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Oh deer! Look what we found hiding deep in the woods.

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I had an early shift at work today. With each passing hour the day was becoming more pleasant, the temperature was rising and the humidity stayed low. I yearn for my work day to be over so I could get out and enjoy what was shaping up to be a perfect 10 day.

My shift was over. I raced home and bribed B (with a dinner out) to come along on a visit to one of the local Osprey nests. He was thrilled to go. He came along and after a great prime rib dinner and some shared stories of the day, we drove over to the park. The Osprey were busy fishing for their dinner and this bandit was busy stealing someone elses.

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We were awaken at 5 a.m. by the sound of rain hammering the roof. Once the puppies heard us stir we knew our day was off to a start. Thirty minutes later the pups were had been outed, watered, and fed and the rains had subsided. The decision was made to check on the Spring migration.

After stopping for a quick bagel to go, we were on the road heading south. The day started to lighten from the rising sun only to reveal a dense fog. We continued on our way.

Upon arrival at Forsythe the air was moist and thick with no-see-ums and pine flies. The grounds and skies were absent of avian. Oh sure, the usual mass number of red wings were clinging to the reeds, the peeps were digging for their breakfast, which lay hidden under the tar like mud, and the occasional yellow throat could be seen flitting about. The Osprey lay low in their nests with only the top of their heads visible through the heavy fog, there were no Egrets on the hunt and we spied only two terns sitting guard on their posts.

What we did find, were unusual number of turtle strolling along the roads edge and to our eyes delight a massive number of spider webs woven between the reeds and fencing. With the moisture from the earlier rains and the light from the morning sun, they appeared as jeweled lace.
    

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I went to visit our local Humane Society, which also serves as a Animal Refuge for wildlife that are sick, elderly, abandoned , abused, or injured, and which could no longer survive in its natural habitat.  I am not certain who was watching who.

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Many towns and cities have a local humane society. Ours is different from many others. Not only do they treat and house dogs, cats and other domestic animals, but they care for sick, neglected, and abused exotics, wildlife, farm animals and birds. Each of God’s creatures been rescued from suffering, exploitation and/or death - each has its own unique story to tell.

At three months of age, Sandy and her sister Candy were legally shipped, in a suitcase, to New Jersey. Luckily, these lovely girls were discovered at Newark airport and taken to the zoo where they have lived and grown into beautiful ladies.

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One of my favorite beaches to frequent is Island Beach State Park. It is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coast. Besides having some the most gorgeous, sugar sand beaches and rolling waves, it is home to an abundance of wildlife. Often while “renewing my spirit” I have the joy of watching dolphin playing and feeding in the waves, pelican scoop for a meal and Osprey fly over with the catch of the day. There is a large number of red fox who call this 10 mile island home but they are true to their character and shy from people. This evening not only did we see several but luck be with me, I had my camera.

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Day 3 of 100+ temperatures, it is starting to wear on me and I would venture to say everyone else in the northeast.
It’s difficult to be motivated to do much when you’re sweating just sitting still.

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I along with the sun rose at 5:44 am. I was at the Osprey nest with the rented 500mm by 6:15am. I was anxious to get out while the light was perfect. Upon arrival I could see one of the parents sitting watch on the nest. Generally, as I approach the nest and entered into their perceived danger zone, the adult will fly off circling the nest while the hatchlings duck down, hiding from the enemy. Today, to my surprise, Mama flew off in the direction of a near by electric pole. There she joined two of her off spring. They had fledged! This being much like children taking their first steps. I estimate their age to be about 12 weeks.

Over the next month, they will continue to practice their aerial maneuvers and fishing techniques until they are successfully at both. At which time the family will migrate to a warmer winter climate.

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I have had the pleasure of watching several avian families this summer. The Osprey hatchlings are growing quickly. I can see them testing out their wings, readying them for their first flight. Once they have mastered flying, Mama and Papa will teach them to fish. Then the long journey to a warmer winter climate can begin.

I have, also, being watching a Bald Eagle family. While this family doesn’t resided quite as close to my home, I make the short trip to watch them. They have chosen the highest point of a cell phone tower to call home. Perhaps not the best choice but they are thriving. I have not be able to capture a web worth photograph of this family, that is until today.

I rented a 500mm in order to enable me to get something that actually looks like an Eagle rather than a small black dot. Today’s visit featured one of the two fledglings. He/she was testing out it’s wings and taking short flights over the tree tops and returning to the safety of it’s home.

Shortly, it’s downy baby feathers will be replaced with regal white one about it’s head. Then our majestic national symbol will take fly over our shining seas.

