Cuzner in Nature - Marblehead Current

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…

06 Dec

CUZNER IN NATURE: Marblehead mink takes up residence in Bird Sanctuary

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

I recently photographed an American mink living in the Marblehead Bird Sanctuary on the Neck. The American mink is a semiaquatic species native to North America, known for its dark brown fur with white patches on the chin, chest and throat areas. It is a carnivore that eats rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs and birds. Minks are found throughout Massachusetts, except on Nantucket. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, a mink population was spotted on Martha's Vineyard. The mink lives in forested areas…

03 Nov

CUZNER IN NATURE: Rare sighting of a short-eared owl

Will Dowd0 CommentsCuzner in Nature, Environment, Local News

I captured this image of a short-eared owl a while back at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. I don't come across too many of these owls in my travels. Photographer Rick Cuzner captured this image of a rare short-eared owl at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury. The owl is an endangered species in the state. When I heard one was in the area, I went on a mission to find it. I hiked in about 3 1/2 miles on a dirt…