tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47150255448895763132024-03-13T17:49:18.227-04:00Cape Cod Art and Nature"Where Art and Nature Meet"Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-88283839450022889392012-03-27T06:35:00.003-04:002012-03-29T13:58:17.850-04:00I have moved! You will now find my blog, as well as my website at <a href="http://www.capecodartandnature.com/">http://www.capecodartandnature.com</a><br />
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Come on by!Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-90394043646731026552012-03-16T10:24:00.000-04:002012-03-16T10:24:45.295-04:00Taking a "lichen" to the Cape Cod landscapeHave you ever heard the one about Alice Algae and Freddie Fungus? Seems they took a lichen to each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnYSB-S42fw/T2NKLQ5VT0I/AAAAAAAACSQ/mmhM_XvbSpA/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnYSB-S42fw/T2NKLQ5VT0I/AAAAAAAACSQ/mmhM_XvbSpA/s400/014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen">Lichens</a> are everywhere here on Cape Cod and many people are confused as to whether they are an algae or a fungus. They are neither, actually, but sort of a combination of the two. They get the advantage of the symbiotic qualities of the fungus as well as the photosynthetic abilities of the algae and can survive in what may otherwise be very tough and hostile habitats.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXDV86jaKrg/T2NJ-tt2MzI/AAAAAAAACSI/8eS4CLVlG-Q/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXDV86jaKrg/T2NJ-tt2MzI/AAAAAAAACSI/8eS4CLVlG-Q/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There are lichens such as the shield lichens that grow on tree bark and lichens that seem to grow in the air off of tree branches, like the dead man's beard. In the coastal dune areas we also find a lot of reindeer lichen which has little branchlets that resemble antlers and my favorite, the little red capped British soldiers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBFDNfG5_tA/T2NK9KBfRpI/AAAAAAAACSY/mF3pzpgR_yU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DBFDNfG5_tA/T2NK9KBfRpI/AAAAAAAACSY/mF3pzpgR_yU/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOCGju5Ewk0/T2NLH8T-MNI/AAAAAAAACSg/pYd2gyTZG1g/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lOCGju5Ewk0/T2NLH8T-MNI/AAAAAAAACSg/pYd2gyTZG1g/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFWMLZ0DYa4/T2NLRq41yaI/AAAAAAAACSo/w0C2vWxaw7U/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFWMLZ0DYa4/T2NLRq41yaI/AAAAAAAACSo/w0C2vWxaw7U/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bb_ZN1Wj9VU/T2NMWLgcVmI/AAAAAAAACSw/Wf4CeQmzX8U/s1600/DSC08026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bb_ZN1Wj9VU/T2NMWLgcVmI/AAAAAAAACSw/Wf4CeQmzX8U/s400/DSC08026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Every year I try to learn a little more about these interesting plants. There are thousands of different kinds and I don't really know how many we have here on Cape Cod but it would be fun to go out and see how many we could find.<br />
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For more information check out <a href="http://capecodcoastalecology.net/articlesbygil/lichensofmashpeeriver.html">Gil Newtons' Cape Cod Coastal Ecology Website.</a>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-3514840489195042372012-03-12T16:25:00.000-04:002012-03-12T16:25:56.958-04:00Oh, what a beautiful day!It sure didn't feel like March around here today...It was so warm walking on the beach that we were in our shirt sleeves....<br />
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Look at the blue sky, the calm sea, the light sand....ahhhhh....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO8h53WdGMc/T15ZanvtqYI/AAAAAAAACRo/X_DpN8lqYns/s1600/DSC03821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO8h53WdGMc/T15ZanvtqYI/AAAAAAAACRo/X_DpN8lqYns/s400/DSC03821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These photos are from Corporation Beach, taken around lunch time today...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqN7U_ax344/T15Zr7UVQHI/AAAAAAAACRw/TuhB3hO18RM/s1600/DSC03810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MqN7U_ax344/T15Zr7UVQHI/AAAAAAAACRw/TuhB3hO18RM/s400/DSC03810.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Just beautiful....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R80d75D_jrE/T15Z12VWU-I/AAAAAAAACR4/YCjRcUQPQ80/s1600/DSC03816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R80d75D_jrE/T15Z12VWU-I/AAAAAAAACR4/YCjRcUQPQ80/s400/DSC03816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These are the days that get us through the other not so nice days, the days when the cold wind howls down under our collars and through our ears....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWzrbg4uOSc/T15aIYLSZdI/AAAAAAAACSA/T4I09ryVFu8/s400/DSC03814.JPG" width="400" /></div>On a day like today one can only sigh and think......perfection!<br />
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Here's a quick little video of what it sounded and looked like walking along the water's edge today...especially for those of you who couldn't make it to the beach today....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hmhVUED3IgQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-62789193348060251232012-03-11T15:40:00.000-04:002012-03-11T15:40:51.279-04:00Iceland Gulls Hanging out at Craigville BeachOne of the fun things about winter birding is that you can go to just about any beach parking lot and check out the gulls, mostly from the warm and cozy blind that is your car. Gulls will let you get pretty close in a car--but step outside it and they'll be off in a second. Unless they think you are bringing them food in which case every gull within 5 miles will immediately show up.<br />
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Anyway, we get a lot of random gulls here each winter, many of whom are out of their usual range but are not all that unusual because each year we get a few and sometimes we get a few in the same place, winter after winter. At first glance all gulls seem to look alike, at least to the unpracticed eye...<br />
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but can you see what is different about this gull?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8laIdYNas_E/T1z8wgint4I/AAAAAAAACRA/MEw4xF3BJS0/s1600/DSC03796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8laIdYNas_E/T1z8wgint4I/AAAAAAAACRA/MEw4xF3BJS0/s400/DSC03796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here it is in flight<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJm6iLXf8vQ/T1z9QXxJeSI/AAAAAAAACRI/DRQY40hSqYg/s1600/DSC03794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJm6iLXf8vQ/T1z9QXxJeSI/AAAAAAAACRI/DRQY40hSqYg/s400/DSC03794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>If you said it is mostly white with no black on the wing tips and that it has a black bill, not a yellow or ringed one, you would be correct. It is a bit mottled looking so we know it is probably an immature or juvenile bird.<br />
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Now look at this one...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY0GhoDjlQ4/T1z9tPLcwMI/AAAAAAAACRQ/KeikKdfGqUM/s1600/DSC03803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY0GhoDjlQ4/T1z9tPLcwMI/AAAAAAAACRQ/KeikKdfGqUM/s400/DSC03803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Looks sort of familiar, right? But look again...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3L5AC853fYE/T1z95y-68wI/AAAAAAAACRY/AgC5vpN3RBk/s1600/DSC03808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3L5AC853fYE/T1z95y-68wI/AAAAAAAACRY/AgC5vpN3RBk/s400/DSC03808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>No black wing tips and very pale gray back....hmmmm....it's not a Herring gull, a ring billed or a greater black backed gull and it is a good sized bird which rules out a few others.<br />
