A Visit With My Local Keystone Species

On most summer evenings, beavers can be found foraging in the Wildlife Pond at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Last night was no exception.

According to the National Park Service:

The North American beaver is a keystone species, a unique organism that supports the entire biological community. The term “keystone” refers to a wedge-shaped block that forms the apex of a stone arch, the brick that holds the entire span in place. If you remove the keystone the arch collapses. The same can be true of a keystone species—their removal can contribute to an ecosystem collapse.

The dams that beavers build create wetlands that provide safe homes, feeding grounds and nesting areas for fish, birds, frogs, and mammals. They help to trap dirt and harmful chemicals and clean the water before it flows downstream. And of high importance in these times of global warming, the dams help to hold back water during heavy storms and slowly release stored water during dry summer months.

Beavers live in lodges like this one at Wachusett Meadow that sports a “late summer greenery” look. I’ve photographed this lodge in all seasons. Click here for some different lodge views. Click here to learn more about the design of the lodge.

Last night this single beaver busily munched lily pads, and barely noticed me a few feet away on the dock. I watched as it used its ten fingers to prepare and eat dinner.

This video from a previous post shows the hands at work.


In this video short, a juvenile otter’s cry can be heard as the the beaver forages. Although the beaver paused each time it heard the otter, it remained unconcerned. Shortly after the beaver dives, the abrupt splashing of otters diving nearby can be heard.

The otter family that swam quickly by can thank the beaver for this environment . Otters and beavers are not “friends”; rather they are more like neighbors who tolerate each other. Occasionally, an otter might pose a threat to a young beaver, as otters are carnivores.

The lower left edge of this photo shows the observation dock where I was standing. I managed to take one photo of the otters before they dived away. There is plenty of space for both otters and beavers to live here. Over the years, I’ve photographed many other creatures who depend on the beavers for their habitat. You can view a selection of them below.

Phoebe
Green Frog
Painted Turtle
Painted Turtles
Canada Geese With Goslings
Kingfisher
Canada Goose and Mergansers
White-tailed Deer
Great Blue Heron
Red-wing Blackbird
Otter
Mallards

You can find more information about beavers in Massachusetts here. I also recommend Ben Goldfarb’s Eager:The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. He sums up his book in this way:

“Beaver Pledge: One river, underground, irreplaceable, with habitat and wetlands for all.”

Mokuso

Mokuso is a Japanese term meaning “silent reflection” or “meditation”. In photography, it refers to a mindful state of calm awareness. The photographer breathes quietly and steadily, observes a scene deeply and waits patiently to capture the right moment .

Late afternoon/ Holden, Massachusetts

Vantage Points

The Visitors Center at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary provides ample opportunities for accessible views of nature.

Relax on the porch to view grapes, hummingbirds and the South Meadow.

From your seat, the grape leaves above provide both cool shade and a view of the meadow beyond.

Hummingbird feeders hang just a few feet from you, near the grape vines.

Just to the left of the parking lot, stone walls lend a shady spot at the edge of the sheep pen.

The friendly sheep will often come to you, and allow you to pat them.

From the pen, traditional wooden fencing and movable fencing allow the sheep to graze a variety of pastures. You can also view the beaver wetlands beyond.

Another accessible trail leads directly from the Visitors Center to open views of the North Meadow. The Meadow sign is also written in Braille underneath the English, and is linked to an audio tour for the visually impaired. In the ever-changing meadow, you might view any of the flora and fauna below:

Japanese Spirea
Red-winged blackbird

Eastern Yellow Swallowtail
Canada Geese

Mourning Dove

“Beauty For A Day”

The scientific name for daylilies, hemerocallis, comes from the Greek words hermera, meaning day and kallos, meaning beauty. The two terms together can be translated as “beauty for a day”. This term aptly describes the lifespan of the plant, as each individual flower lasts only one day.

Daylilies are at their height in Central Massachusetts right now. As I travel the area, colorful lily displays abound, most likely due to the consistent sun and heat this season. Below are a few “beauties for a day” that I enjoyed in my own garden recently.

Orangeade

My yard is popping with orange this week.

Holden, Massachusetts
Orange daylilies like this one abound everywhere I look. They are also known as “ditch lilies”, as they thrive in neglected areas like drainage ditches, fields, and railroad tracks. These humble plants are very hardy and extremely easy to grow. They don’t mind poor soil, tolerate pollution and drought, and prevent soil erosion. Ditch lily blossoms are edible, and sometimes cooked in a similar manner to squash blossoms.

