Month: April 2008
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Rain, thankfully
The lighthouse still relies on a rainwater cistern for water supply. The rain rolls off the slate roof, runs along the wide gutters, pours through the downspouts, and collects in the cistern. The cistern can hold over 5,000 gallons of water and has never run out, as far as I know. Nevertheless, it is a…
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Trail conditions: puddles
Due to recent rains, puddles of standing water may be encountered along portions of the trail. Also, some spots may be muddy.
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Trail conditions: full moon tides
Due to tides, some woody debris may be encountered along tidal portions of the trail.
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Yellow blossoms of marsh marigold appear
Last year, the marsh marigolds bloomed around May 1st. This year, I noticed the yellow flowers along the boardwalk yesterday, April 19th.
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Shad?
In the morning, I often see a gentleman from town who owns a used books store. The lighthouse trail comprises his daily walk before opening the store. He usually keeps company with his own thoughts, but this morning, he paused on the dock to ask me a question. “Any word on the shad run for…
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Cormorants
Cormorants are flying upriver on their return migration. They fly together in small flocks of about a dozen in a V-formation traveling low, often just above the surface of the water
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Trail conditions: new moon tides
High tides associated with the new moon cover the trail for an hour or two day an night. Consult the tide table for times of high tide. The receding tides are leaving woody debris and driftwood on the trail in places. Watch for obstacles in the trail.
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Great Blue Herons
Yesterday, while watching sunset, I saw two Great Blue Herons fly over, heading upriver (north). These were the first of the season on return migration
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Return of the osprey
This afternoon, first osprey sighting of the season, perched atop channel marker #93, a popular perch for gulls, cormorants, and, of course, ospreys.