Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Category: Keepers Log

  • Mulberries

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    The mulberry tree started dropping ripe purple berries around June 15th. In years past, the tree shed berries until late July/early August. If you like mulberries, come and get ’em.

  • Mitten Crab Alert!

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    Less than three miles downstream of the lighthouse, along the creek feeding Tivoli Bays, an invasive species of crab was spotted. The presence of the Chinese mitten crab in the Hudson River Estuary is alarming because of the potential for the crab to disrupt the ecosystem and displace native species. Excerpted from the Hudson River…

  • Water temperature

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    Water temp: 73 degrees Fahrenheit at 4 PM today. Three swims today–morning, afternoon, and night.

  • First swim of summer

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    Water temperature: 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Bear sightings

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    One of the house guests said he saw a bear on the trail when he looked out the bedroom window this morning. He thought it might be a big dog at first until it stood up on its hind legs. I thought the same thing until I identified bear tracks in the wet sand on…

  • Trail conditions: damp

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    The trail crew straightened out the boardwalk which had been askew from flooding last month. The trail may be damp in places from recent thundershowers and daily tides. Although it may be tempting to walk barefoot in the sand, it is not advisable because of the sharp water-chestnut seeds on the trail that float in…

  • Baby Turtle

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    A fisherman found a baby turtle along the trail to the lighthouse. He kept in a flower pot at the lighthouse while he fished and mulled over the idea of taking it home as a pet. He showed it to me. I reckoned it was a painted turtle based on the yellow splotches on its…

  • Snapping turtle

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    Yesterday, a large snapping turtle crossed our path. Fortunately, Avalon had her camera with her. She snapped a few photos before the turtle entered the water and disappeared beneath the waves. The turtle sighting reminds me that the time of year is approaching when the female snapping turtles bury their eggs in the mud near…

  • Start of summer

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    Put in the screen door today. Feels like summer.

  • Esopus Estuary

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    Description by U.S. Fish & Wildlife of Esopus Estuary: Esopus Estuary is located at the mouth of the Esopus Creek, a major tributary to the upper Hudson River estuary on the west side of the river in the town of Saugerties at river kilometer 162 (river mile 101). This tidal wetland complex consists of the…