This has been a year of travel, allowing me to view large numbers of fascinating species, many of them for the first time. It is my habit to make notes when in the field, both to record numbers of creatures but also species I have seen for the first time so I can do my… Read more
Wild turkeys in the backyard again, this time five large gobblers. Normally the birds pick their way along, grabbing a seed or an insect that catches their sharp eyes. This time the smallest tom was either feeling his oats, or he was tired of being picked on by the larger birds. Turkeys always have a… Read more
Definitions vary by your choice of dictionary, but for our purposes the word “pelagic” means “species related to or living in the open sea.” This contrasts with species of coastal areas or on the bottom of the sea, known as the benthic zone. By now you may be wondering, so why are you writing about… Read more
“Pssst.” Roused from a deep sleep, I wasn’t sure what woke me, so I lay there listening. “Psssst!” This time it was louder and more insistent. My tentmate Andy. “What do you want?” I mumbled. “Shhhh. There’s a bear out there.” I had not heard a sound other than Andy’s hissing, but we were camped… Read more
History tells us that the early Egyptians were the first to experiment with slices of crystal to improve human vision. By the 12th century A.D. early opticians were creating basic lenses from glass and putting them in frames to correct vision problems. Historical records show that the first person to seek a patent on a… Read more
One of the joys of writing nature books is the opportunity to share my photo presentations with people around Maine. From Kittery to Bar Harbor, Rangeley to Harpswell, folks of all ages enjoy seeing photos of wildlife and telling their own stories about encounters in the outdoors. At times I wonder who is getting more… Read more
Please consider a vital question – how can an animal with a brain the size of a walnut be so devilishly clever, defeating nearly every human-designed device and construction to keep him out? If you like to feed the birds, you know exactly what I mean. There are many YouTube videos to prove just how… Read more
Over the years I have written several articles about the unique black and white beauties found on Harpswell’s winter waters. I have great appreciation for these hardy birds that include common loons, buffleheads, and common eiders. They may not add a splash of color to a season that is mostly shades of gray, but they… Read more
Song writers endlessly spin songs about life and love, using language and music in many styles to tell their tales. When writers turn lyrical, they often draw upon the natural world in the form of animals or plants. Witness one example in 1968 when folk singer Gordon Lightfoot mused about “pussy willows, cattails, soft winds… Read more
Every time I see this robin-size bird I cannot help but think that it looks like it was made from mismatched bird parts. The large head sits on a stubby neck, not very sleek. The legs are short, not made for walking. The tail is undersized relative to the body and wings. That long, heavy… Read more