March 9

March 9, 2010 by OrientSee.

It’s all her fault. Ruby. This young lady has come into our lives and I can no longer get a good night’s sleep. I can’t seem to get anything done while this young female is around. I don’t go out into the marsh. I don’t go to see movies. I don’t ride my bike. All because of her. Take a look for yourselves.

Yes, that’s her, an eleven week old West Highland Terrier. I must confess. I am besotted with her.

So, I left her behind and went out to the marsh. Things were quiet. The tide was running out and there were a few ducks in Rosie’s Pond.

No Killdeers and no hawks. Just quiet ducks paddling back and forth.

Down by Lawn Ave., I looked at what happens when nature runs amok. This is an apple tree which has not been pruned and taken care of. The result is a nightmare tangle of branches and twigs.

The path out to the Overlook was filled with the sound of a few early arriving Redwing Blackbird males. In a few more weeks, their calls will reach nearly deafening volume. Right now it’s just the start of Spring.

The Overlook was equally empty. I had hoped to flush a few snipe on my way over to the Boardwalk but no luck. There was a largish flock of gulls resting by one of the pannes further out but there really wasn’t much to see until - - -  Popping up over the edge of the creek bank, five immature Mute Swans flew over the grass to the Boardwalk panne. It was a dramatic sight.

It was like seeing five pterodactyls  swoop down. They settled in very close to the walk and totally ignored me and several passing people with dogs.

It was magnificent to see these young swans up close.

The rest of my walk was uneventful but full of a cold sharp wind. I could hardly wait to get home, check my Sibley’s (to verify the swans) and pour some hot coffee into my cold core.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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February 21

February 21, 2010 by OrientSee.

Yesterday was a rare February day. It warmed up close to 50 and even some bugs crawled out and about. Today was different. Colder and windier, it wasn’t as pleasant. In Rosie’s Thicket, I finally got to see one of the Downy Woodpeckers actually working a new hole. They must have some sort of brain cushioning. The bird was really hammering into the hole. I got a sympathetic headache watching. It was totally oblivious to me twenty feet away.

The south flats were deserted but that was no surprise as the tide was out.  A few gulls were about and flock of Canada geese flew by. The path out to the Overlook revealed a serious sign of spring - catkins.  These weren’t pussy willows but the budding fur fluffs signal another change in the seasons.

The ice is out of the pannes and pools, so the ducks and geese are back foraging in the shallows.

Over the way to the Boardwalk, I found these shells. They are curious because they are all strung together like you those you can find attached to pilings and rocks. Apparently, some large gull (?) pulled them off and then flew over to the high marsh to eat the mussels etc.  It’s not like the gulls who drop individual shells to break them open.  I really wonder what happened here.

The park was full of dogs and there was little to see. A few furtive sparrows were in and out of the reeds and sumac on the way out to the parking lot but never long enough to clearly see what they were.

The Revere side of the creek was empty at first sight but then the Mallards and the Buffleheads moved about and proved the creek wasn’t empty.

I paid particular attention to sounds today. I had just read some posts in the Yahoo Group, BioMass, about winter sounds.  It’s an interesting group to read.

Today was a little cold with the bitter wind blowing but it was well worth taking a walk out in the marsh.

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Valentine’s Day 2010

February 14, 2010 by OrientSee.

Everything has a measure. We seem compelled to apply a tape measure of some sort to everything we see and do. 1 stone equals 14 pounds. The sun is 92,960,000 miles away and water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Today was a three sock day. When you walk through a marsh, you need to consider wet feet. That means for most of the year you need to wear rubber boots. ( July and August are the exception. Sandals are fine in high summer as long as you don’t mind muddy feet. ) In the winter, the number and combination of socks becomes a crucial decision. So today meant thin wool socks next to the skin. Bulkier cotton blend socks to trap the air and warmth. Finally polar fleece oversocks to complete the protection. Don’t laugh but I don’t get cold feet.

Today the air was brisk with the cold northwest wind. Although the sun is February warm, the birds were not very active. A Downy Woodpecker was up in Rosie’s Thicket pecking at the bark. A few pigeons, gulls and crows were about but no hawks. A small gaggle of Canada Geese honked overhead. The marsh is still sleeping. While the ground is bare, there are still plenty of ice floes marooned up on the spartina grass flats.
The trees flash a few stubborn leaves in the bright light. On Lawn Ave., the resident Mockingbird and guardian protector kept a close eye on me as I walked past.