The ditch lily softens and adds interest to this fieldstone foundation.

Asiatic lilies take up where the ditch lilies left off. Unlike the ditch lilies that grow from roots, Asiatic lilies grow from bulbs, are are highly prized for cut flowers. Here the lilies are placed in front of a spirea bush for contrast.
The aptly named “candy corn” spirea picks up on the orange theme with leaves that change from green to orange to red over time.
Candy corn spireas are topped off with raspberry blossoms.

Here, the Asiatic lilies contrast with evergreens nearby, lending a more “Eastern” feeling.

The plain ditch lilies thrive in front of a hemlock tree and a bucket of flowers. (The flowers in the bucket are fake, having been placed there earlier for some needed color, but are surely not necessary now. )
Hurrah for orangeade in July!

A Bit of England

Walking by this beautiful English Tudor Revival home near the center of Holden, Massachusetts, I am reminded of one of the links between England and New England.

The 1920s and 1930s were the heyday of the Tudor Revival style in the United States. The steeply pitched roofs and sturdy masonry held up to the harsh New England winters, and the “old world charm” blended well with historic colonial homes of the era.

A wide porch overlooks a spacious walkway lined by roses.

Stones such as this one with gothic details were often used as “capstones” at the end of walkways.

A second porch features a covered doorway entrance; the peace symbol over the door is a welcome light at night.

The diamond-patterned grills in the top floor windows are typical of Tudor style, as are the dark frames around all the windows.

The sturdy wooden fence allows the owner’s pets plenty of room to roam safely near a busy street.

The home once belonged to the owners of a large woolen mill in Holden. The inscription 1741-1991 refers to the towns 250 year celebration held in 1991.

The garden’s old style swing is an invitation to slow down in these busy times.

The grounds feature ceramics,

charming relaxed seating,

and beehives. The owners are beekeepers and honey from the hives is sold in a local shop in Holden.

Zen Ruckus

A quiet area for bird viewing in back of the visitor’s center at Wachusett Meadow was not all serenity and contemplation on a recent breezy morning.

A perfect Zen moment with European starlings.

A bluejay gets some unexpected company at the birdbath hand carved from river rocks..

Cirque de Squirreleil suddenly begins…

The game is afoot!

Just hanging around after all that action.

Juvenile starlings are known to squabble.

The gray squirrel and starling share the scene peacefully.

The chipmunk’s color almost matches the birdbath.

Calm returns.

The stump on the left is topped by a cookie, which is a horizontal slab of wood. I shared more information about cookies in a recent post.

My Local Survivor

I live a few miles from Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, Massachusetts, the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. It is a monadnock, a rock that resisted erosion better than the surrounding land and stands alone above the lower hills. I think it is appropriate that this isolated peak that endured hundreds of millions of years in this manner is also called a “survivor“ mountain.

This “survivor” can be seen rising above the lower lands from numerous settings in the surrounding towns, and is a celebrated landmark in the region. Here, it rises above the farmland in Sterling, Massachusetts.


Earlier this spring, a roadside walk near the mountain’s base revealed both its rock structure and a quintessential spring woodland vista. Boulders tumble along the hilly roadside, and a hardwood forest grows among the rocks.

Caves and shelters are covered by maple alumroot, a member of the coral bell family, common in New England.

The alumroot looks surprisingly like a carpet of maple leaves.

Monadnocks contain singular large upstanding rocks called “glacial erratics”, which were likely deposited during the last ice age over 400 million years ago.

The top third of this glacial erratic displays reddish colored rock tripe, an edible lichen known as “famine food” . It was consumed by early European explorers, indigenous peoples, and George Washington’s starving troops during the winter at Valley Forge. It is very bitter and must be boiled before eating.

Hardwood tree roots share space around and on top of large boulders. Tree trunks sometimes grow in the rock space itself. In contrast, a common red maple sapling is just beginning to grow in this crowded area.

This “cave” is formed by metamorphic rocks ( rocks that have been transformed by heat, pressure and chemical reactions deep within the Earth) . Natural rock shelters such as these are believed to have been used by the Nipmuc people, who made their home here before European colonization. In fact Wachusett means mountain place in the Nipmuc/Algonquin language. These caves were likely used for protection from the elements, or for the storage of food.

