…It was a most gruesome spectacle. Nevertheless, Todd completed his mission. His load may have been lighter, but that could hardly have been comforting to a young boy and his…
Once Upon an Island
This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue\n\n Ernest “Ernie” Feske. Photos courtesy of Ned and Carol Libby. It was a lazy summer afternoon in the mid-1950s when Ernest…
Tales of a Connecticut River Ferryman’s Son #2
…ferry the New York mail pouch to Old Lyme.” “Look. It’s an ad for a company called The Pony Express. They’re looking for riders to sign up now to start…
The Falls
…it slides over the precipice. David Leff is an award-winning essayist, poet, and former deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. His website: www.davidkleff.com\n\n Image Credit: Getty Images/connerscott1.\n\n…
A Century Ago, Odell Shepard Fell in Love with New England
A Century Ago, Odell Shepard Fell in Love with New England \n\n By Paul Spitzer\n\n Image Credit: Getty Images/Daniel Hanscom. This teacher, scholar, poet, and wayfarer was an editor and…
Gardening for Good: The Dark Side of Light
This article appears in the Spring 2024 issue\n\n The Dark Side of Light Why a Moonlit Garden is the Better Choice\n\n Story and Photos by Judy Preston\n\n The first twinkle…
Wildlife Wonders: Green Herons
…gone forever. Bill Hobbs is a contributing writer for Estuary magazine and welcomes your comments. He can be reached at whobbs246@gmail.com.\n\n Photos courtesy of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.\n\n…
Monarch Butterflies Summer in New England
…the freeze that would kill them, they ascend to 9–10,000 feet. There they form large baglike clusters, hanging on the branches of 80′-tall Oyamel fir trees, which grow in deeply…
Where Have All the Birds Gone?
Where Have All the Birds Gone? By Patrick Comins A recent study by Cornell University found that there are nearly 30 percent fewer birds in North America than there were…
A Magnificent Obsession: Our Fascination with Wildlife (Part 2)
…would add love of beauty. Among the human population in general, there appears to be a common, cross-cultural thread of fear of some wildlife, especially snakes and arachnids, which come…
Know Your Crayfish
This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue\n\n Know Your Crayfish\n\n By Andrew Fisk\n\n Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) is native to the southern US and considered invasive in the Connecticut…
Connecticut River Critters: The Puritan Tiger Beetle
This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue\n\n The Puritan Tiger Beetle\n\n By Andrew Fisk\n\n There are so many vantages from which to revel in the beauty of the Connecticut…
Preserving & Appreciating Estuaries
…courtesy of UConn Avery Point At this writing a remote public comment meeting was scheduled for early August on options for the NERR designation for Connecticut. Additional public comment sessions…
On My Mind: Habitats
…rough undergrowth, saplings, rank trees, and tangled vines—great cover for birds and small animals. While Many farmers around the world maintain hedgerows for wildlife, others till their fields right to…
What’s for Dinner?
…to enjoy shad is completely simple and can be, if creatively presented, an elegant hors d’oeuvre. If you’re not up for trying shad at home, there are several community events…
Helping Those Who Need Help in the Wild
…committed, caring, knowledgeable and has a deep commitment to helping animals, mammals, birds, and other wildlife who can’t help themselves during their time of need. Wildlife rehabilitators would think nothing…
A Rude Awakening and Call to Action
…their ability to support birdlife.” The study raises at least two important questions of interest to those of us who live in the Connecticut River Watershed: First, which of our…
Estuary for Young Readers
…the class. But first she asked her usual history questions. “Who can cite for me an important person and date in Saybrook history related to our ferries?” “I know,” little…
A Rude Awakening and Call to Action
…their ability to support birdlife.” The study raises at least two important questions of interest to those of us who live in the Connecticut River Watershed: First, which of our…
Let’s Go
…preview will be from 5:00–6:00 p.m. The Live Auction at 6:00 p.m. will be followed by Dinner, $50 per person. Reservation forms are available at: ctriversalmon.org. For questions, email: info@ctriversalmon.org.\n\n…