Through The Looking Glass: March 2014

Little Peconic River, Cranberry Bog Preserve

We are sixteen days from the Vernal Equinox (March 20th) and since this winter has been the snowiest in recent memory, Polar Vortex inspired beauty abounded. I don't let the weather stop me from rambling..and there are many beautiful refuges and seashores to explore. So here is a potpourri of photos taken on Long Island winter rambles.

Little Peconic River, looking the other way from the bridge..

Cranberry Bog Preserve is a 165 acre refuge in Riverhead, New York. There is a mile long loop trail around Swezey Pond, which was made by damming the Little Peconic River to produce a bog for Cranberry growing venture. In the warm moths Lady Slippers and other native plants, including rare bog plants, can be found. On this day, all was white and still except for the whistle of a Kingfisher.

The Elizabeth Morton Wildlife Refuge is a 187 acre penninsula on Noyack and Little Peconic Bays. It is best known for it's stunning waterfront and for friendly birds. Unfortunately the refuge is being over run by invasive plants..most notably mile-a-minute vine Despite new signs everywhere, saying "don't feed the wildlife" folks still come to feed the birds and they are tame.

House Finch

Tirmouse, the birds posed..I take no credit!

Hello! Eastern Towhee.

I feel friendly!

Song Sparrow

Stocking up!

White Throated Sparrow

As I've said, the birds are friendly..

Snow etched trees in recently designated park land,
right down the street from me!

Winter Wonderland at Quoque Wildlife Refuge.
Rescued animals are tended at this refuge

Pond at Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Calverton Ponds Preserve is 350-acre oak-pine forest containing coastal plain ponds, one of the rarest wetland types in North America. Coastal plain ponds are fed by ground water, rather than streams. After the turn of the 20th century, Calverton Ponds were altered to create commercial cranberry bogs, which were in operation for over 50 years. Now they are home to fragile ecosystems and rare plants and animals

Reflections on Block Pond

Sandy Pond on a windy day

Cold Ducks on Forge River

Forge River is a mecca for ducks in the winter

But I had better luck having ducks pose for me, near the Smithpoint Bridge, over Bellport Bay. Smithpoint is the gateway to the Fire Island National seashore.

Red Breasted Merganser.

Pair of Western Grebes

A baffle of Buffle heads ;-)

Sunset that night, Over Bellport Bay

Deer hoping for food in Smith Point parking lot.
Of course it is forbidden to feed them. Of course it is done.

Ducks are not the only wildlife to overwinter on Long Island..Seal cruises offered by the Riverhead Foundation, leave from the Freeport Town dock in Nassau County, to explore Hempstead Bay. On the day I went out we found a group of 45 Harbor Seals. Harbor Seals can also be seen on foot, at Cupsogue Beach in Suffolk County.