IcooIey

US enviro law & policy. Former ecologist, current lawyer. Loves old trees, old buildings, and a good plan. Ride your bike, if you can. Library stan. Dreamcrusher. Posting about #resilience, #NewEngland, #landuse, #birding, #housing, #gardening in #Area51 and seasonal #knitting. Med. Resv. Corp. volunteer. Forced to like cicadas. Entered at 322.5ppm.

Verified: IcooIey (npub176l…n78x)">https://www.lawstodon.org/people/IcooIey (npub176l…n78x)

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icooiey_at_mastodon.green@momostr.pink

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Last Notes

2026-04-08 00:05:12 UTC

Considering just eating all the chocolate, pouring a 20 yr old Laphroaig, and disassociating for the rest of the night.

2026-04-05 11:45:27 UTC

#BirdCallOut Brown Thrasher in the Hemlock! Made a try at the duet feeders, but just isn’t build right to grab on and hang. Foraging now below.
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/351/906/457/335/215/original/d4b015c49515cbd2.jpeg

2026-04-03 16:38:17 UTC

Walked out to the stream beyond the cliffs to see if the Hepatica was blooming yet. Another day or two.
#NewEngland #spring
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2026-04-01 13:36:42 UTC

Ivoryshanks has become a little stinker! Yep, it’s time to finish the feeders for the year. (White tailed squirrel managed to defeat the anti squirrel cone and grab onto the suet feeder.)
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/329/688/883/660/772/original/567b60140485c6e0.jpeg

2026-04-01 11:44:31 UTC

Was experimenting with how long to keep up the bird feeders this year. Usually take them down when the juncos leave and grackles return. This year, I thought, let’s just see. I’m getting great joy out of watching the birds. But today they come down. I’m not feeding brown headed cowbirds.
Of course 10 seconds later the first chirping sparrow of the year shows up, so maybe a few more days till the seed runs out.

2026-03-28 19:09:13 UTC

Off for a walk with our vintage 2016 protest signs and one new one in spired by a post seen on mastodon, also by the Sierra Club.
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2026-03-28 11:55:58 UTC

#BirdCallOut five (5) FIVE species of woodpecker at the feeders this morning. Northern Flicker, Ref Bellied, Downy, Hairy, and a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. Sixteen seventeen species seen while I drink my morning coffee and look out the window. Expecting the juncos to disappear any day now.
#birds #NewEngland

2026-03-27 00:43:17 UTC

Peepers!
(Well, I’m told there are peepers. I now have enough hearing loss I can’t hear them from the porch like the rest of the family.)

2026-03-24 17:33:19 UTC

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Using an impressive application of practical physics, lines, pulleys, three other 100’ trees as levers and a bucket truck, the tree people have taken the main part of the damaged hickory down. Nothing hit the house. Casualties are a chestnut sapling I should have dug out and a lower branch from a sugar maple that was framed by our living room windows like a Japanese woodcut. I’ll miss watching the birds perch there and the colors in fall. But. The roof is intact! Whew!
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2026-03-24 15:00:58 UTC

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Poor Fish is huddled under my chair. Mouse is oblivious. One big branch down.

2026-03-24 13:32:18 UTC

Tree people are here. Hiding in my office working and not watching.
It will all be ok. It will all be ok. It will all be ok.

2026-03-23 21:36:15 UTC

And once again, in case you thought winter was over in New England, it is snowing.
Sigh.

2026-03-22 00:15:24 UTC

Went to Maple Fest today at the scout camp with the troop. It’s a good sap year! Bring on the maple syrup.
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2026-03-21 12:25:50 UTC

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What with the split tree that’s coming down Monday and has been an active squirrel nursery for 30 years, and the apparently resident bobcat (seen three days now over a month) about to see a large drop in grey squirrel population.

2026-03-21 12:22:58 UTC

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I put up five extra feeders this winter and had a lot more birds. And mice. And squirrels. And bobcats. Love those tropic cascades.

2026-03-21 12:04:51 UTC

Oh. WOW.
Watching a squirrel attack the “squirel proof feeder”. It fell off.
The bobcat who apparently IS living under our shed darted out and nabbed it.
#NewEngland #cats
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2026-03-20 20:37:39 UTC

I am watching the split tree with only chains holding it together and stoping it from crashing into our house sway in the wind. This is very very unnerving. I think even the squirrels have abandoned it.

2026-03-19 18:32:30 UTC

Wow! All four species of woodpeckers we commonly see at the feeders simultaneously. And 23 over all species so far. Banner day.
#birds #NewEngland
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2026-03-18 20:06:56 UTC

This is bad.
Spent the last hour talking to tree guys. I think we have a plan and hope they can get it done before it breaks off and hits the house. This is the tree that generations of squirrels have used to nest in a large crevice above where the split starts.
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/251/963/856/744/738/original/122ea3b4abc082e8.jpeg

2026-03-18 01:47:38 UTC

A day of warm rain popped out the rock irises, snow drops and winter aconite.
#Bloomscrolling #NewEngland
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2026-03-17 11:34:20 UTC

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Thanks. Everything seems ok in the light of day.