Trees growing out of rocks and bending toward the light are demonstrating phototropism, the manner in which plants naturally grow towards light sources.

Celebrate this survivor, but beware when driving!

Ancient Irises

A lightly edited reblog of a post from this day in 2021.

Iris means “rainbow” in Greek.

In Greek mythology, the goddess Iris carried messages from heaven to earth on the arc of the rainbow. Beautiful flowers appeared wherever she set foot on the ground.

Irises in a rainbow of colors are blooming in my garden this week!

The Wabash Tall Bearded Iris, introduced in 1936, an is an award-winning heirloom flower.

A group of Honorabile Iris. This vigorous heirloom bearded iris was introduced in Paris in 1840, and carried across the United States by the pioneers.

The Amas Iris was collected in Turkey in the late 1800s. It is larger than many other irises.

Pallida Sweet Irises are prized for their sweet grape-like or powdery scent. Many modern irises have only a mild scent, or no scent at all.

Welcome Back

After a long snowy winter, old favorite flora and fauna are once again reappearing in my yard.

A Juvenile Gray Catbird enjoys a bath.

American Cranberrybush Viburnum

Boomerang Lilac

Flame Azalea

Pink Rhododendron

The Eastern Bluebird builds a home.

Pagoda Dogwood

A juvenile Eastern Cottontail Rabbit hides among Solomon’s Seal and Robin Runaway.

Our perpetual goose visits the Red Azalea.

Even this particular heron came back to admire the rhododendron blossoms.

Our Zen Garden houses favorite statuary and seasonal visitors.

It overlooks the woods, which is filled with many types of wildlife.

Native New Englanders

It wouldn’t be spring without the return of these native plants in my yard. According to the National Audubon Society:

Native plants thrive in your local climate and soil, making them low-maintenance and naturally pest -resistant. By supporting the local food web, they provide vital food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and bees while helping conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and build healthier ecosystems.

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Wild Strawberry

Ostrich Fern

Fleabane

Sensitive Fern

Solomon’s Seal

Edible Petals

The Baldwin apple tree in my yard is teeming with blossoms this week. This classic heirloom apple was discovered around 1740 in Massachusetts. It became the most popular and commercially successful variety in New England right up until 1934, when a deep freeze killed millions of the trees, nearly wiping out the variety.

Baldwin blossoms are part of the rose family, and the petals are edible. They are noted for being highly fragrant and sweeter tasting than modern apple varieties. They can be used as a garnish for salads or desserts, in herbal teas, infused in liqueur or even made into apple bossom jelly.

Holden, MA

An Easter Tradition

My family learned to decorate traditonal Easter eggs, called pysanky, over 20 years ago. First we used a pin- drag method; free form designs were created using this technique later. Eventually, we used the masking tape Batik method. Although slightly faded, these decades- old eggs still bring me pleasure when they are displayed each spring.

Pensées

The word pansies comes from the French word pensées, which means “thoughts”. For centuries, pansies have been given as symbols of remembrance, contemplation and love.

On a visit to a local nursery, I saw thousands of pensées, or pansies, in all colors. One of the first flowering spring plants in Massachusetts, they are also practical. Both their petals and leaves are edible, and have a slightly spicy flavor similar to lettuce. They are a source of vitamins A and C.

There are about 400 varieties of pansies. They are popular due to their hardiness and adaptability.

In Victorian times sending pansies as a gift meant “I’m thinking of you”. Coded messages of feelings or intentions toward another person were sent via the color of a particular flower.

Although the symbolism of colors might change over the years, blue often symbolized peace, tranquility and faithfulness.

Orange often meant energy and enthusiasm.

White most often symbolized purity.

Cheerfulness and happiness was symbolized by yellow; red could stand for thoughts of love.

Wishing you many colorful thoughts this spring!

Ears To You

In these troubled times, moments of laughter and seasonal festivity can provide relief from the never ending news cycle. Here are some photos from a spring visit to my local vintage shop, which both adults and children can enjoy.

What did one rabbit say to the other? You’re ear-resistable.

What do rabbits say before they eat? Lettuce pray.
What is a rabbit’s favorite dance style? Hip-hop.
What did the rabbit say to his wife? No bunny compares to you.
Why do bunnies like to stay together? Because they’re just one big hoppy family.
What did the carrot say to the bunny? Do you want to grab a bite?
Why don’t rabbits get hot in the summer? They have hare-conditioning.
What do you call a line of rabbits hopping backwards? A receding hare line.
Where does a bunny go if he loses his tail? A retail store.
Somebunny is thinking of you this spring!