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This beauty is in fact an Iceland gull, as is the immature bird shown in the first few pictures. Both of them have been hanging out with their less fancy cousins at the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rlz=1C1LENN_enUS453US454&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=craigville+beach+centerville&fb=1&gl=us&hq=craigville+beach+centerville&cid=3054061013537365564">Craigville Beach</a> parking lot this winter and if you hang around for awhile and check the various gulls you see there you may come across both or one of them quite easily.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3dJ61YTFIc/T1z-jrW7lNI/AAAAAAAACRg/B4G0sKiumws/s1600/DSC03807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3dJ61YTFIc/T1z-jrW7lNI/AAAAAAAACRg/B4G0sKiumws/s400/DSC03807.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These northern beauties usually winter north of us but each year a few seem to straggle down our way. Reports from the north shore and the Plymouth area are not uncommon and they often show up with other gulls in parking lots. Yep, opportunists just like the rest of the gang.<br />
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<a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Iceland_Gull/id/ac">Iceland gulls</a> breed in the arctic, usually on rocky cliffs facing the fjords in Greenland and northern Canada so these guys should be leaving soon. If you're in the area though, check them out.Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-88779230134338509372012-02-29T16:35:00.000-05:002012-02-29T16:35:29.016-05:00What is it?I bet you've seen it but do you know what it is?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sgS0gA4dZQ/T06Y7XWhuVI/AAAAAAAACQ4/76bbZ_yrKD8/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sgS0gA4dZQ/T06Y7XWhuVI/AAAAAAAACQ4/76bbZ_yrKD8/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>You can find it on area beaches at any time of year but the winter beach seems to be full of it, especially after a big wind that stirs up the waves.<br />
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We found this specimen on Sandy Neck in Barnstable today. In fact, we saw a lot of them.<br />
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When I was a kid my mom told me it was whale poop ;-) It isn't, though. It is actually an organism--or more correctly, a colony of organisms called zooids, encased in a layer or layers of cellulose. It feels a bit rubbery and can come in various shapes, sizes and colors though the average seems to be about 4-6 inches wide.<br />
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I found this <a href="http://www.mitchellspublications.com/guides/shells/articles/0084/">information on Sea Pork </a>to be helpful and this<a href="http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/08/17/what-is-this-stuff-on-the-beach/"> blog on sea pork</a> has lots of interesting photos.Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-64963699890059086692012-02-28T14:31:00.000-05:002012-02-28T14:31:25.074-05:00Early spring or what?I saw a whole bunch of busy bees today....on a sunny patch of crocus while wandering about in Sandwich....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PdQDTr7iwwM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>this is also my first YouTube video so feel free to give it some love ;-)Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-395595459914371052012-02-20T15:23:00.001-05:002012-02-20T15:28:17.029-05:00Buried in the sandThis is the time of year when the wind blows down the beach with howls and the surf hits the sand with a roar....it is the time of year when shells appear half buried in the sand like long lost skeletons...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9JPpLnHXI/T0KqbSlpmsI/AAAAAAAACQE/5oOLxS137cw/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3G9JPpLnHXI/T0KqbSlpmsI/AAAAAAAACQE/5oOLxS137cw/s400/062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>driftwood and seaweeds add to the sandy compositions...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqOtW-pLBcg/T0Kqqc-rOPI/AAAAAAAACQM/UqGkajgUqIQ/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqOtW-pLBcg/T0Kqqc-rOPI/AAAAAAAACQM/UqGkajgUqIQ/s400/063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtAVrV19scQ/T0Kq0ZPLGHI/AAAAAAAACQU/mBc4guCCNms/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtAVrV19scQ/T0Kq0ZPLGHI/AAAAAAAACQU/mBc4guCCNms/s400/064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Feathers that have been shed show their wear and tear...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVnUH6CgGHw/T0KrTUSQrOI/AAAAAAAACQc/Vqk9XM5Fk3w/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVnUH6CgGHw/T0KrTUSQrOI/AAAAAAAACQc/Vqk9XM5Fk3w/s400/065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And some days you just play with the shells you find in the sand and make a sand and scallop design...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C930xEXflyk/T0KrpqoSBjI/AAAAAAAACQk/s-dAvQF-k2Q/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C930xEXflyk/T0KrpqoSBjI/AAAAAAAACQk/s-dAvQF-k2Q/s400/060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes it is fun to take the time to stop and look at the little things closely, even when the big picture is so enticing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyX5ZBoCQyQ/T0Ks0ilDbsI/AAAAAAAACQs/qw6j0CXkybc/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyX5ZBoCQyQ/T0Ks0ilDbsI/AAAAAAAACQs/qw6j0CXkybc/s400/066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-16063999614474235792012-02-18T13:59:00.001-05:002012-02-18T13:59:52.966-05:00Early bloomers....One of the earliest blooming shrubs we have on Cape Cod is this one...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjNREL16AAk/Tz_x6O9VAaI/AAAAAAAACPk/C3lfzU7ImU4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjNREL16AAk/Tz_x6O9VAaI/AAAAAAAACPk/C3lfzU7ImU4/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We may come across it in the woods, along an old farm trail or like this one, at a nature sanctuary. They always make me smile and although this year many things have been budding and blooming early, this one is right on time. It will bloom in mid February whether it is snowy or balmy. Many people assume is is an early forsythia and think no more about it but this special shrub was an honored plant in early native cultures as well as colonial ones here in New England.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqlGNjhPh7w/Tz_yf4Ig8MI/AAAAAAAACPs/ew7WAemJqpY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqlGNjhPh7w/Tz_yf4Ig8MI/AAAAAAAACPs/ew7WAemJqpY/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is a variety of witch hazel and this early blooming shrub is<i> Hamamelis vernalis, </i>which is easily cultivated. The native witch hazel shrubs bloom in late fall and early winter but most of the ones I've seen on the Cape bloom in February with one big exception in Bourne where there is a little grove of native witch hazel. Over the years the bark and twigs have been used to make teas and also cleansing agents to sterilize areas around wounds, etc. Click the link for <a href="http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Edible_Plants_Ramer_Silver_Weizmann/Pages/spp_page_witch_hazel.html">more uses and information about witch hazel.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAkFmSmWJh8/Tz_0IFVr1NI/AAAAAAAACP0/Mfr5dMfQf54/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAkFmSmWJh8/Tz_0IFVr1NI/AAAAAAAACP0/Mfr5dMfQf54/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is one plant worth cosying right up to no matter how cold it is outside because it smells just wonderful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtZSHpo2W5A/Tz_0WBQJkBI/AAAAAAAACP8/2n3Me7OZjIs/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtZSHpo2W5A/Tz_0WBQJkBI/AAAAAAAACP8/2n3Me7OZjIs/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It blossoms for a couple of weeks and then forms some funky seed pods that can actually "toss" their seeds when split open.<br />
