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
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe December 7, 2017.
Morning was crisp with a filmy frost on fallen leaves.
The damp scent of brackish hung heavy.
Moonbeams lit the bike path along my favorite “pedal fast and glide” bridge.
Buffleheads were gliding too; but leaving ripples and sparkles in their wake.
I did not ask the moon to “Supersize me”.
Merely continue to super surprise me with such wondrous moments of
Creation – such elation.
Such perfect symmetry without design gimmicktry
Served up here!
In awe of Nature’s portions – meant to satisfy
I made it to the Driving range at exactly sunrise
Meant to gratify.
*Moon nearest to earth and Oyster Pond, Fishers Island
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe November 20, 2017.
If You Lichen Me & I Lichen You
(Lichens are fungi that live in intimate association with algae)
And We Lichen both the same
(The partnership may also include cyanobacteria)
I Lichen say this very day, I Lichen change your name
(With photosynthesis)
“Cause I love-a you and love-a you true and if you -a love- a me
One live as two, two live as one”
(So symbiotic!)
Under the Locust tree
*With admiration for Hooverness, as well as Judy Garland…
I caught up with a Woolly Bear “caterpillar of the community” while pedaling the Fishers Island Recreational Bike path just to see what traditional folklore might have to say. With a wider rusty band of color-we can hope for a mild winter. More black, might indicate more severe weather.
– Video Snippet by FIConservancy Naturalist Justine Kibbe, February 15, 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?
BD Remodeling & Restoration aboard Capt. Conroy’s Baby Doll helps to remind commuters and ferry crew to report any unusual wildlife sightings and marine debris across Fishers Island Sound.
– Audio Chat by Justine Kibbe October 1, 2017.
I chat with lifelong Islander John Peishoff about the necessity and importance of Fishers Island Stewardship. To date, he’s picked-up, hauled, and taken to the dump 889 wire Lobster pots-line them together; that’s over a half mile!
So grateful to get a knock on my door to hear about how two of my neighbors rescued a juvenile herring gull struggling with a hook stuck in it’s mouth.
– Justine Kibbe September 30, 2017