Thanks to Punsnet for their joke listings.

Lunch at the Tree Cookie Cafe

Tree Cookies are cross section slices of tree trunks, like these at Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow. They are used to learn about a tree’s age, growth and history by studying its growth rings. (Video clip at end.)

Recently, tree stumps and cookies were used in the design of a new bird feeding area.

It’s a popular feeding stop for birds and other creatures, such as…

the eastern gray squirrel,

the white-breasted nuthatch,

and the downy woodpecker.

Bon appetit!

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Colorshift

In photography, “colorshift” refers to the time at twilight when the sky transforms in minutes through what is sometimes called a “kaleidoscope” of color. Last evening, the skies above my house colorshifted in a dramatic changing show of orange, pink and blue.

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Rafts and Paddlings

A “raft” of ducks is a collective noun for a group of ducks who gather together as they float on the water. A “paddling” of ducks describes how a group moves across lakes, ponds or rivers with synchronized , graceful movements. I look forward to the March arrival of hooded mergansers at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Center soon, whether they are rafting or paddling.

This raft of hooded mergansers are diving ducks that have a serrated bill designed for catching fish. Along with other mergansers, they are the only North American ducks specializing in eating fish. They are excellent divers, and can go as deep as thirty feet.

The male hooded merganser looks like this when relaxing…

or can raise and lower a large fan-like crest or “hood” on his head like this. The crest is raised during courting or when then duck feels threatened.

Two male Mergansers with crests down…

and three paddling with crests raised.
This raft of female mergansers sports smaller crests of a cinnamon-brown shade.

The crest is sometimes described as a “punk rock hairstyle”.

Male mergansers have intense, bright yellow eyes while the females’ are brown or reddish-brown. Their eyes are specially adapted to allow them to see clearly while fishing underwater.

It can be difficult to photograph hooded mergansers, as they are shy and paddle fast. They are sensitive to sound and movement, and move away quickly when approached. I’ll be waiting -quietly -to photograph whatever fleeting moments are possible.

This Art Rocks and Remembers/ My Jurassic Valley, Part 3

Rock specimens from around the globe on display at the Beneski Museum show how rocks from millions of years ago are used in contemporary art and home design.

Agate, which is a type of quartz, forms over millions of years inside cavities in volcanic or ancient lava rocks. Because of their natural beauty agate slices and patterns are frequently used in wall murals, canvas art prints, jewelry and even kitchen counter tops.

Andalusite Hornfels is a metamorphic rock which includes crystal within it. It is around 400 million years old. These crystals can resemble seeds, pods, or stems, giving the rock a deceptive organic look. Because of its toughness and attractive appearance, it is frequently used in architecture for interior flooring and curbing, and also in modern art installations.


Sutured Ammonites were prehistoric marine animals that went extinct approximately 65 million years ago.  This fossil exhibits natural “fractal-like” patterns, which are the wavy lines (sutures) formed where the internal chamber walls (septa) met the outer shell. These intricate, often leaf-like or feathered designs, are highly valued in both fine art and personal crafts. 



This fossil plate contains several crinoids, prehistoric marine animals commonly known as “sea lilies” from about 345-350 million years ago. While they strongly resemble plants, crinoids are actually related to starfish and sea urchins. These limestone or shale slabs are popular as interior decor, in specialized jewelry, and as inspiration for acrylic painting.

This item is an Ammonite, which is a fossilized shell of an extinct marine mollusk that lived millions of years ago.  The fossils are often used in jewelry, textile or surface designs and home decor.

Bluebird Stopover

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds brightened up my snowy yard on a gray morning. The specially designed bluebird house installed for them has an opening of exactly 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure that larger birds cannot nest there. Although bluebirds often visit, and occasionally start to build a nest, they never stay through the whole season. After territorial skirmishes sparrows win out. Fingers crossed for this spring!

Holden, MA

How’s Your Heron?

It won’t be long until the great blue herons return to the Wachusett Meadow in March.

Herons are important for the environment as they act as “indicator species”. Scientists monitor heron populations to detect environmental contamination, such as toxins in the water or mercury levels in eggs, which reflects the health of the entire ecosystem.

Although they are named “great blue”, herons can look grey or brown depending on the light conditions.

