My wife: “Bear sightings have started. We should bring in the bird feeder.”
Me: “I think we have another day or two.”
Bear: *crash, crack, crunch*
newengland
After the bear came traipsing through my front yard, word must have gotten out to all the local forest creatures, that this is where the wild things go.
This porcupine owned it.
“These roots are made for walkin’
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these roots
Are gonna walk all over you”
I don’t find a lot of Painted Trillium [Trillium undulatum] in the woods, but was lucky to find this sweet little patch.
Do y'all know about the North-South Rail Link, proposed to go through #Boston?
#Trains #Transit #Massachusetts #NSRL #Maine #NewHampshire #NewEngland #Amtrak #MAPoli #MBTA #Poll
Options: (choose one)
I grew up on the Maine coast and spent a lot of my childhood exploring tidal pools. What I found were usually hermit crabs, marine worms, barnacles, and mermaid’s purses. The saltwater diversity in those tiny habitats was amazing and strongly inspired my lifelong love of nature.
Fast forward a bunch of years and I live on a brook. This freshwater version is wonderful too. I’m surprised at some of the critters I find.
Today's cycling in Vermont:
Quechee - Hartland - Taftsville loop
20 miles on all paved roads. It's hard to find a short ride all on paved roads here in Vermont. Most paved roads are numbered highways.
In the pic: the Taftsville covered bridge.
#Vermont #cycling #VermontCycling #NewEngland #CoveredBridge #Quechee #selfie #RoadCycling
This is my favorite spot to visit when I need to get out of my own head and be part of something else.
Sort of like Mastodon. Today is my 1-year anniversary. Thanks to everyone for the creativity and inspiration that has made it so damn wonderful.
This is the kind of summer where I feel like I’m constantly looking down to see the massive variety of shapes and colors of the fungi that is popping up.
Violet Cort [Cortinarius iodes]
And a good morning grunt to you too! 😂
(Turn up volume for maximum gruntage.)
For as often as I tromp around in the woods I have never found Ghost Pipes THIS color. From what I see online, it’s a rare variant of the usually whitish/pinkish Monotropa uniflora.
One of my favorite discoveries this summer!
#BostonWeekend 1/x
Autumn is here - What to do this weekend? Our weekly events thread for #Boston #Massachusetts and all of #NewEngland
Options: (choose one)
Your attention please…
The Sassafras has something to say…
Spotted a bird nest while in the orchard. Tucked inside was a young bird that definitely had not fledged. 😂
Guys this is peak New England fall
Stunning foliage today in metro west
#foliage #NewEngland #cycling #Massachusetts
Beautiful day at Wayside Inn Grist Mill
Where George Washington passed by on the way to Cambridge. And we also need to go to Cambridge (Design Within Reach) after having lunch. I guess we followed Washington’s footsteps 🤣🤣🤣
Edited 232d ago
You are overdue a little bit of Joy this weekend, as a treat. What's going on in #Boston #Massachusetts and greater #NewEngland?
Its your #BostonWeekend thread. 1/x
If you're in #Maine (or #NewEngland), I encourage you to join the new Joshua Chamberlain Memorial Fitness and Percussion Club:
Now forming committees and planning our first major excursion (to our nation's capital in early March).
Edited 136d ago
Marvin Gilmore
100 yrs old
On June 6 1944 #DDay his all #Black antiaircraft artillery battalion stormed the beaches of #Normandy
“War is gruesome. And I think most soldiers who came back, we don’t talk about it. We really don’t. It’s just, it’s beyond, it’s just beyond your imagination"
His grandparents were born into #slavery
He cofounded the first Black owned and operated commercial #bank in #NewEngland:
They denied him a home loan
Edited 152d ago
So, I signed up for "alerts" from the #MaineDepartmentOfAgriculture, and they sent me an update about #BirdFlu here in #Maine. Oh boy... It's here.
