Storm Grayson 2018

High winds and lots of snow left my bird feeders in need of repair. So, a temporary fix is needed as soon as possible. In the mean time, lets see what we have going on in the back yard. An upside down coal scuttle and split log will be the feeder for now. Toss some Black oil sunflower seeds ( high concentration of oil, which is especially important in the winter) and enjoy the view.

At rare sight until recently in SE Massachusetts, the Red-bellied Woodpecker makes a grand appearance.

As annoying as they can be, while dressed for winter, the European Starling, below, is covered in what seems to be sparkling white spots during winter.

Northern Cardinals below, hve reputation of getting more people to bird watch than any other bird. Everyone recognizes the shade of red you can’t take your eyes off. Did you know: Its not unusual to see a male cardinal attacking its reflection in a window, car mirror, or shiny bumper fiercely defending their territory against any intruders. A female below, shares the seed with other birds.

November 6, 2017March 29, 2018

Out the window

One good thing living in North Dighton country side, you don’t have to go to far for some wonderful nature viewing. Just look out your window, it comes to you. These images were all within a few hours.

November 2, 2017October 25, 2018

Kim’s Friends

For Kim, my youngest daughter who bought a beautiful brand new Toyota. From the dealership to my house is abut 13.2 miles. At about the 11 mile marker, with less than 20 miles on the car, a large deer greeted her front end. Not a pretty site for Kim or the deer.

October 10, 2017November 6, 2017

Separation Anxiety ?

Mayflower II is owned by Plimoth Plantation and is undergoing a multi-year restoration in the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport. The restoration of the nearly 60-year-old wooden ship is being carried out over several years with the project scheduled for completion in 2019. The purpose is to prepare the ship for the 400th anniversary in 2020 of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620. So, below I added a few images to let you refresh your memory.

September 30, 2017November 6, 2017

Dighton Rock State Park (read more here)

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

From The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Dighton Rock State Park. The kids seemed to be bored at this park. Not much to see they say. They didn’t seem interested in going back. A dog owner with his dog unleashed didn’t make the adventure any less painfull as one of my granddaughters is frightened by dogs. (dog owners, please follow the rules on leashed pets, so we can all enjoy the park). So, after some noisily exhaled sighs, and the promise of Simcock Farms ice cream, they relented and off we went. This time, we were going to look at the park different, as any young aspiring scientist might do, determined not to return until we took in what Nature had to offer us. Below image, the tapestry of grass, trees and sunlight becomes quite beautiful indeed. The eastern milk snake, below, has brownish colors that help it to hide under dry leaves. (They pretend to be what they are not. Some snakes, butterflies and moths use this type of camouflage.) Later that evening I thought it be advised to educate the girls on distinguishing venomous from non-venomous snakes. As you can see, the milk snake may resemble the copper head snake or other venomous snakes. We want to be snake safe. They understand not to panic if they come across a snake. The young explorers will appreciate each animal for their role within the environment, so educate your child about the risks associated with that animal. At the same time you can have fun doing it too!

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September 2, 2017December 7, 2017

Ospreys & Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend and Ospreys are still hanging around Nelson Park, Plymouth, MA. After a great end of summer get-away at the John Carver Inn today, we drove on up to Nelson Memorial Park to the sea side trail for a brisk walk. Beautiful day. The Ospreys we have seen all season were still here. We only watched two, so maybe the others have left. These two are getting on each others nerves. Soon they will get tired of this bickering, and head on out. They can hunt now on their own. Now, just need the courage to fly away. Where,? maybe French Guiana, South America.

P.S. The walk did us some good, especially after the fantastic meal we had at Dillon’s Local Pub, close to the waterfront. South Park Avenue to be exact. Pulled Pork Carnitas was a great alternative to most places serving the same old appetizers. We had the Bourbon Steak Tips prepared to perfection.

“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.” John Muir

Is This a Heron, Egret or Crane? After the Ospreys left, there was still more great stuff happening @ Nelson Park

My New Shirt

August 26, 2017September 17, 2018

Plant A Bee Garden (click to comment)

Plant at least three different types of flowers in your bee garden to ensure blooms through as many seasons as possible. Select single flower tops. Multiple tops look great, but produce less nectar. You need only a small plot of land. Avoid using herbicides or pesticides in the bee garden.

August 23, 2017March 29, 2018

Water Lilies

Water lilies maintain the well-being of the ponds they inhabit. They provide shade to keep the water temperature down during the hot summer months. Blocking out some sunlight, the lilies help to keep the algae growth down. Their shade also gives shelter to any fish that may be in the pond. They also absorb nutrients in the water that would normally feed undesirable green plants, keeping the water clear and clean-looking. Just a couple of miles from our home, the Jewel of the Pond is blooming quite lovely. Click on CONTINUE READING for images.

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August 22, 2017August 18, 2018

Plymouth Eclipse With Jackson

What better place to spend the day, Plymouth, MA, waterfront. Especially on the “Great American Eclipse”, day. April 2024 will be the next one. I hope crickets will chirp and streetlights pop on during this one. Jackson, where were you on August 21, 2017 ?

There is no science in this world like physics. Nothing comes close to the precision with which physics enables you to understand the world around you. It’s the laws of physics that allow us to say exactly what time the sun is going to rise. What time the eclipse is going to begin. What time the eclipse is going to end. “Neil deGrasse Tyson”

If the sun were just a little bit bigger or the moon a bit farther away, total solar eclipses may never occur. But they do, and it turns out this celestial phenomenon that has changed human history, and our perspective of the universe, may be a sheer coincidence. So until 2024, REMEMBER: Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection.