Our Native Trumpeter, et al.

The cooler temperatures are here and I decide to venture out into the wilds. I return to the marsh to see our NH Trumpeter Swan, who I’ve named”Louie”, but I can’t find him anywhere. I keep searching, dragging myself and my heavy lens into the woods. No swan in sight. Could he have already migrated? I decide to call to him, even though some may not approve, to let him know he has a friend. “Ko-Hoh! Ko-Hoh!” I trumpet softly. I have grown attached to this swan because I know how special he is. I know the tragic past of the Trumpeter Swan and how it has only partially recovered its pre-colonial numbers. He paddles out from behind the reeds. “Louie!” I can hardly contain my excitement as I try not to disturb him. He pretends to ignore me, but he knows that I am there, and I know that he knows. He feels safe here, and that is a good thing.

Louie paddles around for a while in the marsh while I am there. He must know that he’s a Celebrity, right? , or else why doesn’t he acknowledge my presence like other birds do? I really just want to Hug him, but I know that would be against the rules! Before I know it, he begins to preen and clean.

Shaking the water off his wings. I never thought I’d say this, but I am in love with a bird.
After 40 minutes of this, he stops and rests his head on his body. Is he taking a nap standing up?

On an earlier outing, our group heads out from Rye Harbor to watch for whales. We see a lot of other mammals and other invertebrates as well, like this guy…

Strangest looking fish I’ve ever seen. A Sunfish! There’s a first for everything, I guess…

We see 3 different kinds of Shearwaters,

and a huge pod of 100 White Sided Dolphins surround our boat. A spiritual experience if there ever was one.

This reminds me of July, when the Dragonflies abound. There are so many different species!

This one is a Blue Dasher.

For the first time, I am lucky enough to go birding with my dear father, who turned 90 this year. Author Robert Ridgely leads the trip and helps us find this Indigo Bunting, which is the highlight of our walk. I am so happy my father got to see an Indigo Bunting. Another Life Bird for me is the Oven Bird. Simply Adorable. Evidence enough, for me, that there is a higher power.