Having your right foot in a cast is truly a pain in the a**. I’m not sure what is most annoying about it all, but not being able to drive is a big one. It’s tough being stuck in house and dependent on family and friends for supplies, etc…

I also sorely miss my hiking at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Maudsley State Park and along Point Shore in Amesbury. Before I started hiking a few weeks ago, a good drive along the river to Plum Island always served to clear my head.

Thankfully, my hiking partner came by to rescue me on Monday and we took a wonderful drive along the Merrimack River, from Amesbury, through Merrimack and Rock’s Village and then over the Rock’s Village Bridge and back along River Road in West Newbury (my early childhood stomping grounds).

We were looking for Bald Eagles which have been here in smaller numbers this season. The Bald Eagle proved to be elusive on Monday, but we treated to a sighting of 4 – 6 Eastern Bluebirds… Yes, that’s right, the Blue Bird Of Happiness.

Sadly, the afternoon light was not in my favor as I tried to take some photos of these delightful creatures of the Great Mother Goddess, as the photo above attests.

As we headed back to Newburyport along Rte 113, we decided to veer off and take a drive by the Upper Artichoke River Reservoir before heading home. As we drove along the reservoir we spotted a few Mute Swans gliding along the reservoir with their wings up.

What a glorious sight. I’ve had a great deal of contact with the Mute Swans in recent weeks while on my hikes on the Parker River Path.  Their grace and beauty are simply astounding and watching them fills my soul with a powerful awe.

The nearly two decades that I lived in the Los Angeles area I longed to be closer to nature. Aspects of my life have opened up and changed to provide me the time, at least for now, to enjoy this place, this glorious span of nature’s bounty, that I call home, here on the river.

Abandoned 50 gallon drums at the mouth of the Merrimack River in Newburyport…

(Photo: Plum Island Drums © Pamela J. Leavey 2011)

“Being is the practice of gratitude and compassion. I am alive only in the degree that I am moved by the tidal rhythm of receiving and giving. I am a gossamer curtain hanging in a window separating time and eternity, blowing back and forth in the everlasting breeze.” ~~ Sam Keen: Hymns To An Unknown God

(Photo: Plum Island Center, December 2010 ~ © Pamela J. Leavey)

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.

“To Be Empowered – I accept the rhythm and flow of my life. I acknowledge that nothing ever stays the same. I am open to change and remain in the moment.” – Pamela J. Leavey

(Photo: Plum Island Center, c. Pamela J. Leavey 2010)

I acknowledge the prosperity that surrounds me, loving family and friends. I am grateful for all the abundance in my life. Richness indeed begins within. ~~ Pamela J. Leavey

(Plum Island Center early December 2010, c. Pamela J. Leavey)

The greatest gift that I can give is my hope, compassion and understanding. – Pamela J. Leavey

(Photo: Plum Island Sky… c. Pamela J. Leavey 2010)

“To Be Empowered… I always do the best I can. I accept that all things take time.” ~~ Pamela J. Leavey

(Merrimack River facing Plum Island, Newburyport, MA. c. Pamela J. Leavey 2010)

“Abundance is like the ocean it ebbs and it flows. Like the leaves on the trees, today so shall mine grow.” – Pamela Leavey

(Photo: Sandy Point, Plum Island – c. Pamela J. Leavey 2009)

Home is Massachusetts… It always has been, even during the almost 19 years that I lived in Los Angeles, and the 7 lovely months I just spent in Maine, home is and always has been… Massachusetts. And… It’s good to be home.

Home is a drive along Main Street in Amesbury, looking across the Merrimack River to Newburyport… A walk along the waterfront park in downtown Newburyport, admiring all the beautiful boats in the river.

Home is a short drive to Plum Island…

There really is no place like home.