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If you're out and about, especially in areas that were once farmland, keep your eyes--and nose--open for a sighting or scenting of this wonderful harbinger of spring.Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-68246661349698547572012-02-14T16:58:00.000-05:002012-02-14T16:58:13.768-05:00Happy Valentine's DayThought I'd just share some nice Cape photos...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKiUr2kJ9K0/TzrYKSB9vsI/AAAAAAAACO0/rEycRaw5RDw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKiUr2kJ9K0/TzrYKSB9vsI/AAAAAAAACO0/rEycRaw5RDw/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPAzM1WwOL8/TzrYiTbT0KI/AAAAAAAACPE/32awcONMbLE/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPAzM1WwOL8/TzrYiTbT0KI/AAAAAAAACPE/32awcONMbLE/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXjLf_WrKtA/TzrYk01bVJI/AAAAAAAACPU/83mdQBeI7xI/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXjLf_WrKtA/TzrYk01bVJI/AAAAAAAACPU/83mdQBeI7xI/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pspQGFeCxlo/TzrYmFyVySI/AAAAAAAACPc/gQvkwFOwbE4/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pspQGFeCxlo/TzrYmFyVySI/AAAAAAAACPc/gQvkwFOwbE4/s400/018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And from me to you ;-)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hpfcbg0bU/TzrYdtabJ3I/AAAAAAAACO8/vUFR062bK48/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hpfcbg0bU/TzrYdtabJ3I/AAAAAAAACO8/vUFR062bK48/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-3078627972859950242012-02-10T07:28:00.000-05:002012-02-10T07:28:15.845-05:00Brant geeseBrant geese are locally common on the Cape throughout the winter and their arrival in our coastal waters in the late fall is a sure sign that the seasons are changing. Found in areas where there is a good amount of eel grass brant can be found in many of our south facing beach areas, especially around estuaries. You may also find them in marshy areas and occasionally grazing in grassy areas. These brant were hanging out with the gulls at the Sandwich Marina on the canal on a recent blustery day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IzHijMNfVI/TzUIYyOwAxI/AAAAAAAACOU/yruQvM7Ob1U/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IzHijMNfVI/TzUIYyOwAxI/AAAAAAAACOU/yruQvM7Ob1U/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Many people see brant and just think they are Canada geese but if you look closely you will see they have a dark front whereas the Canada goose has a light front (photo by NaturePhoto.com)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">.<img height="301" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRfVifsaNB1m4Hs9-ej9lKqwLu6HIIW3nMHC_2sPciuu1zvjmFolQ" width="400" /></div>Canada geese are also quite a bit larger which is easy to see if you see the birds together. Imagine a herring gull and a Canada goose standing next to each other and what the medium size bird between them might be and you will have an idea about the size of a brant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0SJhBnpFX4/TzUMiR6HEcI/AAAAAAAACOs/Csyr6EEBhe8/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0SJhBnpFX4/TzUMiR6HEcI/AAAAAAAACOs/Csyr6EEBhe8/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here you can see them in relation to the gulls around them.<br />
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Brant don't nest here but are arctic nesters, like many of our winter visitors. They come here because our coastal waters often stay open and their favorite foods are plentiful They will eat seaweeds, especially sea lettuce if their favored eel grass is in short supply. Back in the 1930s when eel grass crashed the brant population crashed along with it but they have steadily been increasing in numbers and are once again flourishing.<br />
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And if you are an old school birder, yes, brant used to be spelled brandt ;-)Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-17404067863854375002012-02-05T08:00:00.001-05:002012-02-05T08:05:06.196-05:00Watching an owl released to freedom...A large female<a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/wildlife/index.php?subject=Birds:%20Species&id=54"> great horned owl</a> was hit by a Mack truck on December 31 on Rt. 151 in Falmouth but lived to tell the tale. She was pretty banged up but with the help of the<a href="http://www.falmouthmass.us/depart.php?depkey=animal"> Falmouth Animal Control Officer</a> and Cape Wildlife Center she has been nursed back to health.<br />
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Over the last few years the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/work/">Cape Wildlife Center</a> has teamed up with the <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Long_Pasture/index.php">Mass Audubon Long Pasture Sanctuary</a> to have a few public releases along with informative natural history programs and each release and program attracts more and more people.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Ian Ives of the Long Pasture Sanctuary gave a talk and slide show at the Falmouth Library to a house that was so packed some people got stuck listening to it out in the hall. After the program we drove over to the Ashumet Holly Reservation to watch the owl get released.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-koJkpLEDctM/Ty56VfcNVOI/AAAAAAAACNU/IdRT4GiJaXY/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-koJkpLEDctM/Ty56VfcNVOI/AAAAAAAACNU/IdRT4GiJaXY/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The almost full moon had risen above the trees as the van arrived and Dr. Bob carried the container that had the owl in it. By keeping the owl confined in a small, dark space she was able to remain calm and not injure herself by flapping around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfKMARq7wWE/Ty56rYwXP9I/AAAAAAAACNc/QxdrE_sxzZ8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfKMARq7wWE/Ty56rYwXP9I/AAAAAAAACNc/QxdrE_sxzZ8/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We were asked to stand back and give the owl room and we were also told that the owl could be unpredictable when let out of the box...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBTW61d18OY/Ty568Ae6kdI/AAAAAAAACNk/CDzb2W6hZjQ/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBTW61d18OY/Ty568Ae6kdI/AAAAAAAACNk/CDzb2W6hZjQ/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Everyone's eyes were on the blue box (in the center) to see what would happen when the box was opened...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSdD9UqlBt0/Ty57J1q4lHI/AAAAAAAACNs/vJByRSLQ5vY/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSdD9UqlBt0/Ty57J1q4lHI/AAAAAAAACNs/vJByRSLQ5vY/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>She may have been in confinement for a month and a half but this lady knew just what to do....fly away! That's her in the center of the photo....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n32lSUcfDy8/Ty57a7g9rDI/AAAAAAAACN0/BsxS3JUerwk/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n32lSUcfDy8/Ty57a7g9rDI/AAAAAAAACN0/BsxS3JUerwk/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We were told she might land in a tree to assess her situation and her surroundings but she chose the roof of the house in the distance...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGq2qhixNw/Ty57pIEb-EI/AAAAAAAACN8/EFfw4VIcRJ4/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGq2qhixNw/Ty57pIEb-EI/AAAAAAAACN8/EFfw4VIcRJ4/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>At first she kept her back turned to us but then...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uxzFi_VejI/Ty57zf4BXeI/AAAAAAAACOE/ODyfKgeKjzI/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uxzFi_VejI/Ty57zf4BXeI/AAAAAAAACOE/ODyfKgeKjzI/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>she turned to look at all of us as we all looked at her....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rAnFHmf7q4/Ty579m4ModI/AAAAAAAACOM/RYj2KN9YXJk/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rAnFHmf7q4/Ty579m4ModI/AAAAAAAACOM/RYj2KN9YXJk/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As we left, under the light of the rising moon, my little grandsons skipped along singing, "We saw an owl, we saw an owl...." and I think the rest of us sort of felt the same way. Not only that, we saw an owl that had been rescued and released and her release helped educate people about both wild birds and animals but the efforts if takes to rehabilitate and care for them as well.Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-74833692304473306422012-01-31T15:22:00.000-05:002012-01-31T15:22:49.813-05:00The greening of January?I'm all for greening up stuff. I love green plants and I love green living...<br />
