Nice. Reading your description of seabirding - stationary, open to whatever does or doesn't come along - instantly lowered my blood pressure. I shared this one on Bluesky. A lot of the good people are flocking there it seems.
Thanks, Brian, for being more "plugged-in" than I am. You're good at that, among many other talents. I've heard a bit about Bluesky. I'll check it out!
There are indeed some spots for you in CT and RI, Melissa. And because you are a paying subscriber to Chasing Nature (thanks so much!), I will send you directly by tomorrow morning my personal recommendations (including a prime spot for Harlequin Ducks). Stay tuned!
I saw one King Eider in my 9 years on the coast of Maine, and never saw a Harlequin duck…but wow! I saw a lot of loons and scoters and plain eiders, and loved it all…
Yay! King Eider for you! We've actually even had a few Harlequin Ducks show up on Lake Champlain here in Vermont. Depending on where you are these days (I forget), I might be able to send you in the direction of a Harlequin Duck or two!
I love your writing, and the pictures you paint: “All the while, looking out to sea for hours, a seabirder’s mind might drift like the waves themselves — toward a Harbor Seal floating in the surf, toward a team of lobstermen hauling traps into their boat, toward politics and community, toward the gentle curvature of earth at the horizon, even toward notions of love and pain and impermanence. Then another bird draws us back to the certainty of sea and sky and feathers — and to discovery.”
This is so kind of you. Thanks, Sara. My mind wandered to all of that last weekend. It was respite from the maelstrom. It helped me sort through some ideas, and made easier my "re-entry" to the aftermath of the election once I left the shoreline behind.
It always amazes me that even excellent photos cannot capture the wonder of Harlequins. We go to Nubble Light usually twice/week to look for them. Although they are not always where we can see them, we see them often enough to keep us coming back. But occasionally, they will be hauled out on the rocks, so we can see some of what's normally underwater, as well as the spectacular markings. But in late-day, low-angle sun on a relatively calm day, when the sun hits one just right -- I don't have words...
And they are the bravest of the brave -- they hunt in crashing surf that none of the other sea ducks will.
This is so true, Kai. (I've seen them at The Nubble as well.) I never even mentioned how Harlequin Ducks are — what? — jaunty and perky unlike other ducks. After all, they nest beside raging Arctic rivers! :-)
I wish I lived closer to the sea. Your seabirding experience sounds so grounding and peaceful. I pursue the same experience on our local lakes and rivers here in Illinois. We have many of the same birds and I am comforted by their presence. I try to absorb as much of their dignity and civility as I can.
Thanks, Bill. I'd look forward to your writing about birds at the coast! We also get a similar "land-locked" migration on Lake Champlain, particularly nice loon flights. Even Northern Gannet, Harlequin Duck, Black-legged Kittiwake now and then.
This is a wonderful post, Brian, especially the title. While I have camped along the Maine shoreline in hopes of viewing shoreline birds,our trip was abruptly disrupted when our dog decided to get up close and personal with a skunk. A direct shot to the neck. All we had was Ketchup. One of those moments that happened in slow motion time lapse. The longest ‘nooo…’ we have ever shouted, followed by too many ‘Fremont come…’ The rest of our stay came to an abrupt ending ,as well as the poor folks near and far who had trouble breathing clean air. His neck fur smelled every time he was wet , for the rest of his life. You may remember the news when a Harlequin was spotted near Shelburne Bay sometime in the early 2000s , I remember seeing it, and yes indeed, it was awesome, I think it was close to this time of year. One of those days with an icy breeze off the lake. While you were visiting, I hope you said hello to our Loons.
“A spotting scope is essential to seabird watching; our companions are simply essential to everything.”
Yes, our companions. Ok, I will include my husband, ah, but the dog, every adventure made just a little better, a lot better, except the skunk part.
Oh, noooooo! Odie got a very light skunking once -- a direct hit in the mouth. He was lucky that the skunk barely sprayed. Nonetheless, his fur only smelled a month or two -- a few months more when wet. (Sometimes I think I can still detect a bit of the "aroma.") But we do love them, right? No matter how they smell. :-)
Here’s a quote from decades ago, reminding us not to give up on people—
“It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
This was beautiful, thank you. I am mostly looking at Magpies these days, but I appreciated how vivid your portraits of the sea birds are. I could almost hear the sound of the water.
Lovely Bryan! Ray was in the hospital, I lost my beloved Kestrel (dog) to cancer and the election all at the same time. Seabirds through you has helped a lot. Thank you! 😘
Oh, Lizzie -- I'm so sorry to hear the news about Kestrel. I know you're hurting a ton. And I'm sending you and Ray healing thoughts. I hope he's doing okay!
Nice. Reading your description of seabirding - stationary, open to whatever does or doesn't come along - instantly lowered my blood pressure. I shared this one on Bluesky. A lot of the good people are flocking there it seems.
Thanks, Brian, for being more "plugged-in" than I am. You're good at that, among many other talents. I've heard a bit about Bluesky. I'll check it out!
Thanks for the article on seabirds - wonderful to immerse in their beuty especially af the election!!
Marci
You are most welcome, Marci. Always nice to hear from you. Regards to Brian!
Thanks for the reminder that a drive to the shore is wonderful therapy.
Are there any particularly great birding beaches in CT or RI that you'd recommend?
There are indeed some spots for you in CT and RI, Melissa. And because you are a paying subscriber to Chasing Nature (thanks so much!), I will send you directly by tomorrow morning my personal recommendations (including a prime spot for Harlequin Ducks). Stay tuned!
