 2017
A juvenile Little Blue Heron still wearing white plumage dances a bit during lunch: “leaping frog’s legs” in Madeline Pond, Fishers Island.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 25, 2017.