I had to change my sunglasses as I entered the Long Thicket. The leafless trees still shade the path into dusk at midmorning. There were no small birds except for a single Robin along the Ovelook path. At the Overlook itself, the panne was frozen and so there were no ducks to be seen. Out in the creek where there is no ice, there were ducks but I didn’t have a scope to identify any of them.

I detoured on my way to the Boardwalk to check out the muskrat pond. It was solidly frozen and so I walked across. In an instant, I was transported to Northern Maine. The only trace of humans was the Osprey platform out in the reeds. The planes from Logan were quiet and this unlikely place (1/4 mile away from a major street and the Blue Line and 1/2 mile from Logan Airport) had the feel of zen retreat.

The Boardwalk had a better view of the creek but there was not much to see. I had hoped to see a Harrier since one was reported several days ago but no luck this morning. Although cold, the park was full of dogs and their owners. I walked up the mound and looked around. Something flashed in the creek on the Revere side but then nothing happened. I walked along a little further and saw a Graf Zeppelin. Well not really, it was something better, a single Trumpeter Swan. This enormous, long-necked bird passed overhead and I smiled in delight.

It’s the sort of experience that Belle Isle can reward you with. Nothing is around and you get bored and then a swan flies by or a Merlin dives into a flock of Swallows and nabs lunch. A male Pheasant will walk out of the reeds, stop and make a Peacock look like shabby, overdressed dowager. A Kestrel will hover over the mound and the bright colors flash in the sun. It’s all why I walk Belle Isle.

Out to the parking lot, a cooperative American Tree Sparrow allowed me to watch while it foraged in the grass with its bi-colored beak, making it one of the few sparrows that I can definitively identify.

The creek was partially frozen over but I could get a glimpse of a small group of Bufflehead Ducks diving into the water. I walked back home basking in the full glare of the February sun like some sort of winter reptile. It was a good day at Belle Isle.

Take care, one and all,

OrientSee

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January 24 - Bear Creek Sanctuary

January 25, 2010 by OrientSee.

Yesterday I went on a field trip to Bear Creek Sanctuary. The sanctuary is nearby and is on part of Rumney Marsh which borders on Revere, Saugus and Lynn. It is much larger than Belle Isle and is dominated visually by the Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) recycling plant and landfill. It is hard to work your mind around the idea of a huge mound of human detritus capped by wonderful views and interesting birds and wildlife. It is private land and so you must sign up to go on one of the guided walks. It’s well worth it.

On the ride into the sanctuary a pair of Kestrels were perched on the wires by the sanctuary center building.

We started walking and then there was a pair of Kingfishers perched on the wires. These are great birds to watch.

On top of the mounds I found a pair of Blue-backed Long-scoped Birders.

The sanctuary has plenty of bee hives in the yellow boxes  and lots of  tree plantings (blue plastic tubes).

You can look across to Broad Sound and see the General Edwards Bridge ( Lynn to Revere ).

This is Rumney Marsh looking South. There’s an Osprey pole and it looks very much like a scene from Belle Isle.

There are several small ponds that must be full of birds in the warmer weather. Those are Revere Beach condos in the background. It’s not really Miami Beach.

We saw hawks and larks and buntings and ducks and geese and fox tracks and on and on. For a winter day it was a delight to see so much. Try it yourself.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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January 17

January 17, 2010 by OrientSee.

 The January thaw left Belle Isle feeling like a March day rather than the depth of winter. The lack of leaves revealed another practice tree for the local woodpeckers. This one has many holes and yet does not seem to have been used for nesting. ??

Further along my path, I found many large patches of chives alive and well in the snow. They are very peppery tasting.

I walked along the marsh edge and found hidden in the dry grass a golden colored crab shell.  A bit of treasure in the hay!

This is winter fruit. It’s a peach from last season. It’s still hanging in the tree. It’s not very appetizing and the birds do not seem to have been nibbling. So it’s probably not edible. Strange to see peach fruit still on a tree in January.

I did not get a photo but I did see a male Redwing Blackbird. I’ve never seen one at Belle Isle this early in the year. Out past the Boardwalk, a large flock of crows were working the marsh grass for food.  They are a loud sociable  group.

The park was quiet but I did get to see a Flicker roosting on a thorn bush as it were a tiny sparrow. It took off before I could get my camera raised for a shot. Out by the parking lot there were a lot of sparrows and this very photogenic robin.

Across Bennington St., a hawk perched on a utility pole waiting for its Sunday brunch.

