Pandion haliaetus

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a badass bird of prey. Here's a few pics of one I saw aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia today.











Also saw a nasty Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Foragin for Froggies

I was watching Swamp People on the History channel today and realized those people have something right. They make the best use of the resources available to them. Whether it be fishing for gators, catching snakes, hunting frogs, or noodling catfish, them Cajuns get by on what the land provides. Well shit I thought, I can do that. Around 3am I took my dog and gun and headed down to the Charles river. It didn't take long to follow the sound of a frog and spot him with my flashlight. A single shot from my air rifle was all it took. I snatched up the catch and Indy and I happily trotted home to reap the bounty.

Here's Indy with our catch


Indy investigating the kill


Slice off the legs, snip the feet, and peel off his drawers


A little Shake 'n' Bake and Cajun seasoning couldn't hurt


Fry em up in some olive oil and you're good to go


Looks and tastes like chicken, Delicious!


And good to the last bite

Farming in Massachusetts?

I was driving to Bubbling Brook today to get some ice cream. The building has been standing since the 1800's and has been a restaurant for almost as long. If you're ever in Westwood MA during the summer it's an excellent spot to get some fried calms and onion rings followed by a soft serve twist or a hard stacked waffle cone. On the way there I was delayed by a slow moving vehicle in the road. Normally I would have been pissed off, tailgating perhaps, beeping, cursing under my breath and shaking my fist. After a month in VT I kept my distance, drove slow, and marvelled at the fact that a piece of agricultural machinery was braving the road so close to Boston. Something tells me the other commuters did not share in my revelry. If only they knew just how depleted our foodshed really is.

Summer Session comes to an end

As I was preparing to leave Sterling I hesitated, aware that I would not be present for the summer season in Vermont for quite some time. I had a wonderful month but alas, all things must come to an end. I was one of the last students to leave, departing sometime around noon on Saturday, lingering for the last moments of who might appear and what might be. Touring the empty campus I realized something important. It is the people that make the place. Without them any place is as good as the next. What distinguishes Sterling is the caliber of self-reliant yet interdependent individuals who do not think twice to assert that all are welcome. Here are some pictures of my last few moments at Sterling. Even devoid of human activity, the evidence of creativity is not lost.

I love the Narwhals in the clouds


This quilt is from the year I first applied to this school


A good place to share a meal


As is this


And here


On the way out of town I stopped once more at the general store for some good honest conversation free from rushing and ignoring, no bluetooths, doors held and courtesies rendered, no pressing matters more important than connecting with your fellow man.