Cuzner in Nature - Marblehead Current

27 Sep

Nor’easter knocks boats off moorings, some crash into rocks

Leigh BlanderCuzner in Nature, Top Stories

Several boats were seen dashed against rocks near Glover's Landing and others washed ashore after breaking free from their moorings in the nor'easter that is battering New England this weekend. At least one sailboat was seen submerged with only its mast showing above the water. The wind knocked one sailboat off its stand at Little Harbor Boatyard. The Current has reached out to Harbormaster Mark Souza for an update. Marblehead sailor and photographer Bruce Durkee snapped these images today. COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE Coastal…

26 Sep

Nor’easter brings rain, wind, high surf to Marblehead

Leigh BlanderCuzner in Nature, Environment, Top Stories

An early season nor'easter is bringing rain, wind and high surf to Marblehead. High wind and coastal flooding warnings remain in effect through Sunday at 8 p.m. with heavy rain expected throughout the day. "There are several trees and limbs down around town, but with the leaves still on the trees and the gusting winds, it was expected," Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current Saturday evening. This tree in Green Street Cemetery split during the nor'easter Saturday. CURRENT PHOTO / NOAH WILSON Kids check…

05 Aug

CUZNER IN NATURE: Seal-ebrity sightings off Marblehead

Rick CuznerAnimals, Columns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

These are photos of grey seals snapped off the coast of Marblehead at the Great Pig Rocks in July. I am always amazed by the number of seals out there. Low tide seems to be the best time to spot them, when plenty of rocks are exposed for the seals to lay on and sun themselves. Grey seals are one of the largest marine mammals in New England. Adult males can reach 7 -8 feet long and weigh 600-800 pounds, while females are typically about…

23 Jun

CUZNER IN NATURE: They grow up so fast…

Rick CuznerColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Top Stories

This spring, I was fortunate enough to spot several baby screech owls (owlets) on the exact day they left their nest. Having followed them for several months after they hatched, I was incredibly eager to catch them "branching." Once these owlets fledge, however, they don't linger long — often vanishing into the upper canopy within a day or two. Now that the trees are in full leaf, finding them after those first couple of days is nearly impossible. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER The…

13 Apr

CUZNER IN NATURE: Love is in the air

Rick CuznerAnimals, Columns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

Spring is a great time to explore local wildlife. Lots of exciting things are happening. The trees and flowers start to bloom, ospreys return, as do migrating birds like warblers and hummingbirds. Perhaps the most exciting from a photographer’s standpoint is the birth of new wildlife. Finding a den or nest usually yields some great photos. This is an older photo of a screech owl nesting cavity that has been the home of many sets of owlets over the years. Here, the two adults peer…

25 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: Owl in a box

Submitted ContentColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

By Rick Cuzner Owl boxes Some friends and I have put up several owl boxes over the years. Sometimes the owls find them and come back year after year and sometimes they do not. This photo is from a friend's backyard. The box had an inhabitant almost immediately after putting the box up. This will be the third year of watching owls "winter" in the box. Hopefully some owlets will emerge in the spring. Hooded mergansers I spend a lot of time around Forest River…

11 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: Snowies

Submitted ContentColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

By Rick Cuzner I ventured out in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 24 to explore the coast for owls. When I arrived on the coast of New Hampshire, it was a balmy 2 degrees, negative 18 with the windchill. I walked the coast a bit and found this snowy owl tucked into the dunes. I took a few photos as the sun came up, then left it to rest as I retreated to the warmth of my car. "Snowies,’ as they’re affectionately called, typically arrive…

03 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: No two are the same: Capturing snowflakes

Submitted ContentColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

By Rick Cuzner I took these snowflake photos during our last two snowstorms. I set my camera up outside and then I walk around and “catch” snowflakes on a small, felt-covered plate. When I get a few well-defined snowflakes on the plate, I place them on my camera set-up and take a few photos before they melt or blow away. My neighbors think I’m crazy! The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner, who has been photographing local wildlife for nearly 20…

24 Dec

CUZNER IN NATURE: Hooded merganser looks majestic in Joe Brown’s Pond

Cheryl ByrneAnimals, Columns, Cuzner in Nature

By Rick Cuzner The fall and winter months are a great time to search for ducks and water fowl. I see a lot of hooded mergansers in both local ponds and estuaries. The marsh down in Forest River is an excellent place to see them. Along with the Hoodies, I often see harlequin ducks, pintails, longtails and an assortment of others.spiders for protein, often catching them in mid-air or plucking them from spider webs. The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner,…

14 Dec

Spotting a snowy owl on a snowy day

Leigh BlanderCuzner in Nature, Top Stories

Marblehead photographer Rick Cuzner: "I headed out in the snow this morning (Sunday) with the intention of finding a barred owl I had seen. After not being able to find it, I decided to take a drive and see what else I could find. I was driving down the Nahant Causeway and happened to catch something sitting on a light pole. A snowy owl! What a surprise." Snowy owl on a snowy day. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER According to Mass Audubon, snowy owls “typically…