On The Parker River Path: In Flight

Posted by Pamela Leavey on January 27, 2012

Taken earlier this month at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge… A Rough Legged Hawk in flight…

Sitting at my desk today, watching the rain pour down on the Merrimack River, I wish I could be like this lovely raptor, in flight.

(Photo: Rough Legged Hawk in Flight ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)

On The Parker River Path

Posted by Pamela Leavey on January 17, 2012

A few weeks ago I joined the ranks of the unemployed and took to walking 3 – 5 days a week with a dear friend, to clear my head and get grounded. There’s nothing better for freeing your mind than a brisk walk in the cool winter air.

Most of my walks were spent exploring the many trails and pathways at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The Hellcat Swamps trails have become a favorite, from the observation tower on the Parker River side to the 50 foot dune on the ocean side.

My hikes abruptly stopped on January 8, after a fall in my driveway left me with abrasions, bruises and a badly sprained foot. The following day I ended up with a cast on my right foot which needless to say has kept me from the hikes and trails. The cast is scheduled to come off on January 23 and I am hoping to get the okay from the doctor to start hiking again.

The photo above is from the observation deck atop the 50 foot dune mentioned above. Continue reading “On The Parker River Path” »

Oh Deer…

Posted by Pamela Leavey on June 9, 2011

This beautiful deer was foraging along the trail at Shackford Head in Eastport, ME when I was there two weeks ago…

Continue reading “Oh Deer…” »

Watching the Birds

Posted by Pamela Leavey on May 21, 2011

I took an old chair and placed it my front garden to create a bird station. The chair is visible from my desk and gives me hours of pleasure watching the birds. My cats both love it too, as they sit in the windows watching the birds come an go. Yesterday, Pandora spent most of the day at one end or the other of my desk watching birds and chipmunks at the feeder:

To create the bird station I tied a small bird house on the back of the chair with jute, and then laid large strips of bark from an old stump on the seat area of the chair (the caning was gone) and tied a pagoda shaped birdhouse onto the seat. I also added some bare branches for perches for the birds. On the large rocks in my garden I placed large shallow oval aluminum container that I weighted down with small rocks from the garden and filled it with water – it makes a fabulous bird bath! 

I use songbird blend bird feed. The birds love it…

(Photo: c. Pamela J. Leavey 2011)

Daily Affirmations: Inspiration

Posted by Pamela Leavey on April 18, 2011

“May this day bring me inspiration that, I may share that inspiration with others.” ~~ Pamela Leavey

(Photo: Rabbit in a thicket, Plum Island, MA, April 2011 ~ © Pamela J. Leavey)

Coyotes on Plum Island

Posted by Pamela Leavey on March 27, 2011

I was driving down to Plum Island this afternoon and had just made the corner at the airport when I spotted an animal walking out past the runway. Having lived in Los Angeles for 19 years, I recognized that it was a coyote. Although I have heard that there are coyote in this area, I had not seen one before this. Coyotes tend to be nocturnal creatures, so I was surprised to see one in the middle of the afternoon, slinking along the salt marsh heading for Plum Island.

I has however heard just yesterday that there was an article in the Newburyport Daily News about a cat missing on Plum Island and the suspicion that it had been caught by a coyote.

Well they are definitely out there on Plum Island.

A commentor on the Newburyport Daily News shared an awesome closeup photo and sighting here.

UPDATE (3/29/11): There was a good follow up piece in the Newburyport Daily News… Life With Suburban Coyotes.