More New Arrivals – Day 98

More new arrivals to our Cape Cod shores!

Even on the cloudiest of days, these Piping Plovers…

Come with their own special blend of sunshine…

And sheer cuteness.

Welcome, welcome, Little Ones.

Be safe, be well.  ❤

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The Serenity of Swans – Day 95

This morning on my way to photograph an  osprye nest replacement platform that Eversource utility built for the ospreys (long story)…

I saw a flash of white, by the bridge at Herring River.

I simply had… to stop.

Perhaps I was in need of some beauty…

Or perhaps, a little peace.

In any case, I am so very glad I took the time, to look upon this stunning creature.

How we do need to see “the Beauty”, in a world filled with far too much of “the ugly’.

It’s a new day, tomorrow, and a new chance to look for that Beauty, again.

‘Night all. ❤

Goodnight, Dear Loon – Day 90

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m over the moon for LOONS.

Our Common Loons are having a tough time right now with a high incidence of lead poisoning; some from gun shot during the hunting season but even more from ingested lead fishing tackle.

The other night I turned in at Snow Inn Road, hoping I might see a loon fishing along the Wychmere Harbor shoreline.

And sure enough, there he was!

Upon closer look, I noticed that his eyes were closed.

He looked so sleepy; I suspect, tuckered out from a full afternoon of diving for shellfish.

It was comical to watch him because, try as he might to keep those little red eyes of his open…

The lids just kept on a-closing, closing as he slowly, slowly swam along at the water’s edge.

It was, in a word, mesmerizing.

At times, I felt like he knew I was there as I kept hopping back and forth in my car; driving a short ways up Snow Inn, then hopping out again to photograph him.

A Loon Paparazzi, for sure, that’s me!   😉

And yet, he didn’t seem to mind.

No, not one little bit.

Paddling, paddling, paddling he went, past empty summer houses, as I followed along up the road, behind.

He swam past my favorite old black King Post…

And all the while I could see those eyes, drooping, drooping as he swam in and out of the waning sunlight.

At last I decided to head on home and leave him in peace for his evening nap.

But not without getting one more look at what I would have to say was the dearest image I have ever seen of a loon, in my life.

Goodnight dear Loon, sleep well…

And please, please, please, be well.  ❤

A Piping Plover’s Bon Appetit – Day 89

Ever wondered what Piping Plovers EAT to give them the energy they need for all that running they do along the shoreline?

Teeny tiny insects, marine worms and crustaceans comprise their “bon appetit” each day, and when they first arrive here they sure are MIGHTY hungry!

Bon Appetit!! 😉

The Return of the Piping Plovers – Day 88 (Pt. II)

Well GUESS who’s back in Town!

Someone reminded me that the Piping Plovers were due in any day now, so I headed to Red River Beach for an early peek.

Sure enough, there they were; apparently coming in on the same flight as this adorable Sanderling.  😉

It was glorious to see them again, scootling along the sandy shoreline.

I missed them all winter, thinking so often of those adorable little faces, and what amazing parents they are.

And now, we settle in as they settle, hoping for another good year as they raise a new family.

But there’s plenty of time for all that later.

For right now… ‘Night, night, weary ones.

Welcome home.  ❤ ❤

Beauty Still Lives – Day 87 (Pt. II)

This evening I went in search of Beauty.

And thankfully, found it.

In the soaking wet, drenched head of a gorgeous Red-breasted Merganser drake…

Just coming into his adult feathers…

And diving for squiggling, wriggling fish in the fading harbor light.

Yesindeed, Beauty still LIVES!  ❤ ❤ ❤