Pamela Leavey

words and pictures....

Browsing:

Tag: River National Wildlife Refuge

On The Parker River Path

It’s been three and a half weeks since I last walked On The Parker River Path. The beaver dam pictured above was a familiar sight as we hiked Hellcat Swamp at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

I learned while walking the Parker River Path to watch for nature’s changes each hike, as nature’s changes were life’s changes.

Sometimes we build a dam around us for protection. Sometimes we soar over the trees filled with joy. There are days when our lives are filled with turbulent winds and days when we light up like the sun.

I keep the lessons of the Parker River Path close to my heart right now, until I can walk that path again. The lessons of the Parker River Path give me faith that the Great Mother Goddess is always with us. She is the primal heartbeat within us all.

Related Images:


On The Parker River Path: In Flight

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)

Related Images:


On The Parker River Path

On the Parker River Path, the vista is in constant flux… much like our own lives…

(Photo: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ~~ c. Pamele J. Leavey 2011)

Related Images:


On The River

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, (more…)

Related Images:


On The Parker River Path

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. (more…)

Related Images:


On The River

It’s rainy and gray on the river today and apparently there will be more of that for the next couple of days… There will be no cleaning up the front flower garden until the rain stops.

I’m excited to share that I received a request from a friend today to use one of my photos of a small boat on the river for the newsletter of Newburyport’s American Yatch Club. I’ll have a PDF copy of the newsletter in a few days and will upload that so that readers can see the photo. 

In the meantime I’m waiting patiently as many are for Spring to arrive full force. The last of snow piled up from the snow plow has finally melted down in the back yard and I’m anxious to till the vegetable garden plot and enlarge it from last year’s late planting when I moved into my river view apartment.

For now I’ll just watch the birds here in the back yard and on the river and dream of sunny days to come.

(Photo: Canadian Geese at Plum Island River, Newbury Salt Marsh, March 2011 — c. Pamela J. Leavey)

A little local info… The Plum Island River connects the Parker River to the Merrimack River at the mouth of the Merrimack and it separates Plum Island from the mainland. Plum Island is the home of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, which is a prime birding location. 

Related Images: