by Susan | Jun 5, 2018 | Photography
Last month while visiting my parents, Hannah and I visited Boiling Springs and walked the lake. We spent quite a bit of time watching the Mallard mama with her babies. A flotilla coming into shore. Taking a mid morning break on the boat ramp. A fierce mama watching...
by Susan | Jun 4, 2018 | Ducks, On the Farm
It was a rough winter at Downeast Thunder Farm. Not only did we lose a chicken to the local bobcat, but we lost two of our ducks as well. During the middle of the day something, perhaps a fox, absconded with Oscar the last of our original ducks (2011). Then it was...
by Susan | May 30, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
One of the highlights of my trip to Ohio and Pennsylvania was photographing Bluebirds. Tucked in the woods I don’t have the wide open spaces they like, so I’ve only seen one over the years at my feeder. This guy was spotted on the Bio Reserve at Denison...
by Susan | May 28, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
Hannah and I trekked to Alaska Cove off Willard Point today – a spectacular afternoon for a hike. I’m not sure why we’ve never explored this trail before as it’s only fifteen minutes from the house. A Wood Thrush flitting about the undergrowth....
by Susan | May 27, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I’ve enjoyed the variety of birds at my feeding station since putting out suet cakes. In just a few moments this guy swooped in for a visit. A Hairy Woodpecker. A few seconds later a much smaller woodpecker arrived. It was a Downy Woodpecker. I’ve never...
by Susan | May 23, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
Traveling down a country road on my way to work – blueberry barrens on one side, woods on the other, I experienced a “first” this morning that kept me smiling all day. Dancing and strutting across the road was this little Timberdoodle (a.k.a....
by Susan | May 22, 2018 | On the Farm
While celebrating Paul’s birthday dinner this evening, I watched a squirrel fly across the porch. It happened so fast that I couldn’t be certain what I saw. Was it carrying something thing it’s arms? Was it squabbling with another squirrel? ...
by Susan | May 21, 2018 | On My Mind
The weather cooperated and delivered a fabulous day for our first beach walk of the season. Two beaches, two walks with lunch out sandwiched in between. The water was icy and tepid in turns. The incoming tide icy, the outgoing flow comfortable on our toes. By...
by Susan | May 19, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
The rescue mission is over. Hannah and I finally arrived home last night, her first semester of college finished. It felt so good to be back after a whirlwind ten days away. Sleeping in my own bed has never felt so good. Snape the cat was so happy to see me that he...
by Susan | May 13, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
There have been reports of a snowy owl wintering at Nubble Light at Cape Neddic as recently as a week ago. Leaving Portland heading south, I passed the exit for Cape Neddic. Do I stop? Do I keep going? Will I regret it if I don’t stop? I stopped. The hour...
by Susan | May 6, 2018 | Backyard Birds
I had some computer work planned for today. My mistake was parking myself on the sofa to do said work. I got a little distracted with the show outside the window. I can’t remember a day when I spied so many different varieties of birds all in one day. Chipping...
by Susan | Apr 25, 2018 | Birds and Wildlife, Out and About in Maine
On this gray, rainy evening I spotted an Osprey in a tree overlooking the river in East Machias. It was so dark and gloomy that I had to play with the photos to register the details. Two things stand out to me – how crazy long their talons are and how...
by Susan | Apr 24, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
I spotted this pair of birds strutting around in the river mudflats as the tide came in this evening. At first I thought they were sandpipers, but on closer inspection they appear to be Greater Yellowlegs. The shore birds are returning – a sure sign of...
by Susan | Apr 22, 2018 | Odds and Ends, Projects
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent every free moment pondering and planning developing kits for some of my patterns. It’s Paul who encouraged me to jump into this endeavor and I confess that I’ve become a bit felt obsessed. I found a wholesale source for wool...
by Susan | Apr 17, 2018 | Out and About in Maine
On my drive home tonight I spied a Great Egret on the salt pond next to the river. She had the company of a Great Blue Heron until I pulled over to snap photos. She stood so still in the landscape as if hiding in plain sight. In a flash she snagged a fish. And took...
by Susan | Apr 15, 2018 | Odds and Ends, Projects
When building our house I didn’t install a back splash in the kitchen. In part because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and in part because I just wanted to be finished! After seeing a tin tile ceiling in a restaurant, I started doing some research on...
by Susan | Apr 8, 2018 | Backyard Birds, On the Farm
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy that rare moment where I can sit on the sofa and enjoy the show outside the window. Nature really does provide the best entertainment. The squirrels who were eating me out of house and home before the new feeder pole are...
by Susan | Apr 2, 2018 | Felt Patterns, Insect Patterns
The Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly is the most common butterfly visitor to my garden. When the Asian Lilac is in bloom they flit and fly about feasting on the blooms. I’ve been known to park a chair next to the lilacs and lie in wait with my camera. Enjoy!...
by Susan | Mar 31, 2018 | On My Mind
Another birthday has come. (Yay!) Not having Hannah home has changed the dynamics for the day. For the first time ever, Paul made a birthday cake for me. Even BH (before Hannah) he would buy one from the market. Last night when I walked in the door I thought I...
by Susan | Mar 25, 2018 | Felt Patterns, Insect Patterns
Luna Moths are so beautiful and graceful. Count yourself lucky if you’ve seen one – they live such short lives. Just a couple of months and it will be the season for these elegant creatures. Dream of summer as you create this moth! Luna MothDownload...
