Good friend shows no interest in my 6-year-old daughter
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Nature
Nature: Things are seldom what they seem
Mockingbirds used to be Southern birds only, with maybe an occasional summer visitor seen here on MDI. We moved to ...
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Nature: Nothing dampens the spirit of a tree sparrow
Regardless of the weather – cold, wet or clear – nothing dampens the spirit of a tree sparrow. This bird is easy to recognize for it has a reddish cap and a single black breast spot. Here on our island, we see it in January foraging through wet fields, clinging to a grass stalk to grab seeds or stopping at feeders. This attractive sparrow is with us throughout the winter up to middle or late April.
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Nature: When it snows, the hunted breathe a bit easier
A New Year begins for us and all the wildlife sharing this island with us and there are still a few surprises to be had. A friend in Bar Harbor saw a turkey vulture flying over Eagle Lake on Dec. 31. Vultures are usually enjoying the sun and beach much farther south. These large birds are usually gone by the end of September and don’t return until …
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Nature: What’s black and white and cute all over?
The last day of 2020 has arrived. It has not been a banner year for humans, but the wildlife world moves on right on schedule, and that is hopeful to me. I have always had a fondness for skunks. Early in my life as the wife of a naturalist, I had skunks living in the …
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Nature: Winter brings a wonderland of creatures to watch
It’s snowing, it’s snowing, it’s snowing outside of our window…” These words, and tune, popped into my mind during the recent snowstorm we had. Years ago, I wrote it for my kindergarten music classes in public schools. Even in a pandemic with virtual classes, a snow day is still observed. It’s tradition! Snow means many things to wildlife on this island. For some creatures, it’s harder to get around; for others, it’s safer to get …
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Nature: As winter approaches, all creatures adapt
Long-tailed ducks are fun to watch now in local harbors. Keep watch for them any day you are out walking along the shore. A friend told me they were very active recently near Bar Harbor as they called to each other, flew around and dove for food. Just watching a small group like this can …
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Nature: Bird beaks fit the bill
Feathered visitors keep feeders busy, especially this time of year. Redpolls arrive and stay through April. These colorful little wanderers drift into the Northeast every winter. They usually show up with the first snowflakes and leave when spring approaches. You may see them in small groups or in flocks of hundreds! They are about the size if …
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Nature: Important links in the chain of life
A roadkill deer carcass ended up in a field nearby and it didn’t take very long for eagles to find it and enjoy the feast. The large bird flew off with an indignant sound after being disturbed. No roadkill is wasted with the scavengers always looking for food. You may not personally see them eating …
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Nature: Snowy owls are a winter-long favorite
A flock of evening grosbeaks flew in with a flourish to an island feeder this past week, making the yard and the area beneath the feeder very colorful with yellow, black and white. This is definitely the time for them to be more and more visible. They are bold, brash and beautiful. Friends in Southwest Harbor sent me a photo of an old, …
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Nature: Beavers keep busy preparing for winter
On any warmer autumn days that come our way, be on the lookout for strange floating objects (or swarms) in local woods and fields. These swarms contain filmy white insects with blue bottoms! Some people affectionally call them blue-bottom bugs. To me, these ethereal creatures look like something Dr. Seuss created. They are really named woolly …