Category: Nature

Susan’s Bucket List!

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Susan was able to fulfill one of her top bucket list events this morning with a photo of an owl. Don’t miss her amazing pictures here.

It was one of those morning experiences in this crazy world we live in that we won’t soon forget.

A bit of background on this giant baby bird.

The older sibling fell out of its nest and was helped off the highway by a good samaritan who placed him/her in a resident’s front yard. The other sibling remained in the nesting cavity of a large decaying tree.

Per Gemini, “this bird is a fledgling or a ‘brancher’ given the abundance of downy, ‘fluffy’ feathers and the emerging adult plumage on the wings. At this stage, they have left the nest but aren’t yet fully capable of sustained flight, often spending their time climbing nearby branches or sitting on the ground while their parents continue to feed and protect them.”

We didn’t see Mom around but we were told she was WATCHING.

My lesser quality photos (compared to Susan’s photos) can be found here.

Walking. In rush hour traffic…

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It’s been 2,149 consecutive (well, almost) days on this morning walk at The Cove. Like in a row.

The highlight of the morning were the Atlantic Brants. The photo time stamp on the shot above was 6:47 am, just minutes before the Sun’s lift-off. There is nothing like the sound of the battalion’s wing flaps and their distinctive call (you really must listen here). Watching them just feet above the water, I couldn’t help but think: “You look marvelous! Absolutely marvelous!“

I stood on the break wall watching the sunrise.

Momentarily at peace.

And then it was The Cove’s rush hour traffic. A new phenomenon. DK’s groupies. 5 years ago, you wouldn’t find a soul at this park at this hour, now I’m mobbed.

Susan’s to my left snapping at the sun (without our Wally, who was left behind at home — the horror!) She’s slinging two cameras over her shoulder, yes, two. (Note to Self – Susan to Dave in 2023: “You always have to take things to the extreme, do you really need two cameras?” Elephant never forgets.)

Cara’s next to Susan, sporting designer Tall Boots akin to a rider in a Dressage event. She’s criss-crossing back and forth, violently snapping at everything that moves. Oh the young-uns, they do everything with such flourish.

Then came the rest: the walkers, the dog walkers and the runners.

I pack my gear and head back.

Look at you DK — The Pied Piper of The Cove.

God, I miss the good ole’ days.

Notes: Shots from this morning’s walk can be found here.

Puffins…

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It’s not always the obvious that is the source of danger for the birds. On Craigleith, famous for its puffin colony of ten thousand breeding pairs, the population of what is undeniably the cutest and most comedic of all seabirds fell in a few short years by 90 per cent because of tree mallows, giant invasive plants whose roots make it impossible for the birds to dig the burrows where they incubate their eggs and raise their young. Ever since the calamitous fall in numbers, volunteers have been working to eradicate the mallows. In spite of the efforts of more than a thousand supporters of the puffins, the mallows persist, though their numbers have been reduced sufficiently to allow the puffins to start rebuilding their colonies. They’re a welcome sight; it would be a hard heart that didn’t feel a rise in its spirit at the sight of a puffin.

— Val McDermid, Winter: The Story of a Season (Atlantic Monthly Press, December 30, 2025)

Notes:

Nothing astounding, but everything beautiful.

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“Nothing astounding, but everything beautiful.” (Jonathan Buckley, One Boat).

First major snowfall. 5:00 to 5:30 am. 32° F. Heavy snow. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT.

Don’t miss other shots from this morning’s walk here.

El Fuego!

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WAIT FOR IT! Time Lapse Video from Twilight to Sunrise. 1 hour in 22 seconds, 6:20 am to 7:20 am. 23° F, feels like 16° F. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT.

Don’t miss the photos from this morning’s walk here.