Hatchlings have left the nest. The summer days are getting shorter. Trees are starting to look dry and worn. With these changes many birds start to show restlessness and begin moving south. Shorebirds, which are among the longest migrators, start moving as early as July. Some song birds start in August with most on the […]

When I think of Maine and the month of July, I think of orange day lilies. I was amazed when I moved to Abiquiu, NM to note that my neighbor Bruce had so many growing around his house. Orange day lilies grow in the high desert too! Up until mid-life I had a rather casual […]

Does anyone remember the days when the arrival of thousands of blackbirds announced that spring was on the way? As a child I recall the bare deciduous trees around my grandparents’ farm were peppered with redwings, cowbirds, starlings and grackles. Most farming people disliked these birds because grackles especially loved to eat grains and corn. […]

Ellis Pond Sidekicks seems to be on track to make it to the Labor Day goal of 600 members! As of this writing, we are at 583. Only 17 to go! If you are reading this and aren’t a member yet, please consider this your invitation to join us. Here’s a link to the public […]

This morning when I took the dogs out around 6 am I saw a beautiful Luna moth lying on emerald green moss covered ground. By the looks of its antenna I surmised this one was male because its ‘feathers’ were so long. In the past the sight of one of these deceased moths would have […]

My friend Iren from Abiquiu just wrote me that on the full moon some fireflies were lighting up the night down by the river’s edge. I was so happy to hear that news because last summer the diminutive lanterns were absent around the casita even though it is situated close to the river. In my […]