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However....something about the warmth and the accompanying plant growth this January just seems wrong...<br />
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My strawberries are putting out new leaves and new runners...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOZpcp8Hz_Q/TyhMbHXB-1I/AAAAAAAACM0/f8xoIPqkNsE/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOZpcp8Hz_Q/TyhMbHXB-1I/AAAAAAAACM0/f8xoIPqkNsE/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dandelions are popping up in my yard as well...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ecZe5sZX3g/TyhMmZaCXZI/AAAAAAAACM8/jckXIV47574/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ecZe5sZX3g/TyhMmZaCXZI/AAAAAAAACM8/jckXIV47574/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Tansy is growing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8GEBYQ_DhTQ/TyhNGN0syvI/AAAAAAAACNE/qw5obMybae8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8GEBYQ_DhTQ/TyhNGN0syvI/AAAAAAAACNE/qw5obMybae8/s400/003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>And maple is budding...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojm6Ad5FI3Q/TyhNVHIdQPI/AAAAAAAACNM/CEB4fA0ewQU/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojm6Ad5FI3Q/TyhNVHIdQPI/AAAAAAAACNM/CEB4fA0ewQU/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Don't get me wrong, I'm all for spring...but this just doesn't feel right to me...<br />
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What a weird winter, huh?Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-88608336131576897142012-01-30T16:41:00.000-05:002012-01-30T16:41:09.434-05:00To Provincetown and back...We took the day to drive down Cape and see what we could see....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1x-QGu9XFY/TycMRAshu_I/AAAAAAAACLs/-Q62ymFqQo4/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1x-QGu9XFY/TycMRAshu_I/AAAAAAAACLs/-Q62ymFqQo4/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>the sky and the light over Fort Hill and Nauset Marsh were just beautiful...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kONKaiBIhk0/TycMgM-XZYI/AAAAAAAACL0/UqJxv1oJ-tg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kONKaiBIhk0/TycMgM-XZYI/AAAAAAAACL0/UqJxv1oJ-tg/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Coast Guard Beach was incredibly windy but gorgeous...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ssonvNRlUQ/TycMzoGHUBI/AAAAAAAACL8/BQ0CyNVsG7k/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ssonvNRlUQ/TycMzoGHUBI/AAAAAAAACL8/BQ0CyNVsG7k/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This little tree on the bluff was pretty wind blown...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhVmIRBNKCk/TycNIQHu3rI/AAAAAAAACME/nlDN2r9P2m4/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhVmIRBNKCk/TycNIQHu3rI/AAAAAAAACME/nlDN2r9P2m4/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The view from Marconi in Wellfleet was breathtaking...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiOSjKPMXsQ/TycNYv-DrGI/AAAAAAAACMM/VNgBn72cs5E/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiOSjKPMXsQ/TycNYv-DrGI/AAAAAAAACMM/VNgBn72cs5E/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And by the time we reached Herring Cove in Provincetown the sun was shining...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06ykP085KEQ/TycNoL5rSLI/AAAAAAAACMU/PR4hOkLOCks/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-06ykP085KEQ/TycNoL5rSLI/AAAAAAAACMU/PR4hOkLOCks/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was quite a bit of surf but the gulls didn't mind...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xKB7sA_Dug/TycN6MBhFvI/AAAAAAAACMc/4jEd2mY8tN8/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xKB7sA_Dug/TycN6MBhFvI/AAAAAAAACMc/4jEd2mY8tN8/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At Race Point the wind practically knocked us off our feet...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHrWVX8LY28/TycOHyf8ggI/AAAAAAAACMk/jPNmxN7b64g/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHrWVX8LY28/TycOHyf8ggI/AAAAAAAACMk/jPNmxN7b64g/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got sandblasted a bit but the view was worth it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28gdGNvUFKs/TycOV6PJL-I/AAAAAAAACMs/WpVoaN9ZRZg/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28gdGNvUFKs/TycOV6PJL-I/AAAAAAAACMs/WpVoaN9ZRZg/s400/033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a day!</div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-14385729120352409892012-01-24T11:33:00.000-05:002012-01-24T11:33:58.497-05:00Beautiful foggy morning...Last night it warmed up and rained and our snow vanished into mist...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_XgCjPwSaM/Tx7b8hcnjTI/AAAAAAAACKo/zJ7W8X2XBo8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_XgCjPwSaM/Tx7b8hcnjTI/AAAAAAAACKo/zJ7W8X2XBo8/s400/018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>At the beach you could only see the water close up...even the gulls were mostly hidden in the mist<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrxnM0G6184/Tx7cNSTFD5I/AAAAAAAACKw/twbXdsOiEZs/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrxnM0G6184/Tx7cNSTFD5I/AAAAAAAACKw/twbXdsOiEZs/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The black ducks in the marsh continued to dabble...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-VZBMipDi4/Tx7ca6JlzHI/AAAAAAAACK4/YZWbOwrKpR4/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-VZBMipDi4/Tx7ca6JlzHI/AAAAAAAACK4/YZWbOwrKpR4/s400/025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and the overall view was pretty subdued and lovely...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouge9zfzDp8/Tx7cnRm30VI/AAAAAAAACLA/OZLAH93zfWg/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouge9zfzDp8/Tx7cnRm30VI/AAAAAAAACLA/OZLAH93zfWg/s400/027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The harbors were socked in...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g2Wpt6_vQs/Tx7cyIfwZpI/AAAAAAAACLI/kiTWEMjhtS0/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_g2Wpt6_vQs/Tx7cyIfwZpI/AAAAAAAACLI/kiTWEMjhtS0/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and even the fishing boats looked like ghosts in the distance<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OKMkCJy82k/Tx7c-E5y-QI/AAAAAAAACLQ/gaKRqOPBFMk/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OKMkCJy82k/Tx7c-E5y-QI/AAAAAAAACLQ/gaKRqOPBFMk/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even as I write this the sun is burning off the fog and soon all this mist and all that snow will be long forgotten...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUReoLjnzk8/Tx7dPCDpk2I/AAAAAAAACLY/SkFs0VACQac/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUReoLjnzk8/Tx7dPCDpk2I/AAAAAAAACLY/SkFs0VACQac/s400/032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>but for just a little while there was magic at the beach on a January morning....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-43220717254322947322012-01-21T10:01:00.000-05:002012-01-21T10:01:11.940-05:00The first snow....We've waited a long time to see more than a dusting of snow here on the Cape but this morning it began as I got to the beach...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDXiogc24j8/TxrSL6JvTqI/AAAAAAAACKA/20jtanfOWas/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDXiogc24j8/TxrSL6JvTqI/AAAAAAAACKA/20jtanfOWas/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There wasn't a single other person around and it was still and silent except for a few gulls....