A “Sky Dancer”. This female Red-tailed hawk swooped within the grasses and sedge of Parade Grounds soaring upwards to its favorite lookout (for mice and small birds) platform near the airport here on Fishers Island.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 25, 2018
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
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