This great blue heron does look blue. Herons appear bluest in low light, fog, or shadows, which reflect cooler, blue tones.

This heron is taking advantage of the All-Persons Observation Deck.

Herons are known for their exceptional camouflage, often appearing nearly invisible when perched among dead branches, or debris.

This heron can see well from high up in the tree. Its eyesight is estimated to be about three times more detailed than a human’s. From this high perch, a heron can spot small movements below.

Great Blue Herons are expert fishers, but they will eat almost anything they can catch and swallow. In a meadow, herons hunt for small mammals, which can make up a large portion of its diet, especially in winter when waterways freeze . 

The Great Blue Heron is widely considered one of the most prehistoric-looking birds alive today. While all birds are living descendants of dinosaurs, herons appear more like dinosaurs because of their large size, sharp angles and guttural sounds.

Herons possess specialized flexible necks with 19 to 21 vertebrae.

They can form their necks into an S-shaped curve which acts like a coiled, spring-loaded mechanism. This allows them to catch prey in the water with high speed and precision.

My Jurassic Valley, Part 2

In addition to the world’s largest collection of dinosaur footprints, the Beneski Museum features skeletons and casts of dinosaurs and primitive animals.

A Dryosaurus altus skeleton watches at the window of the Beneski Museum at Amherst College. It is the most complete and best-preserved of that species in existence today. This small, fast running herbivore lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 to 145 million years ago. When it arrived at the museum the students joked that there is a new vegan in town.  

Watch out for that Triceratops!

A fossil cast of the head and thoracic armor of a Dunkleosteus, a large armored fish. It is around 300 million years ago, and likely grew up to 33 feet in length.

A fossil skeleton of a Smilodon, or saber toothed cat.

A skeleton of a Cave Bear. They were as large as or larger than present day bears.

The Main Hall at the Museum features three major Ice Age Skeletons: the Columbian Mammoth at the right; the American Mastodon at the left; and the Irish Elk at center.

Mammoth Tusks

The museum’s prehistoric mammal collection wall display features nine different fossil mammal mounts collected during Amherst College expeditions to the American West in the early 20th century.

My Jurassic Valley, Part 1

The Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College, Massachusetts houses the world’s most extensive collection of fossil dinosaur tracks, primarily from the Connecticut River Valley, where I grew up. 
 These tracks from the Jurassic period are around 190 million years old. In addition to dinosaur tracks, it showcases actual dinosaur body fossils, casts from a variety of historical periods, and an exhibit of stones from all over the world.

Although this Tyrannosaurus rex (T.Rex) cast is not from the Jurassic Period, it inspires visitors to touch, measure and experience the cast close up, and immerse themselves in the world of dinosaurs.

Edward Hitchcock began his study of dinosaurs when the existence of dinosaurs- even the word, “dinosaur” -was unknown. A deeply religious man, he did not believe in evolution at first, but he did believe in the scientific method. By the end of his life, he was a supporter of evolution. The Hitchcock Ichnology Collection contains more than 1,100 slabs of fossil tracks and traces from the Connecticut River Valley. They provided the first evidence of dinosaurs in North America.

Many footprints are displayed along the wall for easy viewing, as if in an art gallery. The collection of tracks is known as “the stone book”.

These tracks were made by small to medium-sized dinosaurs. Hitchcock originally thought they were bird tracks.

A track close up.

Not only are fossils on the walls, but here you can see actual dinosaur prints placed at waist level on the museum’s fossilized dinosaur trackway. The large flat sandstone slabs display various footprints and impressions left by dinosaurs that once roamed the Connecticut River Valley during the Triassic and Jurassic eras.

Truly a hands-on exhibit,

and a chance to walk with the dinosaurs.

Jurassic Morning is a diorama created by artist Will Sillin. This artwork depicts the Connecticut River Valley as it appeared 190 million years ago during the Jurassic period.

The Connecticut River at Northfield, MA today.

On the Ground In All Seasons

Don’t forget the bird action at ground level.

Palm Warbler

America Tree Sparrow With Red Squirrel

Bobolink

Northern Cardinal, Eastern Blue Jays and Red-winged Blackbirds

Juvenile Blue Jay

Dark-eyed Junco

American Goldfinch

Red-winged Blackbird

Grackle

White-throated Sparrows

Ewe Can Do It

Sheep at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary spend fall days on the go.

Visitors are greeted with this sign at the entrance.

