Last year this time, I was sitting on my in-laws' couch trying to figure out how I was going to bring Flying Squirrel Outdoors to life. Though I officially didn't kick it off til Jan 1, it's hard not to think about where I've been this past year, ups and downs... And interestingly enough, part…Read more Winter Sky (Astronomy: Week of 12/24/17)
Winter Solstice (Astronomy: Week of 12/17/17)
Stars rule the night. They are more than just windows into an infinite cosmos, or keys to the history of our own world. In a more tangible sense, the stars provide humanity with a roadmap, establishing time and place. Long before artificial lights poisoned our view of the night sky, and before human industry occupied…Read more Winter Solstice (Astronomy: Week of 12/17/17)
Grounded
The shed flight feather of a common gull. Simple and elegant in its design, part of an intricate machinery that enables flight - even with a few parts missing. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott This post was published in response to the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge - "Ascend". See more responses here.
First Snow
It's been a busy week, and I blame my kids. Every night, I've got something going on that revolves around THEIR social life, up to and including tonight, where I have to go see "The Last Jedi" - and I would totally not be doing that if it weren't for them (OK, complete sarcasm here,…Read more First Snow
The Geminids Are Here! (Astronomy: Week of 12/10/17)
It's time for one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year, the Geminids - and unlike last year's show (and the Perseids earlier this year), the Moon won't be around to spoil the party. In fact, the Moon is giving somewhat of an encore to early morning viewers, rising as a waning crescent…Read more The Geminids Are Here! (Astronomy: Week of 12/10/17)
Thief!
Thief! Squirrels need love too. At least this guy is just enjoying the seed. The last feeder we put out was stolen completely and dragged off into the woods! Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott This post was submitted in response to the Daily Post's Weekly Photo Challenge - "Cheeky". See other responses here.
Imagining the Possibilities
Happy December, everybody! It's hard to believe we've come all the way around to the end of the year again, but happy to have completed the journey. For whatever reason, this time of year always stirs a wanderlust in me for getting out on the trail somewhere. It may be a conditioned response - with…Read more Imagining the Possibilities
The Moon! The Sun! The Meteors! (Astronomy: Week of 12/3/17)
Welcome to December, everybody! It's hard to believe it's already December, and that 2017 is almost over... but here we are. I'm posting my weekly backyard astronomy thoughts a day early this week, because I don't want you to miss the gloriously big, last (and only) Supermoon of the year, tonight, Dec 2. Now, the…Read more The Moon! The Sun! The Meteors! (Astronomy: Week of 12/3/17)
Serenity
Something about this time of year makes me want to be outside. Not just for a picnic - I get a longing to throw a pack on my back and disappear into the wild for a few days. This, despite the fact I know the wind will bite, and the nights will be cold. On…Read more Serenity
November Photo Summary
As is customary, here is a quick recap on the photos I've posted on Instagram this month. Enjoy!
Downeast Maine, Part 4 (Final) – Oceanarium, and Points East
This is the last installment of our summer Maine adventure. (Hooray, the crowd goes wild!) At this point, I was facing a little bit of mutiny from the boys. "No hiking today". Well, we all have our limits. So instead, we went to the Oceanarium, home of the US's only lobster hatchery, and some good…Read more Downeast Maine, Part 4 (Final) – Oceanarium, and Points East
Just Stargazing, and Wondering (Astronomy: Week of 11/26/17)
This week I've been able to get out and just look at the sky. The clouds have broken, for a while, and those crisp, clear low-humidity night skies are back. It sure is getting cold, though! Saturn and Mercury are toying with the setting Sun. Jupiter and Mars are in the morning sky, and Venus…Read more Just Stargazing, and Wondering (Astronomy: Week of 11/26/17)
Transforming
This week's photo challenge was a tricky one - how to portray change and transformation in a single shot. Where water meets land, there is an uneasy truce. Tides, storms, and the wind-driven waves are constantly altering the shoreline. It's not often visible in a given moment, but this tree bears witness. After years of…Read more Transforming
Thanksgiving Outdoors, with a Dutch Oven Turkey
If you're spending any time outside this Thanksgiving - hiking, camping, paddling... there's no need to pass on traditional holiday fare. Heck, even if you're not in the woods, this recipe yields a really tasty result, including the satisfaction of cooking over a fire! Equipment Let me just confess up front - a standard dutch…Read more Thanksgiving Outdoors, with a Dutch Oven Turkey
Downeast Maine, Part 3 – Schoodic Peninsula and Jordan Pond
On our third excursion, we found a quiet corner of Acadia. The Schoodic Peninsula lies about 20 miles east of Mount Desert Island, where Bar Harbor and the primary chunk of Acadia National Park are located. Schoodic is a quieter place, without the height and drama of large mountains and freshwater ponds, but with the…Read more Downeast Maine, Part 3 – Schoodic Peninsula and Jordan Pond
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 