Turkeys are large birds! They also are seen frequently on this island these days. The state’s re-introductory program worked well. When our family moved here in 1972 no turkeys were seen. Now, in 2019, they are a familiar sight all over the island. Wild turkeys spend a lot of time during the day walking about …
“The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow and what will poor robin do then …?” This old rhyme always comes to my mind about now. Ducks are good to watch near Thunder Hole now. A column reader sent me a note saying there was a flock of black scoters near Thunder Hole …
For many months residents in Southwest Harbor have enjoyed seeing a lone white goose making its way across the lawn at Western Way, across the busy road and into the harbor. It found companions in the harbor in the form of ducks and occasional other geese. One Canada goose in particular became its friend for …
November is the month when humans and wildlife creatures take changes in the weather seriously and prepare for winter. Snowshoe hare change to white so they will blend in to a wintry landscape. High surf, wind and rain often bring sea birds close to shore. Sometimes the small dovekies find themselves out of the water …
Fall chores are being done this month, but you should seriously consider not raking your leaves or at least leave large areas not raked. There is a benefit to wildlife if you leave them there. Butterflies and songbirds really benefit and depend on them being left right where they are. Over the winter months, butterflies …
“What do you do with a drunken sailor?” goes the popular old song. This week we could say “What do you do with a large drunken woodpecker?” I had an email from a friend in Manset telling me about a pileated woodpecker that has been eating too many fermented berries in a tree near her …
Fall is such a colorful season, but the leaves can disappear in one wind storm and the landscape switches to a wintery look. Tamaracks, one of our evergreens add a lovely yellow for a long time but in a flash these trees too become bare until next spring. From my observations this fall, yellow dominated …
Travels this past month have taken me to beyond the tree line in Labrador and it was a dramatic change of scenery as we drove southward into the colorful fall foliage in Quebec and then Maine. Yellows and reds seemed to dominate and the landscape was very beautiful. Here on Mount Desert Island it is …
On the footpath above the water and rocks along the Ocean Drive these days you should be looking at the berry-bearing shrubs. Especially grabbing your attention is the red elderberry, a common shrub in the area. It grows from 3-12 inches high and in this month has conspicuous cone shaped clusters of red berries. Mountain …
Another month begins! Cool nights herald the approach of autumn and red maples are turning scarlet. October is here and it is a visual treat to drive around this island and see the colors. I know that to some this is a depressing time but for me it is time of renewal and slowing down …