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0653yHyrz4/TxrSXjr7Z8I/AAAAAAAACKI/ybpIgAZXo3k/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0653yHyrz4/TxrSXjr7Z8I/AAAAAAAACKI/ybpIgAZXo3k/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>a small flock of buffleheads...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9Tc2w-46bE/TxrSf_LJe0I/AAAAAAAACKQ/FRZYZgTfJ5M/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9Tc2w-46bE/TxrSf_LJe0I/AAAAAAAACKQ/FRZYZgTfJ5M/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and the quiet lapping of the water against the frozen sand..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j072wqnA3ys/TxrSqneoORI/AAAAAAAACKY/gZV63wIWeZA/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j072wqnA3ys/TxrSqneoORI/AAAAAAAACKY/gZV63wIWeZA/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>At a different beach along the way there were empty benches and empty docks...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHnbAnzeDvA/TxrS2RT-PgI/AAAAAAAACKg/V1ap_lhNa48/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHnbAnzeDvA/TxrS2RT-PgI/AAAAAAAACKg/V1ap_lhNa48/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I love these quiet mornings when I can pretend that I am alone and that the beach is here just for me, even if it is for just a short time.<br />
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Have a happy snow day today!Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-62126667177484792582012-01-18T07:53:00.000-05:002012-01-18T07:53:07.035-05:00Finally....some ice and snow! Not much but hey, the way this winter is going....this may be it!<br />
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On the south side we didn't get much...just a dusting, really<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fx0xuyhvfpM/Txa_YQOj0KI/AAAAAAAACJE/XkBjjhC0QD4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fx0xuyhvfpM/Txa_YQOj0KI/AAAAAAAACJE/XkBjjhC0QD4/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>but when we drove a few miles to the north side we found ice in Barnstable Harbor...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niUN9IvqyRg/Txa_npBepiI/AAAAAAAACJM/u8Ra6iQFg8Q/s1600/002+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niUN9IvqyRg/Txa_npBepiI/AAAAAAAACJM/u8Ra6iQFg8Q/s400/002+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>some actual snow on the beach...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqF19omV--c/Txa_0GwvxzI/AAAAAAAACJU/KzMAwV-D48Q/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OqF19omV--c/Txa_0GwvxzI/AAAAAAAACJU/KzMAwV-D48Q/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and some lovely views....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Wr3sYbNOA/Txa_-JI2qDI/AAAAAAAACJc/h9paHD3AJCg/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Wr3sYbNOA/Txa_-JI2qDI/AAAAAAAACJc/h9paHD3AJCg/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>even the marsh had an icing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdOALXeyDE/TxbAHoxJsSI/AAAAAAAACJk/_efCAfvGKjI/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdOALXeyDE/TxbAHoxJsSI/AAAAAAAACJk/_efCAfvGKjI/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>but that didn't keep this guy from heading out to check his lobster pots...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fOCfORDduA/TxbAT7XlZjI/AAAAAAAACJs/Y6e8LEF_JYQ/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fOCfORDduA/TxbAT7XlZjI/AAAAAAAACJs/Y6e8LEF_JYQ/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>as we were leaving the beach I took this shot...is there anything lonelier looking than an empty lifeguard chair in winter?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXAczE0k0LE/TxbAkqfClWI/AAAAAAAACJ0/Mv-16hoP_tM/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXAczE0k0LE/TxbAkqfClWI/AAAAAAAACJ0/Mv-16hoP_tM/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-11482942481735134432012-01-14T17:15:00.000-05:002012-01-14T17:15:31.240-05:00Sunny but cold and windy....We have been so spoiled by warm weather this winter that a windy cold day like today on the beach is almost a shock. Yesterday was much windier but today was.....brrrrrrrrrr! It was so bright and sunny though that I decided to just head down Cape to see what I could see...<br />
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First stop was First Encounter Beach in Eastham. Can we say frigid with a brisk wind blowing off the bay? It sure was pretty though...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-typrMugtt2M/TxH7viIQVGI/AAAAAAAACH0/DvOyahedBmI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-typrMugtt2M/TxH7viIQVGI/AAAAAAAACH0/DvOyahedBmI/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even the dunes and wind blown cedars were pretty....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0mCbXXu8nw/TxH8GVr0dpI/AAAAAAAACH8/5vqw-XdiFhs/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0mCbXXu8nw/TxH8GVr0dpI/AAAAAAAACH8/5vqw-XdiFhs/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and I'm a sucker for a pathway that leads to the sea....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6JSiDTl6cU8/TxH8RzNNAPI/AAAAAAAACIE/MpLKJu_K8lw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6JSiDTl6cU8/TxH8RzNNAPI/AAAAAAAACIE/MpLKJu_K8lw/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>then off to Coast Guard Beach...where it was also just plain cold...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFpq2ZXlVdA/TxH8mGWNWmI/AAAAAAAACIM/Ez5iJBMU3g8/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFpq2ZXlVdA/TxH8mGWNWmI/AAAAAAAACIM/Ez5iJBMU3g8/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There weren't too many long distance beach walkers but there were a few...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RZF1KjcSXk/TxH82s9NZ-I/AAAAAAAACIU/ALz-Pt3zC7k/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RZF1KjcSXk/TxH82s9NZ-I/AAAAAAAACIU/ALz-Pt3zC7k/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The sun was so bright it almost hurt my eyes....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpB59daC1Ug/TxH9QTQGiBI/AAAAAAAACIc/g3HuKaJp8zs/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpB59daC1Ug/TxH9QTQGiBI/AAAAAAAACIc/g3HuKaJp8zs/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It was low tide in the marsh....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LazwJLXNCvI/TxH9bTY2meI/AAAAAAAACIk/1AGurio7XAk/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LazwJLXNCvI/TxH9bTY2meI/AAAAAAAACIk/1AGurio7XAk/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the way back home I stopped at Corporation Beach in Dennis where the gulls were all hanging out on the sand....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx3nyvh5DTk/TxH9tXzvj5I/AAAAAAAACIs/INSwZoQG8_8/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx3nyvh5DTk/TxH9tXzvj5I/AAAAAAAACIs/INSwZoQG8_8/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>A few came by to see me, hoping I had food I think. The minute I opened the car door about a hundred gulls were on the wing and on the way to see me up close and personal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xb8FaMFu9c/TxH-BotCMYI/AAAAAAAACI0/yaOMVWzupr0/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xb8FaMFu9c/TxH-BotCMYI/AAAAAAAACI0/yaOMVWzupr0/s400/032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This one looked at me from one side and then turned to look at me from the other side...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhlnTPkFR38/TxH-QmXnMYI/AAAAAAAACI8/CnfxcbsEAo8/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhlnTPkFR38/TxH-QmXnMYI/AAAAAAAACI8/CnfxcbsEAo8/s400/031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It was a cold morning, but a beautiful one and well worth venturing out for....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-55826980743165441652012-01-11T12:08:00.000-05:002012-01-11T12:08:50.189-05:00Of Winter Robins....Back in the day the robins flew south for the winter and didn't reappear until the first of March, often being the first harbingers of spring....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nFBuSsQHRk/Tw2-ek_DoNI/AAAAAAAACHM/ov-HVPac81I/s1600/robin+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nFBuSsQHRk/Tw2-ek_DoNI/AAAAAAAACHM/ov-HVPac81I/s400/robin+jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We rarely saw robins in winter until the late 70s and early 80s when it began to be noted that larger, chunkier robins seemed to be arriving in December and January. After a while it was determined that these were not our own summer robins but robins that traveled down from farther north to feast on our berries and enjoy our usually milder winters. If the winter was very harsh these robins continued south but many years they hung around.<br />
