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Category: Animals

A Visit to Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge {Pictorial}


Hello, Brooklyn

Being in Brooklyn again had a refreshing familiarity. This is Daphne; I stayed at her place for a couple of days while I celebrated an extended holiday of all-me time. I made her pose for pictures in the beautiful light of Kensington. The Comet. I wanted to drive it home… Read more…


Backyard Birding, A Quick Look 🐦

Since winter’s chill has come, the search for food is bringing all the birds to the backyard. I set up the tripod across the way, looking like a true bird stalker. Here are some of my favorites. My favorite is the brightly hued cardinal. The Sparrows hitting up the suet… Read more…


The Eagles of Manchester

While in Connecticut for that ice cream I loved so dearly, I mapped out another photo opportunity as I like to do. Abandoned stuff… I would have to head to Northwest Park to access a trail to some ruins… As it turned out, I had a bit of a detour. Read more…


The Robins of Rochester {2023 Season}

Just like last year, the porch was the home for some gorgeous robin’s eggs! Here is papa bird who spent a good amount of time yelling at us to stay away. Mamma was more relaxed. She sauntering in after finding food and took her shift for warming the eggs. This Read more…


Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, Part 1

One of my favorite places on Long Island, I try to visit the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge every year or so. This time was a very exciting homecoming trek with my long-time pal who is just returning to the Island and is hungry for renewed wonder. Unfortunately, as Read more…


The Matawan Man-Eater Mural
Matawan, New Jersey

The shark attacks that inspired the Jaws film series took place on New Jersey’s coastline in 1916. The ferocious shark was a Bull shark–and not a Great White as depicted in the movies. The Bull shark is considered by experts to be the most dangerous in the world due to Read more…


In The Yard: Birds & Flowers

It finally feels like Spring. The birds, the bees, the flowers and the trees. So here a quick little celebration of the season in its early onset. To more green…


Hunting For Wonder in Western New York
Owl Woods, Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area πŸ¦‰

Braddock Bay in northwest Rochester has a special draw. A hiking trail popular with bird lovers runs through Owl Woods. Here, owls make a roosting pit stop, resting and eating before a long migratory flight over Lake Ontario. Determined to make use of every day of my spring break, I Read more…


Pieces of the End of 2022 in Rochester

The frigid Lake Ontario We were doing remote control cars. Can you tell? Two-berry pancakes. So pale! I haven’t been satisfied with my pancake making lately. The first ever Wegmans. Vintage delight. I finally won in bowling. I guess I need the bumpers up all the time. teehee Breakfast It Read more…


This Place is for the Birds 🐦

After viewing posts taken at the location for one of my favorite places, I decided I would not contribute to its cheesification (“Cheesification” happens when the top posts of a location features half-naked women trying to be sexy in a beautiful place. Besides my view that trying to be sexy Read more…


Not A While, Crocodile 🐊
And Other Florida Animals

Next time I am hungry I am going to try the method of the crocodile. Sit still with your mouth open, wait for a tasty treat to meander by. It can be the new fad diet. This stunning crocodile was in Crandon Park in Miami–intel that persistent biker man shared Read more…


Morbid Thoughts at Sunset at
Dead Horse Point State Park

There are several legends surrounding the origin of Dead Horse Point State Park’s name and each is upsetting and unfortunately quite literal, having to do with dead horses.Β  The most popular version begins in the 1800’s when the area used to have herds of wild mustangs about, living their lives Read more…


Stone Hearth Grille
High End Vegan Perfection within the Canyons

Every once and a while you need to splurge on yourself. You are, after all, your most important supporter. So on this night, watching the pink landforms catch the last rays of the day’s light on their outdoor deck, I showed myself how good I can treat myself–at Stone Hearth Read more…


Enter the Wild
Valley of Fire State Park

Look at a topographical map of the United States and find the big mass of crinkled brown.  That will be my home for the next 14 days.  The extreme landforms of this part of the country are otherworldly, beautifully impractical.  Lack of easy access to water and its canyons, cliffs, Read more…


On the Lazy River at
James River State Park

Though the strong rains invaded the majority of my trip, I managed to set up camp at James River State Park in spite of it. It also happens to be another IDA certified Dark Sky Park–well what do ya know? But first, some daytime scenes, mostly in the river, mostly Read more…


Layover in Staunton, Virginia
The Thornrose Cemetery and the Frontier Culture Museum

Since I declared my intention of visiting all of Virginia’s dark sky parks and camping three evenings, forces of nature have threw me some curveballs. But I subscribe to several related philosophies that have me generally accepting, catching curveballs and admiring each. Though my que sera sera-ness might not serve Read more…


Parks & Rec: Brooklyn
Calvert Vaux Park

The longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its construction, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge’s anchorages dig into 115 feet of the Earth. That excavated soil and sand helped to create Brooklyn’s Calvert Vaux Park, the latest park in my exploration series. With a nice view of the bridge Read more…


Discovery at Green-Wood Cemetery

An afternoon at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery would bring new discoveries, even more reasons to love its grounds. And since I’ve been carless for 11 days , I walked there from my apartment… just to see how long it would take. It was an easy walk that I’ll likely do again! Read more…


Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary
Rockaways, Queens

One can easily overlook the Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary in the Rockaways. At first glance it seems to be just another unkempt shoreline where the locals fish. But step in carefully and you’ll see a mossy green shore covered in mussel colonies, most of which is inaccessible during high tide. Read more…


A Bird in the Hand 🐦
is Worth Two in the Bush

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Long Island’s Sag Harbor is a magical place to visit. Since I was going alllll the way out East, a quick commune with the birds was very necessary on this Earth Day. But please don’t go. You’d mess with my bird flow. Since Read more…


No Torment Touch Them…
Abandoned Marlboro State Hospital Cemetery

Of course I had to throw in a couple of macabre stops while I was in New Jersey for its beautiful tulip fields. After a quick recon mission at the still partially functioning Trenton State Hospital, now Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, I deemed it worthy for a return at a later Read more…


Our Careless Stomp

Our dismissal of the balance of nature has a tremendous impact–on the Earth, on countless species. But so often suffering is hidden from view. So often we are content to turn a blind eye to the devastating impact of our daily choices, prioritizing our comforts and fancies over the lives Read more…


Winter in Fall
A Day in Patchogue, Long Island

A brief jaunt in East Patchogue, Long Island would have food, fun and photographs. To follow, some highlights of the area… if you happen to like vegan food, nature and cemeteries like me. Door dashed my breakfast because who the heck wants to get dressed and jump in the car Read more…


Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.
(photo purge)

Airport knees. Because I still sit like a 10 year old. The tail end. Good for them! I like my tables etched with love. She’s clockin’ my Banh Me Salad at Black Mountain Wine House. Or the wine. I love my “new” hutch. Having to get it in two trips Read more…


Blessed Are The Intrepid, Day 18:
Wild Horses & Horseshoe Crab

Day 18 would be my last adventure… the Assateague Island National Seashore, the barrier island shared by Virginia and Maryland where feral horse roam freely. Wild horses. If that is not enough, the beach is beautiful and washes up a slew of shells. I hit the shoreline early as the Read more…