Cuzner in Nature - Marblehead Current

24 Apr

CUZNER IN NATURE: Monk parakeets’ intricate nests

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

A couple years ago, I was told that there were several colonies of monk parakeets that live in the Northeast. The story I was told is they escaped a shipping container at the airport many many moons ago and continued to thrive in small colonies along the Northeast. I have seen them many times in Florida, but went on a mission to find them more locally. After some searching, I found a nesting colony in Winthrop that had apparently been there for years. I watched…

10 Apr

CUZNER IN NATURE: A graceful giant

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

I have seen this great blue heron at Joe Brown’s Pond throughout the winter. This particular morning, I found it perched on a limb just as the sun was coming up. Although somewhat skittish, I was able to get a few photos. A great blue heron stands vigil on a pine limb at Joe Brown’s Pond. Once scarce in the area, these birds have become a common sight, thanks to conservation efforts and environmental recovery. COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER According to the Mass Audubon,…

27 Mar

CUZNER IN NATURE: Chimney charm: Screech owl finds cozy nook

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Top Stories

I usually spend countless hours in the woods looking for wildlife, but a few weeks back I was alerted to an Eastern screech owl hanging out in a chimney by Marblehead’s own, Bette Hunt, also town historian emeritus. It was in such a wonderful and unique setting, but a fair distance off. Much thanks to Bette. Our nature photographer Rick Cuzner — with a helpful tip from Town Historian Emeritus Bette Hunt — captured an Eastern screech owl roosting in an Orne Street home’s chimney.…

13 Mar

CUZNER IN NATURE: A peek at Eastern coyotes in Steer Swamp

Will Dowd0 CommentsAnimals, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

I ran into a couple of coyotes while on a walk through Steer Swamp this week. They kept their distance, but certainly kept an eye on me. I was able to capture a few photos, though the light was not so good. Very good-looking animals. A coyote spotted recently in Steer Swamp. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER In early March in Massachusetts, Eastern coyotes wrap up their breeding season and prepare for their pups' spring arrival, according to MassWildlife. They roam more actively, scouting for…

28 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: Rare visitor from the Arctic Circle dazzles

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

The King Eider is one of my favorite ducks. The coloring of the adult male is incredible. During the winter months, I consider myself lucky if I see one or two. A male King Eider, with wings partially spread, stands out with its distinctive coloration on a rocky outcrop in Gloucester Harbor. Even luckier if they are close enough for me to snap a photo. I was lucky enough to see this King Eider mixed among Common Eiders in Gloucester Harbor. Every winter, the King…

14 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: Hide and screech: Spotting a screech owl

Will Dowd1 CommentCuzner in Nature

I was thinking the other day that I have not really seen many of the local screech owls around town that I have seen in the past. Lots of barred owls, but not many screech owls. Last Thursday, I was driving home from work, heading towards old town, when I spotted something "out of place" in the hole of a tree. I was thinking, "That can't be a screech owl.” I pulled over, backed up a bit. Sure enough, it was an eastern screech owl…

31 Jan

CUZNER IN NATURE: Snowy owl sightings scarce this winter

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature

I have yet to see any snowy owls this year. There just have not been many sightings locally. Usually, I see at least a handful in Marblehead, Gloucester, Plum Island, etc. The lack of migrating numbers may be due to plentiful food sources in the north, but I am not sure. I dug into the archives for a few photos taken in Marblehead over the past several years. Hopefully we will be lucky enough to see more locally in the near future. A snowy owl…

19 Jan

CUZNER IN NATURE: Freeze frame: Photographing snowflakes

Will Dowd0 CommentsCuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News, Uncategorized

When we get a nice snow storm, I like to take a break from wildlife and do some microphotography of snowflakes. Over the years, I have built a small "set-up" consisting of a camera mounted to a rail on a small frame. The mount allows for very precise movement of the camera to dial in the focus. I run around the backyard catching snowflakes on a piece of felt, with the hopes of capturing images of perfect snowflakes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't! Snowflakes…

04 Jan

Stumbling upon a buck in Steer Swamp

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Health, Life Style

This is a white-tailed buck that I came across while walking in Steer Swamp in mid December. A white-tailed deer stands in Steer Swamp. COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER According to MassWildlife, Massachusetts residents are learning to coexist with native white-tailed deer. Adult bucks typically weigh 120–160 pounds, while does average 80–120 pounds. Deer coats change seasonally for camouflage and insulation. Remarkably agile, these deer can run up to 40 mph and leap over significant obstacles. A white-tailed deer stands in Steer Swamp. COURTESY…

27 Dec

WILD WONDERS: 2023 through nature photographer Rick Cuzner’s lens

Will Dowd0 CommentsColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Environment, Uncategorized

From the shimmering droplets on a seal's whiskers to the majesty of a snowy owl, Rick Cuzner's lens has captured the essence of Marblehead's natural beauty throughout 2023. In each frame, Cuzner reveals the wild inhabitants of our community: whether it’s a coyote, fox, hummingbird or snowy owl. Cuzner selected these photos as his best of 2023. Each serves as a reminder of Marblehead’s biodiversity. This collage features what our nature photographer, Rick Curner, says are his best images of 2023. CURRENT ILLUSTRATION / WILL…