What's For Lunch? - Eaglet Update

An adult, Bald eagle charges after an Osprey carrying a fresh flounder

 I'm quite sure this eagle is one of the parents of the twins I've been watching at Winnegance in Phippsburg (below). The eagle chased the Osprey around for about ten minutes before it gave up. The Osprey really worked to keep its catch secure from the bigger bird. The top left shot shows how fast the osprey was flying. Sometimes, these chases result in ospreys dropping their catches, whereupon the eagles will snatch them up right out of the water.
The eagle has chicks and has to work really hard right now to feed them and to feed itself. The Osprey probably has young to feed, too. Everybody is fighting for the food.

Our family Fourth Of July reunion is over. Our last house guests left this morning. I'm glad to have my house back, but I already miss them. They all make great efforts to get here from all over the country and to make contributions of food and libations for the big event. My job is to keep the food coming, just like the birds with chicks. I can't quit in the middle of the game, even when I'm tired. I smile, fry, roast, toast, laugh and cry when it's all over and they are all gone.

My chick is the one in the foreground. She has been here all the way up from New Jersey to see us. We had sparklers for the Fourth of July, but never lit them up. We never even took them out of the box! I certainly did not need to; I have her. Look at the sparkle!

Just About Nothing - Enjoy The Fourth

The Chinese regard fish as symbolic of abundance and plenty. Apparently, a fish's tail is a good place for a nap, too. Why haven't I thought of that before?

The waning moon to the west.

The Ospreys have been very busy at low tides in Totman Cove fishing for Flounder. There are as many as a dozen of them at once. The clumsy fledglings are honing their fishing techniques.

The wild, Maine strawberries that can be found on the roadsides and fields are almost gone, thanks in part to guys like this. Yummy! I hope you have a wonderful Fourth Of July and eat lots of delicious things, perhaps strawberry shortcake is on your menu! We will be having lobster, corn on the cob, potato salad and coleslaw, to name but a few of the items. Most of all, savor the company of those you love and those who love you.

Count Your Blessings and Your Lob'stah

Every Fourth Of July, for the past nine years, we have hosted a family reunion at our house. My husband's whole family makes the trip from all across the country to attend and to contribute. This year, both of my children were here. It will probably will be the last time they are together under our roof for a few years. My daughter is moving out of state and my son is going back to Colorado with his lovely girlfriend. We will miss them so much I'm having a hard time to write this through tears just thinking about it. Everyone of these people goes to great expense and aggravation to make this whole event happen. They have to travel long distances and spend a boat load of money. Two of them flew in. As a surprise, my son and his girlfriend drove 48 hours from Aspen to get here. They bring enough food and wine and gifts to overwhelm an empire of kings. We have a traditional lobster bake with corn on the cob, salads, strawberry pie and make-your-own ice cream sundaes. My son ate 7 whole lobsters in one sitting. After all, he may not get back here from Colorado for a while. He had to make it count!

The love these people show me and each other through these efforts awes me. My own family would never have come together like this as a group. None of us has even spoken to each other in nearly two decades, never mind shared a meal. Furthermore, I came from what on a good day would have been called an nonreligious family; most days, it would have been called frankly irreligious. So, I don't know much about blessings. But this borrowed family that I've acquired through my husband, and the extraordinary love of my children, has taught me all I need to know. Each of them is a blessing.

The Cousins