Asterias: When I turn back the pages of my "rite in rain" notebook to early summer 2011 on Fishers Island, I was jotting observations that had me realize I had not seen so many starfish washed ashore-ever. As I walked both Isabella & South Beaches, I would tally up to 20-40 of these delicate sea […]
I met a Mantis along the Path. It artfully displayed perfect mimicry of dried grass stems and fallen leaves. Hidden from whirling bicycle spokes Dressed in the finest camo Aiming its mantic antennae I knelt to hear a hissing mantra: “Let us prey”
The Aleut tribes of the Pribilof Islands sing a song: Atukan Akun or “We are one”. From summer 2004 till winter 2009, I had the opportunity to live as an active community member in the village of Saint Paul, to be one of the one. During this unique time of my life I was eager […]
Bee pollination Monarch’s migration Tanker’s wake Deer steps ashore
I was just doing my job. Zipping to and fro, clocking endless miles repeatedly between West end at Race Point and the East end’s Big Club Beach,pedaling speedily past the Parade Ground at Fort Wright… “Remember to put together that field note about invasive plant species” I meditate on this thought-especially the “remember” part even […]
It all started with just one “peep”. I was walking and monitoring the shore of South Beach, following a tiny shadow of a bird playing zig-zag tag with lapping waves. As a kid I remember seeing many of these small shore birds darting about the surf around Island. Not anymore. So, I went back to […]
Nature’s Design Spider’s Domain Bird’s Browser Flies, hits.. Morning’s temporary Under Construction page.
Tree Swallows are back this summer’s end. Skyward they soar and tumble in vast swarms while migrating and navigating southward along our Atlantic coast. I observe flocks resting and roosting in grassy fields, bayberry scrub, and marsh along the Parade Ground shoreline and Hay Harbor golf course. Subsisting on flying insects of all types, Swallows […]
There are more sightings of helium balloon debris on and around Fishers Island then than I care to count,but I count them. I see them entangled in shrubs or seaweed, deflated under coastal rocks, collapsed and buried under tidal sands, and bobbing eerily across both Island Sounds. I used to be curious about their decorative […]
In the forest a standing dead or dying tree is referred to as a Snag. Also termed Coarse Woody Debris, I see a few of these areas off dirt roads and around Island trails. Many species of birds can thrive in this critical habitat. Bare branches make for convenient look out. Decayed and hollow cavities […]