Independence Day
The significance of Independence Day is singular for each of us. For me, the Fourth of July was freedom from livestock in the mudroom. The ducklings have officially moved into the ducky halfway house. The halfway house is a portable critter house...
Atlantic Puffin and Canada Warbler Felt Kits Join the Shop
Two new Wildlife Felt Pattern Kits join the Shop - the Canada Warbler and the Atlantic Puffin.
Of Lilacs and Lupines
June is the month of lilacs and lupines. Each year I eagerly await the arrival of the lilacs. They last only a week to ten days, but oh, how I enjoy them while they’re showing. And so does Squeak. They give him good cover in the yard. The Yellow...
Introducing Downeast Thunder Farm Felt Pattern Kits!
Introducing my new Downeast Thunder Felt Pattern Kits for sale! My felt pattern obsession started out as a hobby in 2011. To date I've created over 160 patterns! Sharing them online seemed like a natural thing to do. Hearing from so many people who...
Ducklings First Swim
Join us as the ducklings (Puddles, Murphy, and Doodle) have their first swim. And meet Mr. Duck (aka Squeak). https://youtu.be/sIGenXIR1mo
A Good Way to End the Day
After I returned from an all-day meeting in Bangor, Hannah felt the need to get out and about so we found a spot to lounge on the rocks and take in the evening. Soft light, warm breeze, and good company. Not a bad view for a bit of contemplation....
California Peeps
Meet Murphy, Puddles, and Doodle, straight from California. I still amazes me that three ducklings can be shipped in a box across the country. These babies are one of Hannah's summer projects. She's determined to raise ducks that "will love us". Or...
In Search of Goslings
Hannah and I went on a brief photo journey in search of goslings. Last summer we spotted some off Beals Island. We returned to the scene and were not disappointed. I admire the goose family unit - mama and papa watching over their babies with...
A Mama and Her Babies
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...
A Lonely Duck
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...
Bluebirds!
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...
Hike to Alaska Cove
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....
A Tale of Two Woodpeckers
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...
A Timberdoodle!
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....
Moving Day
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? ...
First Beach Walk of the Season
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...
No Rest for the Weary
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...
In Search of Snowy Owls
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....
A Busy Sunday
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...
Evening Osprey
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...
Greater Yellowlegs on the Mudflats
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...
Dreaming of Felt and Choosing Colors
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...
Great Egret – Another Sign of Spring
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...
Tin Tiled Back Splash
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...
Nature is the Best Entertainment
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...