A strange sight in the creek. A forlorn balloon trapped by its string on the edge of an ice floe. The current pulled one way while the breeze pulled the opposite way.

Today was abnormally warm for January but there was plenty to see and enjoy.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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January 12

January 12, 2010 by OrientSee.

 So another year begins in cold and snow. I haven’t been out to the marsh in a while. We’ve had some snow and bird tracks are abundant. I noticed this half buried hard hat. It was the brightest color around in all the glare of white and darks.

Close by, I found this delicate lichen on the side of a tree. It was a delight.

Further along Rosie’s Thicket, the woodpeckers have been busy again. This is a brand new den carved out of a slender dead tree into which two other holes were carved last year. Neither hole was used. I wonder if this one will be filled soon or not.

Some of the neighbors heave their holiday pumpkins out into the marsh and they last very well in the cold. I’ll probably bust them open so that the birds can get at the flesh and seeds.

Another bright touch of color was this cluster of sumac fruit.

In the Long Thicket besides the crows harassing a hawk, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers were flitting from one tree to the next feeding on the bark bugs.

My camera does not like glare filled high contrast scenes but the effect can be quite nice. This is the Overlook panne frozen up and free of the ducks that usually clump together here.

The Boardwalk was quiet. In the distance a small group of Brant were paddling over by the old Osprey nest. A large flock of Canada Geese honked their way over Winthrop. The park was quiet as well.  I noticed that a winter gust had topped off this tree which was mostly dead. While looking, a Northern Flicker hopped on the top to preen itself.

The parking lot and Bennington St. were also very quiet. The creek was nearly frozen over, except where the flooding tide had carved a sinuous path. It was an elegant turn.

I was warmly dressed and thoroughly enjoyed my walk today. Cold weather is no reason to pass up a visit. I’m as guilty as everyone else. I have to get out more. Belle Isle is well worth the effort.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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November 29

November 29, 2009 by OrientSee.

 Yesterday’s gale force winds had blown themselves out and the tide was nearly high. It was a bright day that was nearly blinding in its intensity. Rosie’s thicket was very quiet while a few ducks had the pond to themselves. Everything was so quiet that I had a foreboding that today was going to be an empty walk.

Golderod puffballs  in bright November light.

There was a flock of starlings in the park by Lawn and Leverett. Nearby a pack of contentious crows were loudly sounding off. It turned out that there was two reasons. First, the crows were mobbing a Red-Tail Hawk in a nearby tree and secondly because they had found a delicious piece of carrion that they were all feeding off. (Perhaps the Red-Tail’s breakfast?)  I turned around to see some WhiteThroat Sparrows, a Cardinal and a Mockingbird all in and out of the apple trees. The day wasn’t so empty after all.

At the start of the Overlook trail, a golden nugget gleamed in the leaf litter. A crab apple had fallen from an overhanging branch.

Just before the Overlook itself, a flock of robins were feeding in the grass. A Downy Woodpecker and a Flicker were pecking away at the bark above all the ground activity. From the Overlook, I watched this Cooper’s Hawk float past and then scare up all the pigeons by the T station. It didn’t appear to have any success.

The nicest surprise was this Kingfisher hunting in the pools and creek. I don’t see them often at Belle Isle but they are fun to watch as they splash into the water hunting fish. I like watching the huge Ospreys fish and the elegant terns diving but these birds have their own style.

Another RedTail went cruising along Bennington St. and the the Cooper’s was back trying to get a pigeon by the T stop. I got home and was surprised to see this dahlia still in bloom even with December just a few days off.

It was an enjoyable walk today.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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November 17

November 17, 2009 by OrientSee.

 Today the November tang of a fresh north wind was everywhere. The air is cool and a delight to taste. The trees are nearly all bare. It was not the leaf that  caught my eye but the leaf twig. It’s a brilliant red that I never noticed before.

Rosie’s thicket was quiet. It will take a snow fall to bring it back to life. Over the train yard, a Red Tail hawk was soaring. Not a good sign for the resident pigeons.

I came across this very well designed winter bird feeder. The small birds will ignore it for a while and then it will look better and better  until all the seed is gone, sometime in January.

A Downy was very busy feeding off the bark bugs.

The more interesting the bird, the more likely you are to cough loudly. I came very close to a Great Blue Heron and then of course, the throat tickle turned into a full blown whoop of a cough. The heron immediately fled.