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Here on the Cape we have many things northern robins enjoy besides a milder climate. We have tons of berry laden bushes and trees and robins love berries. They especially love cedar but will move on to holly berries as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex3l6h3MKh4/Tw3AJpWkoNI/AAAAAAAACHU/BYv6yItMIQY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex3l6h3MKh4/Tw3AJpWkoNI/AAAAAAAACHU/BYv6yItMIQY/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Some years there are so many winter robins that huge roosts of many thousands form, especially in the Sandwich and Barnstable area. Other years, like this year, there are lots and lots of robins around but the roosts are not quite as large. Some people speculate that this is because there is plenty of food available over a broad area so the birds spread out more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjP4ENJt6iE/Tw3As7Lp6-I/AAAAAAAACHc/McluekrlqqY/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjP4ENJt6iE/Tw3As7Lp6-I/AAAAAAAACHc/McluekrlqqY/s400/104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>If you have been out this week near any sort of trees or shrubs with berries you know there are lots of robins around. People ask me a lot if they are robins that are back early or what is bringing them here. No, they are not back early--those thinner, smaller and migration weary robins will be back as usual the first week of March. These heftier guys will either hang around while the weather is good for them and return to their own homes in the spring or they will head farther south if the weather hits a cold patch here. Like many wintering species, these birds are pretty opportunistic and will go where the food is and where the roosting is safest and warmest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_Ai9G15J6Q/Tw3BdzR14QI/AAAAAAAACHk/ZGt1YkhO_PY/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_Ai9G15J6Q/Tw3BdzR14QI/AAAAAAAACHk/ZGt1YkhO_PY/s400/106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the meantime, enjoy the ongoing robin show for it is in full force right now with dozens and dozens of birds showing up in lots of yards and other places.<br />
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Keep your eyes and ears open for often they are accompanied by other berry eating birds like the lovely cedar waxwings...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b4u-Z24Bkk/Tw3B6xLULBI/AAAAAAAACHs/ZCLh00Dktu4/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b4u-Z24Bkk/Tw3B6xLULBI/AAAAAAAACHs/ZCLh00Dktu4/s400/095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I hope this helps answer some of those robins in winter questions....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-30141456579613786702012-01-07T15:09:00.000-05:002012-01-07T15:09:49.996-05:00Of Ducks and Swans....Winter is a great time to get close up looks at many of our more common ducks and swans and some of the less common ones, too...<br />
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like these gadwalls...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq9l2ksn5Fw/Twiku7clE0I/AAAAAAAACGE/KgVUv9w7QZQ/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq9l2ksn5Fw/Twiku7clE0I/AAAAAAAACGE/KgVUv9w7QZQ/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These swans and mallards are much friendlier...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeXda5foSDE/Twik6WXfUYI/AAAAAAAACGM/w8_l1_TzRfs/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeXda5foSDE/Twik6WXfUYI/AAAAAAAACGM/w8_l1_TzRfs/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>in fact they hurried right over--probably hoping for a handout...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qllkrq9whB8/TwilE1rNdmI/AAAAAAAACGU/4Uo9O-0-NW0/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qllkrq9whB8/TwilE1rNdmI/AAAAAAAACGU/4Uo9O-0-NW0/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>as they got closer, however, they ran into an obstacle...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG_rwP7O1Tg/TwilRVDBoNI/AAAAAAAACGc/hSJOqClOdF0/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG_rwP7O1Tg/TwilRVDBoNI/AAAAAAAACGc/hSJOqClOdF0/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There was a thin sheen of ice at the edge of the pond and you can see the swan above checking it out--great reflections, too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WRjvOkdXtE/Twiliyl4ODI/AAAAAAAACGk/LJA5SYlyMh0/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WRjvOkdXtE/Twiliyl4ODI/AAAAAAAACGk/LJA5SYlyMh0/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I had a lot of fun photographing the various combinations of birds and reflections...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFNM1jrpSLs/TwilyZq_67I/AAAAAAAACGs/xER7XaR1rMc/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFNM1jrpSLs/TwilyZq_67I/AAAAAAAACGs/xER7XaR1rMc/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>the one above is probably my favorite--it has such an abstract quality about it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vy-kOpEEa1U/Twil_MBIUoI/AAAAAAAACG0/ufGeIJ9FKQc/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vy-kOpEEa1U/Twil_MBIUoI/AAAAAAAACG0/ufGeIJ9FKQc/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>but then there's the simplicity in this one above and the one below....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTbj6mwmXT0/TwimMgPbFuI/AAAAAAAACG8/A7xd7c34j90/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTbj6mwmXT0/TwimMgPbFuI/AAAAAAAACG8/A7xd7c34j90/s400/026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and just think, when I got there this is all I expected...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHclQSYB1sU/TwimXhiwxfI/AAAAAAAACHE/CNucnkCT3lI/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHclQSYB1sU/TwimXhiwxfI/AAAAAAAACHE/CNucnkCT3lI/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>What a beautiful day it's been today--I hope you got to get outside for some of it!Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-9012905916851843772012-01-03T13:50:00.000-05:002012-01-03T13:50:21.762-05:00Unseasonably...sluggish around here....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pEMbP81GVeg/TwNNjFXSP0I/AAAAAAAACF8/fYzLcAK2qIk/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pEMbP81GVeg/TwNNjFXSP0I/AAAAAAAACF8/fYzLcAK2qIk/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I photographed this live slug yesterday morning--on January 2! Unheard of here on Cape Cod for this time of year. There have been lots of unseasonable sightings this year due to the warm weather. What all have you been seeing?Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-51734650926679638732012-01-02T15:27:00.000-05:002012-01-02T15:27:15.518-05:00Picture Perfect Morningat Sandy Neck...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILpfGaw-Wfg/TwIOt4nzLBI/AAAAAAAACE0/E7_GIEtSz1A/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILpfGaw-Wfg/TwIOt4nzLBI/AAAAAAAACE0/E7_GIEtSz1A/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ever since I was a little girl it has been one of my favorite beaches...