It’s early May off Hungry Point, Fishers Island. Male Eider ducks appearing “handsome” for their mates, while bell buoy lulls Harbor seals to sleep.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 17, 2017.
Young Ruddy Turnstones rest on rocks off South beach where tidal wrack lines support healthy habitat here on Fishers Island.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 17, 2017.
Along the dune grasses south side of Elizabeth Field airport, a rarely sighted Spotted Sandpiper perches above its nesting grounds this quiet summer eve on Fishers Island.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 17, 2017.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe July 17, 2017.
Upon Firewheel petals within a Garden’s Demonstrate*;
bees soldier on and pollinate.
Side by side this stretch of Fort, within Summer’s marching on –
“Stop here” for just a moment, and standing at attention,
Hear Fog horn’s call to arms.
That very sound in sequence that passing ships know well to thank –
Listen too, as young Bob White’s call does find its very own rank.
*Fishers Island Conservancy Demonstration Garden
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe June 17 2017.
I can always tell when perhaps I am paying too close attention to my own life on an Island – the way I “feel” it rather than “the way I see it” as a Naturalist. Kind of an inside joke between me and Nature but it often comes across in my photo moments out in the field.
Up east at Oyster Pond, ranging a bit from my neck of the woods on Silver Eel Cove, I met this Green Heron(plumage of the species is actually more slate blue) while on my bicycle. It was early eve, both of us blanketed under June’s shroud of fog-the utter stillness, well, it felt surreal. I got home to discover the image indeed almost looks like an artist’s painting.
The canvas that is Fishers Island though is constantly changing. My job taking note, documenting, and journaling natural history over time; it’s no secret diary (except of course how I feel about my Significant Otter!).
And it appears so quickly – this ever evolving natural environment impacted with our human alterations and transitions; it’s not at all like watching paint dry.
It’s a tough learning curve- being cautious -not letting my own feelings get in the mix. It’s difficult not getting swept away with the surge of cars and folks that swells from 200 or so of us to 2,000 of us in less than 48 hours-just a Memorial Day weekend.
I try not to feel blue as bright red helicopters scream “touch down”, and brighter yellow hovercrafts hover over Black-crowned night herons snoozing under the ferry dock.
Newly installed sliding glass doors at The Village Market slowly got my green light-more speedily than the nearly official traffic light up at Gate House.
And it sure feels like no joke this climate change, wearing my gloves this late, soaking wet spring-June just could be the new April-no fooling!
But some things never change; I still feel grateful to live on an Island.
A female Eastern Bluebird feeds (this time looks like a spider for dinner) her brood on Fishers Island. Happy news! Bluebirds documented throughout winter 2017, it appears some have decided to call here “home”.
Treasured nest and eggs found along Conservancy’s Sanctuary of Sands, parallel Elizabeth Field Runway. Please tread respectfully, leash all dogs, and take pride in our Island’s unique environment and wildlife.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe May 15, 2017.
Male Eastern Bluebird serves up Mother’s Day dinner for mate and brood here in a peaceful meadow, eastern Fishers Island.
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe May 9, 2017.
There once was a seal from Tiree, and with second sight voyaged the sea.
Swirling and sweeping in fathoms still keeping; all along its dreams did see.
Like tumult of wave pooled within tidal crag upon ancient cliffs off shore, this once wee flipperling finds rest to calmly reflect its lore.
Beneath night’s constellations glides this sojourner, within the constant of the mighty Milky Way…
Eavesdropping alongside wooden hulls, revealing to soaring gulls- those tales Clan warriors had to say.
And so it is our own life’s stories too – woven within the waves, but forever linked as the stars above; afar off as isles of our days.
** Fishers Island Harbor Seals readying for Annual haul-off, Fishers Island students learning the art of Storytelling & Local Traditional Knowledge
– Field Note by Justine Kibbe April 30, 2017.
It was always a sweet spot of mine-this Sanctuary of Sands as I call it. The same tidal pools are here, where as a kid, I tipped barnacled rocks years ago with my neighbors. We spent hours searching for crabs to fill our buckets-bait for catching blackfish. It was also the best viewing for the Friday landings of Jock Whitney’s Jet. Oh, it even could be I recollect sneaking a kiss or three here during my early teenage years; we “west- enders” of summer and all those bonfire nights.
But I also remember Fishers Island’s premier Naturalist Ed Horning – seeing him here with his binoculars spying various species of sandpipers from the dune grasses. It was probably a sweet spot for him too; actually Southold has documented notes of his, that it really was his favorite for observing shorebirds feeding within salted kelp and eelgrass berms.
Now decades later, the same three tiny coves parallel to the Elizabeth Field Runway, with sands that have shifted and sifted these past years after Hurricane Sandy have become the spot where at long last my ship has come in- Stewardship.
If I were to name this ship it would be christened Atukan- Akun or “We Are One” honoring my Unungan tribe of the Bering Sea. It’s an Island environment, the Aleuts taught me, that can uniquely exemplify this universal “gift” of knowing AND seeing we truly are ONE. An opportunity to live and breathe the Natural world of sea and sand, the rhythm of sun and moon, wind and wave; where its wildlife and habitat naturally brings out the unity in community-or tribe.
Atukan- Akun, embracing the integral qualities of tribe is an even sweeter spot not unlike a very unique classroom; placed upon the hearts of students here on Fishers Island. We are together Leaders and followers, Teachers and learners, all striving to glean the local traditional knowledge of our native land and preserve it.
And so with sails set and trimmed this Spring, signs have been placed throughout this Sanctuary to help steer Island stewards as we stand watch over our precious cargo-treading lightly, respectfully, and navigating this voyage with a certain hopefulness; taking the helm towards “future history” of our Island.