Next Month's GQ Spread. I mean "More of Stephen's Visit"

We had the opportunity to hang out on the Cape Pogue beach on a beautiful day.

^ what I look like on social media

^what I look like in real life

Stephen said I looked like Medusa. I was offended until I looked at the image and realized he was spot on.

Stephen's third lighthouse! The weather was less than ideal for his last full day on the island, but we didn't let it impede our outings. Here is the Gayhead Lighthouse and Cliffs.

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We spent the afternoon at the Polly Hill Arboretum where there were a lot of beautiful plants in bloom despite the gloomy autumesque weather.

An Osprey on its nest on Chappy. Though people view the osprey as kind of rare, there are fewer plovers than there are osprey on the island!

One of our banded American Oystercatchers.

Black Skimmers! Kind of a big deal.

There are wild beach plums everywhere. They grow low to the ground like more of a shrub than a tree

Chappy with a Great Chap

My good friend from high school, Stephen, made the short flight over from Boston to spend a few days off with me! He is in the interim of working on his dual Masters and a summer internship. 

We did A LOT in the 67 hours he was here!

We started our Monday in Oak Bluffs where we did a little walking tour and shopped the first Vineyard Vines! Then we continued down the road to Edgartown where we visited the beach and the lighthouse. Stephen and I had a great lunch on a rooftop overlooking the harbor. We sampled the island's full offering of lobster rolls and fish & chips while Stephen was here!

Chappaquiddick is technically a connected piece of land to Martha's Vineyard, but historically they have had a bay between them. Currently the two pieces of land are connected by a strip of beach, so you can drive between the two on loose sand or take the 527 foot ferry ride. Yes, it costs money and you have to wait in line to get on a ferry that takes you 527 feet. If you could hear my tone you would know not to get me started on this subject.

Luckily I have a super cool roommate who gave Stephen and me a great tour of the island within an island. 



We walked through the beautiful Mytoi gardens. They weren't as zen as had been planned as there was a screaming toddler being carried around.













Catbird. One of the birds Stephen got to see and learn to ID! He got a full dose of birding and botanical viewing (and feeling)

The Cape Pogue Lighthouse

We picked up some quahogs and crab cakes from the local fish market; couldn't have gotten any better at a restaurant!

Our 90 acres are dripping with babbling brooks, lily pad ponds, and charming little boardwalks. I don't even have to "go" anywhere to spend my downtime birding and enjoying the general nature of things. It's like you're in a different place every week as the plants begin to fill in the forest and new birds arrive. Eastern Towhees, Cowbirds, and Ovenbirds are now ordinary sights and sounds - and I say sounds lightly as they're more of a constant chorus in the woods. The beaches are filling up and our beautiful beech tree is filling in. On the shore dozens and dozens of terns fly overhead, shrieking at me with the looming threat of dropped fish or just droppings. 

Shout out to Sharon for her maiden carpentry adventure- outdoor showers!

Took my first outdoor shower today and can't wait for many more - hopefully a weebit warmer.

But don't worry, I am working as well!

These are part of project that involves trapping snakes to attach a radio device to track their movements.

My days look something like this sign (which we have erected all around our many sites). I walk around my sites to check on the nesting progress of the birds, assess the beach in general, and make sure the fencing is all intact. 

We did three more exclosures yesterday in an effort to protect the nests from predators.

And we finally took our next picture! The three shorebird monitors at Hoft Farm. 

A Little Bit of Chicken Fried

My love language is food; maybe it's a southern thing, maybe it's an Italian thing, or maybe it's just a "me" thing. This past weekend we welcomed three new roommates, but Sunday and Monday nights were kind of chaotic for everyone. A few days to settle in, learn the house, start work, and grocery shop led to the planning of our first big group meal. Offshore Ale fell through with their promise of fried chicken for Emily Friday night, so I decided to step up and make her southern comfort food dream a reality. We divvied up dishes and danced around each other in the kitchen to create a fulfilling and filling dinner.

Kady comin' in strong with the biscuit game (Mom's cookie cutter package came just in the nick of time). 

Emily got a workout in and wowwed us with some great mashed potatoes.

Thanks Sharon for providing delicious roasted broccoli (and the only green on my otherwise beige monochromatic plate).

And last but not least... the fried chicken. 

Emily and I didn't get the "red" memo, but I'll forgive them. What's next?!