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEZEAV76cZo/TwIO6fh5vwI/AAAAAAAACFA/OZXjWj4LlE8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEZEAV76cZo/TwIO6fh5vwI/AAAAAAAACFA/OZXjWj4LlE8/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even back in the day the snow/sand fences were there to keep the parking lot separate from the beach. You can walk along the beach into Sandwich toward the canal or you can walk back toward the tip of the neck to the point that protects Barnstable Harbor. In either direction you can walk for miles. The towns of Barnstable and Sandwich co-own this beach and I remember sitting up late at night waiting for my mother to come home to see if Barnstable had bought the land that extended out into the dunes and behind the great marsh. It was a long and hard battle and an expensive purchase and no one knew for sure which way the votes at town meeting would go.They had bought it! It was the largest piece of conservation land Barnstable had bought and managed at that time and today it is a true jewel in the Barnstable conservation and recreation system.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD4dr2Dx6bs/TwIPw6SV89I/AAAAAAAACFM/CWRVWJn4VF0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD4dr2Dx6bs/TwIPw6SV89I/AAAAAAAACFM/CWRVWJn4VF0/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even in winter the mystery and romance of the dunes lures walkers, horseback riders and hikers out to explore. The area is great for birding and other sighting of wildlife. Beware of hunters at certain times, however, for the area is also open to certain kinds of hunting. It is open as well to overland vehicles and campers, an agreement that irks some but has made huge supporters of the area in the larger community.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq5M48TmBe0/TwIQYLpKcnI/AAAAAAAACFY/y0eVxJKrQYQ/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq5M48TmBe0/TwIQYLpKcnI/AAAAAAAACFY/y0eVxJKrQYQ/s400/014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>When I was in high school and college I spent untold hours roaming in the dunes, sitting in the sun with friends sharing bad poetry and hopeful dreams. We talked, we napped, we drew pictures, we rolled down the dunes in the warm sand. In winter we hid in the dunes to stay warm on sunny but cold days, days we should have been in a math classroom or history classroom but we were out in nature's classroom instead. At least that's what we told ourselves and in many ways it was true. The dunes are wonderful in the summer of course but they take on a very different quality in the winter, a quality that reminds young minds of quests and queries and questions about the meaning of life, survival and death.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7KcfaDOG4/TwIRXjsoZbI/AAAAAAAACFk/0MUNER47400/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev7KcfaDOG4/TwIRXjsoZbI/AAAAAAAACFk/0MUNER47400/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Every time I walk on Sandy Neck there are layers and layers of memories of previous years, months and days spent walking here. And yet, as all good beach walkers know, no walk on the beach is quite the same as the one before, the one last year or 20 years ago....Like the birds flying above and the crabs buried below the beach is a living, breathing, ever changing thing....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8xiJjfQfBo/TwISGfQPO3I/AAAAAAAACFw/dmtSoMBxwhM/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8xiJjfQfBo/TwISGfQPO3I/AAAAAAAACFw/dmtSoMBxwhM/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Every visit is special but some days, like today, the morning is just picture perfect....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-40559447074969778272012-01-01T10:30:00.000-05:002012-01-01T10:30:24.862-05:00Happy New Year...from the beach...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhamo0mhwNY/TwB7ydMRMCI/AAAAAAAACEo/6n69gUgKavA/s1600/arlo+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhamo0mhwNY/TwB7ydMRMCI/AAAAAAAACEo/6n69gUgKavA/s400/arlo+and+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>form Arlo and me at Kalmus Beach this morning (with hubby John who took the photo) to usher in the first morning of the year....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-84412960214680007662011-12-29T09:27:00.000-05:002011-12-29T09:27:43.648-05:00Looking back on my Cape Cod nature year....Yep, it's that time of year when everyone is compiling lists and making promises and all that jazz and I have to admit I thought it might be fun to look back on some of my favorite pictures and nature experiences from the last year....<br />
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Every January I walk around Kalmus Beach in Hyannis whenever it is warm enough that the wind won't rip my face off....Last January was ridiculously warm and we saw lots of snow buntings on our morning walks. My little friend, Arlo, got lots of sniffing done as well and here is a shot of his cute fluffy pantaloonies. I think they add to the overall landscape, don't you?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ER9FtyYlWV0/Tvxz8nBwyfI/AAAAAAAACCM/RSdpcvl4m9k/s1600/DSC07136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ER9FtyYlWV0/Tvxz8nBwyfI/AAAAAAAACCM/RSdpcvl4m9k/s400/DSC07136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In February the ocean often is shining and glittery on sunny days....this view is at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Kb8kC_1Z2I/Tvx0rSawWPI/AAAAAAAACCY/SAMN4awWs2Y/s1600/DSC07287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Kb8kC_1Z2I/Tvx0rSawWPI/AAAAAAAACCY/SAMN4awWs2Y/s400/DSC07287.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In March I keep watch for the first sight of skunk cabbage....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASgqdIjXch0/Tvx1USIo2zI/AAAAAAAACCw/kCj-iqiu_h0/s1600/DSC07790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASgqdIjXch0/Tvx1USIo2zI/AAAAAAAACCw/kCj-iqiu_h0/s400/DSC07790.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In April I keep watch for mayflowers....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRndxKcOrV4/Tvx1o7OBAoI/AAAAAAAACC8/FELwZdXXGpE/s1600/DSC07991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRndxKcOrV4/Tvx1o7OBAoI/AAAAAAAACC8/FELwZdXXGpE/s400/DSC07991.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In May the first blossoms of red or swamp maple make me swoon...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n65ng0Guruw/Tvx15XzfxrI/AAAAAAAACDI/N8VA-E5Xcqo/s1600/DSC08194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n65ng0Guruw/Tvx15XzfxrI/AAAAAAAACDI/N8VA-E5Xcqo/s400/DSC08194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In June it begins to feel like summer may actually arrive....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6SIYzMp7UE/Tvx2c3lPiMI/AAAAAAAACDU/_Uqjzb_uaaI/s1600/DSC08927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6SIYzMp7UE/Tvx2c3lPiMI/AAAAAAAACDU/_Uqjzb_uaaI/s400/DSC08927.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In July I can't get enough sightings of butterflies...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDtMsupXn08/Tvx24-j29ZI/AAAAAAAACDg/Mczo_2Zu5Tw/s1600/DSC09355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDtMsupXn08/Tvx24-j29ZI/AAAAAAAACDg/Mczo_2Zu5Tw/s400/DSC09355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In August it seems like whales are everywhere...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA1p_4bNoWU/Tvx3Ke_6afI/AAAAAAAACDs/ycxiI9PHpCc/s1600/DSC09946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA1p_4bNoWU/Tvx3Ke_6afI/AAAAAAAACDs/ycxiI9PHpCc/s400/DSC09946.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In September sunsets are often spectacular...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxFLaV-GSu4/Tvx3bKYCOGI/AAAAAAAACD4/RK2JnbB16vM/s1600/DSC00526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxFLaV-GSu4/Tvx3bKYCOGI/AAAAAAAACD4/RK2JnbB16vM/s400/DSC00526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In October skies are often dramatic....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnYug8QAFs8/Tvx3tPe_lKI/AAAAAAAACEE/uqMpRP2ADYk/s1600/DSC01242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnYug8QAFs8/Tvx3tPe_lKI/AAAAAAAACEE/uqMpRP2ADYk/s400/DSC01242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In November there are few people on the beaches....even on nice days....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRk_mIDCQ9Y/Tvx3_yTVDkI/AAAAAAAACEQ/HPf_RaSMvQ8/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRk_mIDCQ9Y/Tvx3_yTVDkI/AAAAAAAACEQ/HPf_RaSMvQ8/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>and in December young hawks are easy to see in leafless trees...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxXWBF9IuY/Tvx4Scx5VbI/AAAAAAAACEc/gBPh0gzLtIM/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxXWBF9IuY/Tvx4Scx5VbI/AAAAAAAACEc/gBPh0gzLtIM/s400/018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sot there's a very quick and far from complete spin through my nature year....I will post more over the next few days...including more about the highlights that I put aside today for a more in depth look.<br />