Thank you, Brian. I needed to hear the ocean is still breathing, and beautiful birds still fly.
... and I'm breathing with you and the ocean, Sue. Thanks!
Me too, Sue, me too.
I saw one King Eider in my 9 years on the coast of Maine, and never saw a Harlequin duck…but wow! I saw a lot of loons and scoters and plain eiders, and loved it all…
Yay! King Eider for you! We've actually even had a few Harlequin Ducks show up on Lake Champlain here in Vermont. Depending on where you are these days (I forget), I might be able to send you in the direction of a Harlequin Duck or two!
“Then another bird draws us back to the certainty of sea and sky and feathers — and to discovery.” Beautiful!
To more of such discovery for more of us. What’s good for the soul must be good for the collective. 🪶
"What’s good for the soul must be good for the collective."
Insightful and hopeful. Thanks, Holly!
I love your writing, and the pictures you paint: “All the while, looking out to sea for hours, a seabirder’s mind might drift like the waves themselves — toward a Harbor Seal floating in the surf, toward a team of lobstermen hauling traps into their boat, toward politics and community, toward the gentle curvature of earth at the horizon, even toward notions of love and pain and impermanence. Then another bird draws us back to the certainty of sea and sky and feathers — and to discovery.”
This is so kind of you. Thanks, Sara. My mind wandered to all of that last weekend. It was respite from the maelstrom. It helped me sort through some ideas, and made easier my "re-entry" to the aftermath of the election once I left the shoreline behind.
It always amazes me that even excellent photos cannot capture the wonder of Harlequins. We go to Nubble Light usually twice/week to look for them. Although they are not always where we can see them, we see them often enough to keep us coming back. But occasionally, they will be hauled out on the rocks, so we can see some of what's normally underwater, as well as the spectacular markings. But in late-day, low-angle sun on a relatively calm day, when the sun hits one just right -- I don't have words...
And they are the bravest of the brave -- they hunt in crashing surf that none of the other sea ducks will.
This is so true, Kai. (I've seen them at The Nubble as well.) I never even mentioned how Harlequin Ducks are — what? — jaunty and perky unlike other ducks. After all, they nest beside raging Arctic rivers! :-)
Hmm, jaunty and perky, eh? My perception is that they are fierce, and undescribably beautiful...
What you wrote about really made me stop and wonder about King Eiders. I guess for the moment I've settled on "elegant"
Love this so much! Spent the day with ring neckeds, Redheads and American Wigeons (plus the usual suspects)!
All wonderful ducks, to be sure. Redhead ducks in particular do make me weak in the knees. Those blueish bills!
Bravo Bryan. Thank you for going through and for finding moments of Beauty.
As you well know, it's easy to find the beauty at the shoreline!
I wish I lived closer to the sea. Your seabirding experience sounds so grounding and peaceful. I pursue the same experience on our local lakes and rivers here in Illinois. We have many of the same birds and I am comforted by their presence. I try to absorb as much of their dignity and civility as I can.
Thanks, Bill. I'd look forward to your writing about birds at the coast! We also get a similar "land-locked" migration on Lake Champlain, particularly nice loon flights. Even Northern Gannet, Harlequin Duck, Black-legged Kittiwake now and then.
This is a wonderful post, Brian, especially the title. While I have camped along the Maine shoreline in hopes of viewing shoreline birds,our trip was abruptly disrupted when our dog decided to get up close and personal with a skunk. A direct shot to the neck. All we had was Ketchup. One of those moments that happened in slow motion time lapse. The longest ‘nooo…’ we have ever shouted, followed by too many ‘Fremont come…’ The rest of our stay came to an abrupt ending ,as well as the poor folks near and far who had trouble breathing clean air. His neck fur smelled every time he was wet , for the rest of his life. You may remember the news when a Harlequin was spotted near Shelburne Bay sometime in the early 2000s , I remember seeing it, and yes indeed, it was awesome, I think it was close to this time of year. One of those days with an icy breeze off the lake. While you were visiting, I hope you said hello to our Loons.
“A spotting scope is essential to seabird watching; our companions are simply essential to everything.”
Yes, our companions. Ok, I will include my husband, ah, but the dog, every adventure made just a little better, a lot better, except the skunk part.
Oh, noooooo! Odie got a very light skunking once -- a direct hit in the mouth. He was lucky that the skunk barely sprayed. Nonetheless, his fur only smelled a month or two -- a few months more when wet. (Sometimes I think I can still detect a bit of the "aroma.") But we do love them, right? No matter how they smell. :-)
A breath of fresh air. Thank you!
Here’s a quote from decades ago, reminding us not to give up on people—
“It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
Anne Frank
July 15, 1944
Amazing. I think she was correct! ❤️
This was beautiful, thank you. I am mostly looking at Magpies these days, but I appreciated how vivid your portraits of the sea birds are. I could almost hear the sound of the water.
Thanks, Kasey. Those Magpies do indeed display verve. I'm glad you're enjoying them!
Happy to hear that you found respite. Thank you for drawing us back to the certainty of sea and sky and feathers.
As it turned out, I had my copy of "Every Note, a Lantern" with me in Maine.
Lovely Bryan! Ray was in the hospital, I lost my beloved Kestrel (dog) to cancer and the election all at the same time. Seabirds through you has helped a lot. Thank you! 😘
Ouch! I wish you some peace...
Oh, Lizzie -- I'm so sorry to hear the news about Kestrel. I know you're hurting a ton. And I'm sending you and Ray healing thoughts. I hope he's doing okay!