I’ve watched this sheep and her friends

walking the stone wall,

choosing fresh tree leaves to munch on,

strolling through the Visitor’s Center entrance,

and posing for a painting.

Then there’s time for a bit of lawn grazing,

flower pot grazing,
mirror-image grazing,
and a pause to show off luxurious layers of wool.
Finally it’s back into the sheep pen,

and a quick rub against the scratching post.

Dinner Awaits!

Top Seeds

Diverse and energetic birds welcome visitors to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Feeders are placed just steps from the parking lot, allowing everyone to experience nature up close, no matter their mobility level.

Purple Finches and a Goldfinch

Male Purple Finch

Female Purple Finch

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Grackle

Tufted Titmouse

Evening Grosbeak

Northern Cardinal

The Original Tick Tock

Delaney Antique Clocks of Townsend, MA has the largest collection of American tall case (grandfather) clocks in the United States. It is considered the leading venue for buying and selling antique clocks in the country.

Although tall case clocks were first developed in England, production of these clocks in America was at its height from around 1750–1820.  These clocks could be six to nine feet tall, with an 8-day brass-movement. They were symbols of wealth in American homes.

The shop owners, John and Sean Delaney, regularly appear on Antiques Roadshow (PBS) to appraise clocks such as these.

This is an example of a highly sought after Willard Clock. I explored these famous clocks on an earlier blog here.

Clocks with a moon function were common on tall case clocks.The painted moon disk rotates to display the current phase of the moon. The numbers in the arch (5, 10, 15, 20) are part of the 29.5-day lunar calendar, with the number 15 indicating a full moon. This feature was historically useful for planning travel, fishing or farming activities at night when moonlight was essential before the advent of electricity.
The moon faces themselves were hand painted and displayed intricate artistry.
The shuttlecock moves back and forth in this hand painted clock.

A Windmill symbolized rural prosperity.

An urn symbolized immortality and classical refinement.

The clock shop is located in a small town which is known for its antiques.

A great place to spend some time!

In Your Own Time

There’s a clock for every taste at our local clock shop.

North Brookfield, MA

Christmas-Themed Cuckoo Clock

Ice Cream Retro Kitchen Clock

The Valencias Sunflower Clock features a reproduction of a 1910s antique fruit crate label.

Internet Clock

The Melting Salvador Dali Clock of the 1970s was meant to hang from a shelf.

Although this Bottle Cap Clock looks handmade, it was mass produced.

Ansonia Style Mantle Clock.

Wire Transfer Wall Clock

Victorian Style Clock

Cat and Fish Wall Clock

A Poet For a Snowy Evening

The American poet Robert Frost taught at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts for decades.

This eight-ton granite statue of Frost, created by sculptor Penelope Jencks, is featured in the Main Quadrangle at the college.

It depicts a seated Frost holding a book.
He is looking toward the library that is named in his honor.
The backdrop to the statue is the Mt. Holyoke range.
A perfect place to consider your own promises to keep.
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Take a Seat…

and enjoy the possibilities within a garden.

Hydrangeas lend a “secret garden feel ” to this conversation area.
Tall phlox provide a shelter for solitary meditation.
This wooden bench folds for winter storage. A just-picked garlic crop dries beside it on an all season table.
Coleus and evergreens stay cool in the shadier area near the road where neighbors walk by or come to visit.

The hand made wooden bench in the zen garden was fashioned from recycled stair steps. It is a perfect place for reflection.
There is room under the apple tree for picnics and conversation. Potted young plants enjoy the shade, as well.
Gardening celebrates life and growth!

Shinshin

“Shinshin” is a Japanese term for the deep silence of a fresh snowfall, or the “sound of no sound” as soft snow absorbs sound. It evokes a sense of calm and stillness, and is a favored time for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Holden, Massachusetts/ The Morning of January 19, 2026

Authors Ridge

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts is often described as a literary pilgrimage site for those who come to pay respects at Authors Ridge, where they may visit the graves of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott.

It is a bit of a climb to the top of the Ridge.

Henry David Thoreau’s family marker. Visitors often leave pencils at Thoreau’s site, both as a tribute to his writing , as well as his family’s ownership of a pencil factory. (I did not see any pencils during my visit.)
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s grave site. In 2006, his wife and daughter were interred beside him.
The Alcott Family Marker

Flowers, stones and written tributes have been carefully placed on Louisa May Alcott’s Grave.

