Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Year: 2007

  • Black swan

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    Last week, I heard reports from visitors of a black swan hanging out in the cove north of the lighthouse. I was skeptical and figured it was probably just an immature, gray swan, so I never bothered to look. Well, two days ago, I saw it fly past with a half-dozen white ones. It was…

  • Tide talk

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    Inspired by his visit to the lighthouse, Astronomer Bob Berman published an article about the Hudson River tides in the local Almanac: Moon River.

  • And to think that I saw it on Esopus Creek…

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    This afternoon, I ran an errand in my kayak up the creek to Lynch’s Marina. On the return trip to the lighthouse, I noticed an animal swimming across the creek. Initially, I thought it must be something obvious like a beaver or muskrat. As I approached, I noticed its fuzzy tail and realized that the…

  • Lone katydid

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    Walking the trail in the dark, I heard clicking in the tree canopy. It took me a moment to recognize the sound as the call of a katydid. Usually heard in the heat of August nights, the katydids fill the forest with a raucous, rhythmic chorus of hundreds. Now, that cacophony has been reduced to…

  • Coalstove

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    On a chilly autumn evening, I lit the first fire of the season in the coalstove in the upstairs bedroom. It will probably warm up again before it really gets cold in earnest, but this is definitely a sign that it’s time to winterize.

  • Autumn soul food

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    I stopped by the Germantown Community Farm for their annual Harvest Festival dinner. A hungry crowd lined up to partake of the bountiful harvest, which was served inside the old apple barn. Too many people for an “enigmatic loner” like myself, so I didn’t stick around for the square dance which followed the meal. I…

  • Quack-quack, bang-bang

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    Today is opening day for duck season.  This morning in the pre-dawn twilight as mist curled off the water, the gun-fire started.  Pop. Pop. Pop.  The sound traveled over the water from nearby coves, tidal wetlands and river mudflats. It was like Fourth of July fireworks but without the light show.  Waterfowl took flight over…

  • Lost & Found

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    At the beginning of the week, I received a phone call from Anna, who lost a canoe on North Tivoli Bay. During an outing with a friend over the weekend, she was forced to abandon the canoe in a minor emergency. Both her and her friend were okay, but when Anna returned for the canoe…

  • Lighthouse Sludge

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    When Patrick & Marlena walk to the lighthouse for an evening swim, they invariably bring a bottle of their home-made wine to enjoy a glass as the sun sets behind the Catskills. They are happy to share, so I’ve tasted more than a few glasses myself. Among their vintages, one in particular is reserved for…

  • At dusk on the trail: Eastern Screech Owl

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    While walking the trail at dusk, I heard the distinctive eerie trill of an Eastern Screech Owl from overhead. I looked up and scanned the tree canopy, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tiny owl in the twilight. Standing still for a minute or two, eventually I saw a small silhouette swiftly glide through…