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What was your favorite nature sighting or experience in 2011?Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-62919237403624982092011-12-22T13:55:00.000-05:002011-12-22T13:55:29.445-05:00One Fat SquirrelMany people are telling me they are worried about the squirrels, that there aren't enough acorns for them all and I just want to say....<br />
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This squirrel is not suffering....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWvrWznQxa8/TvN8KTVYfwI/AAAAAAAACA4/yGL5mJwAQmE/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWvrWznQxa8/TvN8KTVYfwI/AAAAAAAACA4/yGL5mJwAQmE/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>All the squirrels in my neighborhood look like this right now--fat and happy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIve5X49HeA/TvN8XQ97R1I/AAAAAAAACBE/JiVo-nwMLWk/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIve5X49HeA/TvN8XQ97R1I/AAAAAAAACBE/JiVo-nwMLWk/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This view looks across the street into my neighbor's driveway but you can see several of my feeders here--and the NEW baffle I put up to keep the fat and happy squirrels off my feeders. The squirrels have all been looking in the window at me since I put it up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsAhcyydK24/TvN8wcrX7-I/AAAAAAAACBQ/Xcv9qsGxfUY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsAhcyydK24/TvN8wcrX7-I/AAAAAAAACBQ/Xcv9qsGxfUY/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I think they may be plotting against me....in the meantime I don't think any of them are in danger of starvation, do you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjrRjq0j5n4/TvN8-N_TC_I/AAAAAAAACBc/94viP21vrnE/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjrRjq0j5n4/TvN8-N_TC_I/AAAAAAAACBc/94viP21vrnE/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I think this one is the fattest one I've seen....Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715025544889576313.post-60553095165326850362011-12-13T08:19:00.001-05:002011-12-13T16:58:51.708-05:00Giving a gift of nature....<i>The following piece, written by me, Mary Richmond, was published in the Cape Codder on December 9, 2011.</i><br />
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This piece has had a lot of positive response and since it is not posted online by the Cape Codder I am posting it here.<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Every year we hear the same complaints about the over commercialization of our winter holidays and yet every year folks still head off to the mall and fill bags full of all sorts of things they hope will make their friends and loved ones happy, even if it is only for a minute or so. We all hope to find a gift that is meaningful and that will stand the test of time but it seems to get harder and harder to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Maybe we’re just looking in the wrong places. It really isn’t all that hard to find long lasting, meaningful gifts, especially if we just look outside our own back doors instead of in the advertising flyers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dK7MSrxrxmk/TudQZrjcvjI/AAAAAAAACAE/zgzu8SO1rVg/s1600/DSC00971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dK7MSrxrxmk/TudQZrjcvjI/AAAAAAAACAE/zgzu8SO1rVg/s400/DSC00971.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> It’s true that technological gifts are tops on many people’s lists but these days most of the nature guides come in an “app” or application form that can be loaded up on a phone, tablet or laptop. Many birders carry all sorts of reference materials on their phones these days, including e-books that help them find great places to hike and look for birds. Young people love these sorts of things and since many of them are doing their learning on computers and tablets in school they are more likely to look for info there than in books. I know, I know, we old school-ers love our books and thumbing through pages but as a now aging man once said, “The times, they are a changing…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> For those looking to give nature books as gifts there are many good ones to choose from, whether you are looking for a classic like Henry Beston’s “Outermost House” or Bob Finch’s wonderful new pocket sized book “A Cape Cod Notebook” there’s lots of good fireside reading out there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tV_ve5kNQZk/TudQjC5lfwI/AAAAAAAACAM/5cUBl7F26PA/s1600/DSC00982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tV_ve5kNQZk/TudQjC5lfwI/AAAAAAAACAM/5cUBl7F26PA/s400/DSC00982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> But what about a gift that actually includes getting out in nature instead of reading about it or watching a video about it? Family memberships to any of our nature related organizations and museums make great gifts and are often something young families put off because they can’t afford it. Don’t forget that many local land trusts also offer memberships and also offer free walks for families throughout the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> There are books filled with maps for bike riders and walkers, kayakers and hikers as well. Why not add a gift certificate for a walk or bike ride once a month? A friend of mine does something like this for her parents with home cooked meals and I thought, what a great excuse to get together once a month and have a great meal as well as a nice visit. Why not do the same sort of thing with a grandchild or other child? Imagine if they were taken on a different nature walk with a favorite adult throughout the year? That would be fun and enriching for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HZa-1j1-qU/TudQtZxBsHI/AAAAAAAACAU/dlg2hpnME4w/s1600/DSC05484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HZa-1j1-qU/TudQtZxBsHI/AAAAAAAACAU/dlg2hpnME4w/s400/DSC05484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Nature is filled with free gifts right outside our doors and windows. You can buy a family, child or older friend a bird feeder or bird house or better yet, make one with them to hang outside their window. Teach a child how to make prints from leaves, grasses and seeds or learn together to make pictures with seaweeds, using their natural glues to adhere them to paper. Make a calendar using photos of your favorite outdoor places, plants, butterflies or birds. This would be especially nice to do with photos of your year’s walks so maybe plan this sort of thing for next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> While you’re at it, why not make plans to take a special walk in a new place each month with your sweetie? Leave the phone at home and enjoy a special time together. Take your mom or dad, your grandma or your uncle. Explore a town conservation area you’ve never been to. Exploring nature together is truly a gift that keeps on giving. And, it’s free. Imagine that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5yrJqCTGXo/TudQ1-a5nlI/AAAAAAAACAc/Q4nB3VBsMuw/s1600/DSC07857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5yrJqCTGXo/TudQ1-a5nlI/AAAAAAAACAc/Q4nB3VBsMuw/s400/DSC07857.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div>Mary Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987381109911597964noreply@blogger.com3