Cuzner in Nature - Marblehead Current

12 Feb

CUZNER IN NATURE: Stunning images of star incubators

Will DowdColumns, Cuzner in Nature, Opinion

With the cold weather, we usually get some crystal-clear nights. The clear nights are perfect for backyard deep space photography. The setup can be simple to very complex, depending on the images you are trying to capture. The Orion Nebula is situated 1,344 light years away in the Orion Constellation. The Rosette Nebula is located 5,000 light years away in the Milky Way Galaxy. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER I usually use a digital camera with up to a 500mm lens mounted on a device…

08 Jan

CUZNER IN HIS BASEMENT: The art of water droplet photography

Will DowdCuzner in Nature, Opinion

When the weather isn’t so nice, I often look toward other forms of photography to keep me busy. Photographing water droplet collisions turns me into a bit of a mad scientist, but it also reminds me of the beauty and complexity of nature. A water droplet forms a mushroom-like shape, set against a bright blue background. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER Just as raindrops collide and create intricate patterns on the surface of a pond, I have a fairly elaborate setup that I have cobbled…

31 Jul

CUZNER IN NATURE: Gentle giant spotted in Marblehead waters

Will DowdCuzner in Nature, Local News

Aerial view of a basking shark swimming just beneath the surface of the water, showcasing its massive size and distinctive gill slits. The dorsal fin of a basking shark breaks the surface of the water. COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK CUZNER The basking shark, seen just recently off Halfway Rock, presents a striking and serene image in these photos. Known as the second-largest fish in the ocean, the basking shark can grow up to 40 feet in length. Despite its imposing size and formidable dorsal fin,…

19 Jun

CUZNER IN NATURE: The Milky Way’s galactic core as seen from Goldthwait Beach

Will Dowd0 CommentsCuzner in Nature, Local News

This photo captures the Milky Way Galaxy from Goldthwait Beach. The image reveals the galactic core of our galaxy, which is one of the brightest and most photogenic parts of the galaxy. The galactic core is located in the constellation Sagittarius and is best viewed during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 16 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs.

30 May

CUZNER IN NATURE: Sun storm paints the town’s night sky

Will Dowd0 CommentsCuzner in Nature

I had forgotten about the possibility of seeing the aurora. I happened to be in the backyard photographing the moon and got a decent glimpse of the amazing colors in the sky. The aurora borealis creates a stunning display over Redd’s Pond. I grabbed a camera and tripod, jumped in the car, driving all around town taking photos. Old Burial Hill, Fountain Park, Redd’s Pond, and Grace Oliver’s Beach all provided excellent viewing. The photos were taken during a dramatic solar blast in May, sparking…

16 May

CUZNER IN NATURE: Yellow-crowned night herons come to town

Will Dowd0 CommentsCuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

A couple weeks back, a friend of mine alerted me to a yellow-crowned night heron in his yard near Naugus Head. I found this interesting as I do not often see them in Marblehead. I see the black-crowned night herons often, but not so much the yellow-crowned night herons. Now it appears a pair have taken up residency in the bird sanctuary on Marblehead Neck. I was able to get a few photos, but they continue to be fairly well hidden. Two yellow-crowned night herons…

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…