Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Category: Keepers Log

  • More about the White Pelican

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    Tom Lake of the Hudson River Almanac informed me that White Pelican sightings on the Hudson River are rare but not unheard of.  According to Tom, White Pelicans are seen about about once every 5 years. The last recorded sighting in the Hudson River Almanac white pelican was May 3, 2004  at Kingston: “We spotted…

  • American White Pelican

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    During a tour inside the Saugerties Lighthouse, someone exclaimed, “A white pelican!”  Somewhat skeptical, I went to the first floor window for a look. Sure enough–a large white bird perched on the the jetty at the mouth of Esopus Creek opposite the lighthouse. It’s orange bill and mouth pouch were unmistakable.  American White Pelican. That’s…

  • Bosun's chair

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    Captain Jerome pulled his 24′ sailboat alongside the dock. “Do you have a bosun’s chair?” he wondered. “No, but I could probably make one,” I said, glancing over at the stack of lumber on the dock.  A bosun’s chair is basically a rope swing–a board for a seat with a rope attached–used to hoist a…

  • Dragonfly

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    On Boone’s dock, a newly-emerged dragonfly stood atop its molting skin, yet to unfold its wings.

  • A bit of river history

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    Today, I made my regular trip to Sauer farms for a few dozen eggs.  While waiting on the front porch as Mrs. Sauer helped another customer, I got into a conversation with Mr. Sauer. He told me about the time when he used to ride the ferry from Saugerties across to Tivoli: “In 1938 or…

  • Sudden storm burst

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    The weather forecast called for scattered thundershowers, but no one seemed prepared for the storm that ensued this afternoon. Gale force winds. Lightning. Heavy downpour of rain. Hail. A few kayak paddlers and a hiker took refuge in the lighthouse and waited out the storm in the parlor. I hurried around the lighthouse closing windows…

  • Nature channel

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    This morning, Bobby Dangerously and I motored up the creek with the barge to haul some lumber. Along the way, we noticed a Great Blue Heron perched on a tree branch at the shoreline. While we admired this stately and elegant bird, another creature appeared. Behind the heron, the face of a baby raccoon peeked…

  • Varnish party

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    What do ice boaters do in the summertime? Dream about frozen water and varnish their boats. Last night, the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club organized a varnish party to spruce up one of the historic stern-steerer ice boats. A group of men gathered in Straatsburg, NY at the old Burger-family barn and lowered the Whiff…

  • Preservation efforts

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    The lighthouse received a paint job last week.  Rudy LaBounty and crew showed up with their tall extension ladders to paint all the high, hard-to-reach places. Peaks and valleys and gutters on the house roof. Vent cap and roof of the lantern room. Cornices. They even replaced some of the slate roofing tiles.

  • Tiger lilies

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    Brilliant orange tiger lilies are blooming along the trail. A cluster of them near the start of the trail appear as a splash of orange against a background of green. Note: Please don’t pick the flowers.