Grounded juvenile Osprey with injured wing watched over near Dock Beach. Fishers Island community lent a hand this past August weekend- getting the bird across the Sound, where rehabilitators from Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic will assess and keep us posted.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 22, 2017.
Tree swallows soar above a field of Queen Anne’ Lace (Wild carrot) near South beach on Fishers Island.
– A Snippet from The Field by Justine Kibbe August 17, 2017
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.