Posted on

From East Glen to the Berkshires

Memorial Day Weekend, 2022 to June 5th

Hummingbirds are the only species of bird that can fly backward, and their closest relative are swifts!

6 Spices of hummingbirds in Massachusetts:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Allen’s Hummingbird

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird

 

The return of the Wild Turkey to New England is a marvelous success story. Once all but extinct from Massachusetts, this iconic bird can be found just about anywhere—woods, suburbs, and even cities.

Red Tail Hawk. This is the most widespread and familiar large hawk in North America, bulky and broad-winged, designed for effortless soaring. An inhabitant of open country, it is commonly seen perched on roadside poles or sailing over fields and woods. Although adults usually can be recognized by the trademark reddish-brown tail, the rest of their plumage can be quite variable, especially west of the Mississippi: Western Red-tails can range from blackish to rufous-brown to nearly white.
Probably an An Orchard Orb-Weaver. Unfortunately his web was at the nesting site of a sparrow.

an image of a milkweed pod. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.  Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. Milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle and their populations decline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

“If the string breaks, then we try another piece of string.”

How do you spell ‘love’?”
“You don’t spell it…you feel it.”

 

“Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”
 For me, it’s driving over the Sagamore Bridge in an unusual heavy snow storm to reach Chatham a drive of over 90 miles, before a special store closes .  The owner, a pleasant women,  was getting ready to secure the doors over an hour early due to weather, when I explained what I was here for. She smiled and whispered with a friendly grin, “come in”.  You must have someone special at home to drive in this weather under these circumstances and for so many miles. I didn’t have to answer, she saw my reply in my eyes.  As she packaged my treasure, she wished me a safe trip back.  I said Happy Holidays, and she replied back the same. As I was walking out the door, she explained how she was suppose to close earlier in the day but lost track of time.  I was glad she didn’t.

December 25th. “A hug is always the right size.”