It’s not unusual to see a cormorant with it’s wings spread in the sunlight. It’s just that this is the first that I have ever seen do it high grass. Usually, it’s only on a beach or pier or sand bar that they do this. On the other hand, today was such a bright day that anywhere would work.

Out in the flats, I walked along this little path and thought of allee. That’s a landscape feature usually found on large old estates of a walkway extending straight into the distance with a line of trees to either side. They are quite impressive. This allee was through a stand of Phragmites and is also quite impressive.

I was surprised to find a small flock of Mourning Doves out next to the Boardwalk. I thought that they had all gone south.

The butterflies seem to be gone except for this milkweed seed turned into a vegetarian butterfly. There were still plenty of crickets sounding in the high grass of the meadow. The flying insects have disappeared but the ground huggers are still here. We really haven’t had a serious hard frost yet.

The best treat of the walk was this diminutive bloom.  I don’t know its name but Rose of November seems appropriate.

A bright shiny day. A bright shiny walk.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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November 8

November 8, 2009 by OrientSee.

 Today was an abnormally warm November day. Not a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the high sixties. The thickets were littered with leaves which made it impossible to walk without sounding like a herd of one. I quickly changed plans and started walking across the marsh itself. The tide was racing in and the grass is drying up and losing any green. Surprisingly there was lots of airborne protein (i.e. flying bugs).

His Lord and Majesty was presiding over a puddle full of something worth fishing for.

This apple had fallen but the branch laden with water shoots caught it before it could land on the ground.

Out by the Overlook, I looked up and saw this nest which I must have walked under for months before the leaves fell away and that which was hidden was revealed.

The Overlook panne had a few black ducks and a remarkable field of foxtails backlit by the sun.

The park was quiet. By the gate, a late warbler emigrant sunned itself.

Nearby, that bright red leaf blowing in the wind was really a Cardinal.

Next to the Cardinal, some White-throated Sparrows were foraging in the grass beneath a spruce.

The creek had a small flock of Buffleheads feeding and diving back and forth. They are very energetic birds.

I was nearly home and often by now I put my camera away.  I was walking down a ramp at Suffolk Downs T and caught this great Cooper’s Hawk eyeing all the Starlings buzzing around.

It was a terrific afternoon to be out at Belle Isle.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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October 27

October 27, 2009 by OrientSee.

Sunrise at Belle Isle from my back porch.  A study in pink.

Later I walked into Rosie’s Thicket and this one leaf was a color preview for all the fall foliage.

Beyond, I finally found something to admire in Japanese Knotweed. This ethereal foliage doesn’t make up for all its bad habits but it is a sight.

A little further on into the thicket, I found clumps of chive. The chive is one of the first plants to sprout in the spring. They last a month and then die back. Now in the fall, they pop up again. This particular clump is very peppery to taste.

The flats were quiet with a few Great Egrets way out next to the creek. I walked along the path through the thicket and nearly walked on these potatoes. Not really, a closer look revealed that they were mushrooms.

Out on the edge of the Palermo street park, a weed clump proudly displayed a very purple contrast to all the gold and red foliage.

Up in a crabapple tree, this Cardinal was not a fall leaf. I caught sight of Sharp-shinned Hawk looking for a meal. It cruised around for a while and then flew over towards Winthrop and out of view.

In the next tree over, the female Cardinal was nearly invisible  except for her beak.

The Overlook Path was quiet and wet (we had a patch of fog overnight). This Sumac branch reminded me of “pretty maids in a row” (Gilbert & Sullivan).

The path was strangely lit beneath the gray skies. There was soft golden glow to everything. Almost to the Overlook, this crab apple was exploding with fruit.

The Overlook was quiet. I expected to find some ducks but no luck there. I crossed the flats to the Boardwalk and flushed a snipe. The Boardwalk yielded some Great Egrets fishing by the creek and these two Great Blue Herons just resting.

Up in the park meadow, I found this litter, not human. A nearby clump of milkweed had spontaneously  burst and strewn the grass with their seeds.

From the Bennington St. bridge, I found this very busy corner of the creek.  In the foreground there are two Buffleheads. Closer to shore are two Cormorants. Then comes the two Great Egrets and finally almost invisible on the shore’s edge are two Yellowlegs. There must have been a school of small fish for them all to feast on.

Today was terrific. It’s easy to be impressed on a bright sunny day in August. The marsh vibrates with life and green grasses. On a cloudy October day, there’s a darker golden color. Things are letting go. It’s getting to the end of another year but it is still full of things to see and enjoy.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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