A stone marker leads the way to Emerson’s grave.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s rose quartz stone.
The inscription is from Emerson’s poem, “The Problem,” which reads: “The passive Master lent his hand/ to the vast soul that o’er him planned,” reflecting his Transcendentalist ideas about the divine in humanity.

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Stone, Glass, Wood / 1888-2026

The Gale Free Library of Holden, Massachusetts exemplifies adaptive reuse architecture, where old buildings are updated for modern uses while still preserving their historic character.

Built in 1888, the library was originally a high school.
Historic stained glass windows are being restored.
The original stone exterior melds with a modern interior extension.
An enlarged historic photograph greets visitors to the second floor.
Wood beams and lighting soften the stone, while the rooflighting above floods the space with light.

The Children’s Room is currently being updated, but a peek through the door hints at learning and fun to come.
In the reading room room traditional statuary and stained glass windows are enhanced with tiny golden lights.

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Traveling Uke

Several months ago, I joined a ukulele group. We strum together each week, sharing songs from long ago right up to the present day. We also perform at local nursing homes, senior centers and town events. Our performances last summer included a Christmas in July celebration, a luau and a local town fair. It’s fun to see the smiles that ukulele music brings to the faces of our audiences. We also enjoy being part of the global resurgence of the ukulele’s popularity in the 21st century.

This affordable and portable instrument is capable of a wide range of styles and uses. Here, the ukulelist Cynthia Lin leads a simple Hawaiian rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow while hundreds play along. Here, virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro demonstrates the full capabilities of the ukulele with his rendition of of Bohemian Rhapsody.

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Local Menagerie

There is no shortage of wildlife in Central Massachusetts. Here is a sample of photographs from this year.

North American Beaver
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

Tufted Titmouse
Scarlet Tanager

White-tailed Deer
Eastern Chipmunk
Red-winged Blackbird

North American Porcupine

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (With Herdwick Sheep)
Northern Cardinal (Male)

Northern Cardinal (Female)
Northern House Wren

House Finch

Eastern Bluebird

Gray Squirrel
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Female)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( Juvenile Male)
American Black Bear (seen in my back yard and photographed from a safe distance through the window).

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Laurel is Hardy

The nearly 100 year old Mountain Laurel in my yard is still going strong.

Mountain Laurel is a common hardy evergreen in Central Massachusetts. It can withstand quite cold and snowy winters in the north of the United States.

The evergreen leaves of the Mountain Laurel offer excellent winter protection for birds. They give crucial shelter from wind and cold.
Diverse, abundant and large lichens are excellent natural indicators of clean air. They are effective because they absorb nutrients and pollutants directly from the air. Birds find insects and spiders hiding under tree lichens. These provide them with energy when other sources of food are scarce.
Mountain Laurel berries are not a favorite food of birds. However, they can provide nourishment when food supplies are limited, especially at the end of winter.

Birdbaths underneath the laurel are covered in black tarps. In the spring, they will be filled again. Fresh water will be offered under the laurel, in addition to the food and protection to be found there .

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The Enchanting Blue Hour

Photographers love the “blue hour”, and I was lucky to capture this phenomenon on Solstice Evening. The blue hour is the period just before or just after the sunset. During this time, the landscape, including frozen ponds like this one, is bathed in deep blue light. In northern climates this phenomena often occurs in the colder months.

Wildlife Pond, Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow

Beavers have kept a stream of water open. It leads to a water hole on the far left. They use this opening to crawl onto the ice.

A close up of the beaver’s hole. Notice the small sticks and branches left on top of the ice.

Currier and Ives Skies

Currier & Ives produced popular lithographs depicting idyllic American winter scenes during the 19th century. These prints featured snow-covered New England towns, with skies of icy-blue or gray enhanced with subtle color shifts. Here are my “updated” Currier and Ives style selections from the most recent snowstorm here in Central Massachusetts.

Holden, Massachusetts

Winter Morning Currier and Ives/ Public Domain
Winter Pastime/ Currier and Ives/ Public Domain

It’s a Color Blast

The Arctic Blast last evening delivered extraordinary, if fleeting, sunset colors that swirled around my rooftop. After the vivid colors faded, temperatures sunk to 6° F., the coldest of the season. Wind chills felt as low as -5°F. My blog’s title “From My Window” can be taken quite literally in this case.

Holden Massachusetts