Tag Archives: Cape Cod blog

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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.  ❤

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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.  ❤ ❤

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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!  ❤ ❤ ❤