Wherefore Art Thou, Wasps? Perhaps it’s a rather odd pastime, but all summer, my family has been observing a small group of common paper wasps that made a nest between the inner glass and the outer screen of our kitchen window. We’ve kept the window closed so we can observe them without them getting into…
Category: Wildlife
Creature Thoughts, June 2019: Salt the Humpback Whale
When my kids were very little, we adopted a whale through the Whale Adoption Project. She was one of a group that summered at Stellwagen Bank (off the coast of Massachusetts), and we adopted her for quite a few years in a row. Her name was Salt, and there had been a children’s book written about her and her first calf, Crystal.
Creature Thoughts, Aug 2018: Forever, Stars
I know that Stars would want to thank everyone, all her friends and fans, for all of the love that has been sent her way. Some might say a Starling wouldn’t understand enough to feel grateful for such love. But I know, and you know, that Stars would. She would call you all her hamsters, her very favorite word to use about things that made her happy. And you are all my hamsters, too.
Fly Free, my darling Stars
Stars, the Amazing Starling, has gone beyond. Farewell, my special friend, my little teacher, my communicator, my Mommy’s Bird. June 26th, 2008 – July 15th, 2018
Creature Thoughts, June 2016
Teach Your Children Forewarning: This issue is not your usual Creature Thoughts fare, and may be disturbing to the sensitive. Look upon your children that they may face the winds, And walk the good road to the Day of Quiet. —segment of a Sioux prayer We have a situation in our area that is…
2015’s Rehab Failure: Imprinting in Baby Wildlife
On my Animal Family page, I describe briefly how my pet Starlings and House Sparrows arrived in my life. In addition to the various other animal-servant hats I wear, I’m also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. In particular, I care for baby songbirds, raising them for release back into the wild. Most of the time, this…
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