SITUATIONAL REPORT: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [#HPAI]
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Prepared by: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Current Situation: The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (#DACF), and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (#MDIFW) are urging agricultural stakeholders to take precautions following recent confirmations of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in multiple wild birds in York and Cumberland Counties. While no cases have been detected in domestic flocks since March 2024, the virus remains in the environment."
Recent HPAI Activity
- MDIFW confirmed HPAI in multiple #WildBirds, including Canada geese, red-tailed hawks, and a great horned owl.
- Cases have been reported in Kennebunk, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, South Portland, and York.
- Four New England states have reported recent HPAI cases in domesticated #poultry.
- Officials have raised the risk level and strongly encourage #flock owners to implement strict #biosecurity measures.
- While HPAI has the ability to infect people and cows, there are no known infected persons or dairy herds in Maine and New England.
Biosecurity and Flock Protection Measures
To minimize the risk of HPAI transmission, all commercial and backyard poultry owners are urged to:
- Keep birds indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces to limit contact with wild birds.
- Maintain strict biosecurity, including sanitizing equipment, wearing clean clothing, and washing hands before and after handling birds.
- Avoid equipment sharing and disinfect tools between uses.
- Provide clean drinking water from municipal or well sources—avoid surface water that may be contaminated.
- Store feed securely to prevent access by wild birds and #rodents.
- Minimize farm visits and avoid areas where birds congregate.
- Monitor flocks for signs of illness and report any unusual cases.
Signs of HPAI in Birds
- Sudden death without prior symptoms
- Decreased energy and appetite
- Drop in egg production or misshapen eggs
- Swelling and discoloration of head, comb, wattles, and legs
- Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, or diarrhea
- Neurological symptoms such as incoordination
Reporting Sick or Dead Birds
- Dead or sick wild birds should be reported to MDIFW at (207) 287-8000 or via the online wildlife disease reporting form.
- Three or more dead birds in a localized area are of particular concern for statewide surveillance efforts.
- If you handle dead birds, use gloves and masks, dispose of birds properly, and wash hands immediately afterward.
- Sick or dead domestic poultry should be reported to USDA, 866-536-7593.
Public Health and Food Safety Considerations
"The human health risk from HPAI remains low, but precautions should be taken:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and use personal protective equipment (PPE) if exposure is necessary.
- Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to safe internal temperatures to eliminate bacteria and viruses.
- Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products for added safety.
- Monitor for respiratory symptoms if exposed to potentially infected birds or environments.
Source:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF/bulletins/3d1cb0a
#HPAINews #AvianInfluenza #NewEngland #BirdFlu
Boston, Cambridge, Somerville - its like a switch has flipped and everything is happening again. Enjoy this city and recharge. Its your #BostonWeekend thread for May 1-4 2025 1/x
#Boston #BostonMA #massachusetts #NewEngland #SomervilleMA #CambridgeMA #ArlingtonMA #MedfordMA #NewtonMA #BrooklineMA #JamaicaPlain #Dorchester #WinchesterMA
Edited 67d ago
Hello #Boston - with lovely weather on the forecast, if you're able, I hope that you can recharge and leave home to enjoy your #NewEngland as many gather for (checks list) the marathon, protests, the end of Passover, Easter, 4/20, and Patriots' Day. Oh, and I've got a personal celebration, too.
Once more, I present for you a lovingly curated thread of local events: #BostonWeekend 1/x
Edited 81d ago
Welcome to your #BostonWeekend thread for May 29 to June 1 2025. Leave the house if that's an option - enjoy, enjoy your metropolitan region of
#Boston, #Massachusetts #NewEngland
1/?
Welcome to your Boston Weekend thread for July 4th-6th, 2025, the 'Oops, all fireworks' edition. You thought there was nothing to do but eat grilled foods & watch the Pops, eh?
#BostonWeekend 1/?
#Boston #Massachusetts #NewEngland #RhodeIsland #Vermont #NewHampshire #Maine #Connecticut
Edited 4d ago