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"Ladybugs are a symbol of luckiness,

waiting to generously unleash

and share with you their good fortune!"
and I use to think they were cute ~

join the marco monday fun over @ Lisa's Chaos

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Zoos are such a mixed bag of emotions for me. Are they for entertainment or education? Do they help to save endangered species or due to the low birth rate would the animals be better off in their natural environment? Do they feel safe from predators or are they bored? Do they like having their dinner served to them or would they rather hunt? Should we hold animals in captivity or as Peter Singer asked in the 1970s, do they have rights?

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Raising the lid of the hot tub revealed this little quarter size frog. Instantly, Shyla spied him and thinking he was make a tasty little snack, lunged directly for him. B acting quicker than lightening scooped him up and placed him safely on the fence. I ran for my camera. As a thank you for saving his life, or still in shock from the near death experience, he remained still while I took several photos.

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I can remember, as a child, when our family drove down one of the local barrier islands, the tops of the phone poles were lined with Osprey nests. I was impressed by the shear size of these nests. They seem to be 3 or 4 feet across. They were enormous compared to the much smaller size robin’s nests we would find back at home. But with each passing summer the nest numbers grew fewer and fewer, than one summer there were none. The Osprey and their homes were gone.

Years later, during one of my science classes, I hear of Rachel Carson. In 1962, she had written a book about the effect of the pesticide DDT. DDT was very effective and very inexpensive to produce, thus it became the pesticide of choice and was widely used throughout the country. I, also, have memories of running in the fog which spew from the back of the weekly spray trucks.

Carson‘s book, “Silent Spring” brought light to the fact DDT was not only killing insects, it was a contact toxin to animals, and could possibly accumulate in the food chain. Carson claimed it was a carcinogen, possibly poisoning food. It’s effects were building up in birds and causing egg shells to be so thin, they were crushed by the parents nesting them. Eagles, Hawks, Osprey and many other birds were disappearing in large numbers. Thanks to her persistence and her well documented facts which were published in her “Silent Spring”, ten years later, 1972, the government ban the use of this insecticide.

During the last several years, I am elated to see many Osprey nests reappearing. Admittedly, not to the numbers of my childhood but there are many. And recently I have even seen several Bald Eagles.

Each spring/summer morning which I am awaken by the squeaking of fledglings, I thank Rachel and I am happy for the lack of silence.



Osprey ~ mama, papa and hatchling 6/21/11 Cattus Island



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The Black Skimmers arrived in May and on each of my trips to the Refuge, I have had the pleasure of watching them. It is great fun to watch as they drag their longer and larger lower mandible along the top of the water in hopes of catching a seafood dinner. These Skimmers are the only skimmers in American.

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On our last morning on the island, we awoke early. The sun was on the rise, the air was heavy with moisture and thick with insects. We took one last driving through the refuge. The birds were busy swooping and diving in an effort to gather breakfast. The few ponies we saw were barely visible through the dense fog.

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Ponies of Chincoteague ~

I am not certain of the exact age of the foals we saw but they were still nursing. Since most foals are weaned by the age of 3 or 4 months of age, I would venture to say they were about 2 months old. The little guys were never a step away from their mamas.

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The small island of Chincoteague became well known when, in 1947, Maguerite Henry wrote “Misty of Chincoteague” . Her book became well read, won the Newbery Honor and in 1961was made into movie. The feral ponies actually live on island of Assateague where they live under the watchful eye of the Volunteer Fire Company. By order of federal law, no more than 150 ponies are allowed to live on the VA side of this island.

To maintain the herd, the Fire Company, annually, rounds up the ponies and auctions they off. This has been proven to be a winning arrangement. The population stays under control and the money raised benefit the Fire Company and in turn the island.

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We started our VA travels by taking the Cape May, NJ/ Lewes, DE ferry. We drove the car on to the ferry and ran up to the front deck and took a seat in one of deck chairs. While this ferry doesn’t cut much time off the travel time, it does allow for a nice hour break in the driving. It was a bit overcast, with a strong cool breeze. It was the start of a few days of relaxation.

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It was the kind of day I dreamed about all winter. I have longed for the warmth of the sunshine to defrost my bones. Yesterday was just that day. Phriend and decided it was the perfect day to get out on the water. We hoisted the kayaks to the roof of the car and off we went. We arrived at the lake, the same one which was ice covered the last time we were there, but today it beckoned us to come paddle around. We toured the coast line and observed, a 100 or so, turtles in a deep state of mediation all while, they too, enjoyed a sunbathe. They barely noticed us. We returned home, tired but filled with hope summer can't be far away.

Today, I woke to find the tempertures had dropped and it was as cold and windy as any winter day.  This made the sunburn I got yesterday seem more like pleasure than pain.