2026-03-17 09:38:04 UTC

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not sure how strong our gusts were, the weather station is down stairs. A few big branches hit the roof, but the power stayed on. Wish I’d thought to take the feeders down. Not sure what chaos I’ll find when the sun comes up.

2026-03-17 03:13:58 UTC

It is very windy and neither the cats nor I like it.

2026-03-12 19:29:16 UTC

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Aaaannd…it’s snowing.
March you need to calm down.

2026-03-12 14:43:38 UTC

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so terrible. And tough to saw through too. I’d left these too long and hadn’t realized how much shade they threw. Wanted them gone before they leafed out.

2026-03-12 12:42:53 UTC

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Went out and cut down the second black locust small tree and many black locust saplings that were shading my garden before the next wave of rain comes and the temp drops. Glad to have that done. Time for a shower before work.

2026-03-12 11:46:25 UTC

Went out to #Area51 yesterday. So much work to do. The lavender has survived, rhubarb popping up ( but I should maybe go back and mulch since it will be very cold for the next week. A few daffodils popping up. Put down more cardboard in farthest area to try and get ready for turning it all over and creating new beds and walkways. The back area where it worked a lot last year is in good shape.
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2026-03-12 11:23:53 UTC

Foggy. Feels like the world ends a 100 meters out. Also a nice view of the Shard—a five meter long broken branch that is wedged in a fork of a tree in our back yard about 3 meters from the ground. Looks like a giant rested its toothpick there. The tree it is from came down in a storm earlier in winter.
#NewEngland #Spring #moss
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2026-03-12 10:06:51 UTC

It’s 56 °F right now and will drop 30 deg before nightfall. This next week will be a temperature roller coaster. Glad I didn’t put the sweaters away yet.

2026-03-11 11:18:21 UTC

Yesterday it was so warm, we opened the half door and set up the cat window to the patio. It’s was very exciting. There were chipmunks and Ivoryshanks the squirrel checked in too.
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2026-03-10 17:46:19 UTC

It’s 72 °F ( 22.2°C ) here today and I just saw a mourning cloak butterfly, (Nymphalis antiopa) flutter past!
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2026-03-10 15:02:49 UTC

“Squirrel proof feeder”
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/205/467/182/077/843/original/a321d28a71f70299.mp4

2026-03-10 13:40:25 UTC

Today’s melting report. Snow lingering where shaded but melted out where the sun strikes. Except for the big snowbanks from shoveling along the roads, walks and drives. Those will take a while.
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2026-03-09 20:12:18 UTC

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a big flock of grackles showed up an ransacked my feeders this afternoon!

2026-03-09 12:18:21 UTC

A lot of melting in 24 hours! Still much bird action at the feeders.
#NewEngland #birds
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2026-03-08 11:05:40 UTC

Rather atmospheric out there today.
#windows
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2026-03-07 14:44:53 UTC

In the further chronicles of predators visiting my house, a red tailed hawk. Saw one circling yesterday but it didn’t come close enough for long enough to get a photo. Still pretty far off and through a window. About a decade ago they nested in the back woods for a few years running. Maybe they will again.
Also the first red-winged blackbird is back. This is usually a sign to wrap up bird feeding for the season but I’ll keep going till I run out of seed/suet or the squirrels win.
#birds
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2026-03-06 11:47:55 UTC

So guess who seems to have take up residence under our shed?
Mouse, our black cat likes to look out this window while spouse is exercising. She alerted that something was up and practically leaped into my arms when I came to look. Bobcat is actually missing a left rear paw, hence the limp. Another good reason house cats should be indoor cats. Leave the outdoors to the bobcats.
#bobcat #NewEngland
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2026-03-05 17:16:10 UTC

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I went out before the rain to look for prints in the snow since I could tell where the bobcat walked. Absolutely nothing visible. Those paws are snowshoes allowing it to float like a ghost through the woods.

2026-03-05 12:15:33 UTC

Remember a few days ago when I said I wondered when all the bird feeders would start to cascade to other tropic levels? Outside the kitchen window a bobcat made a play for the ground foraging squirrel! I caught these poor photos of it through the back window as it came around the house. It was limping too. First one I’ve seen at our house in 20+ years, though we have a healthy population in the area.
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2026-03-04 16:08:39 UTC

We’ve passed some kind of day length tipping point. Hearing chickadees, titmouse, house finishes, cardinals and Carolina wrens singing today.
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2026-03-03 22:37:52 UTC

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yep. That would be nice. We’ve now missed two Tuesday evening classes this semester. Very done with winter. Although it might not be done with us. Was looking at records and in 2019 we had 12 inches of snow on March 4.

2026-03-03 16:39:54 UTC

A visitor this morning. I wondered when all these feeders would attract a higher trophic level!
#birds
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2026-03-02 19:51:02 UTC

My hellebores, 2026. Earliest bloom time: March 8, 2024. Latest, April 30, 2015 the last year we had big snow all winter (still 18 inches in the woods on March 15!) average is first week of April. We shall see.
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2026-03-02 01:36:05 UTC

#MarshMadness
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2026-03-01 18:40:00 UTC

Spent an hour hanging a new wire for a bird feeder since the squirrels can shimmy down the metal hook and slide over the cone and flip down to the feeder like a tiny furry navy seal. The long wires seem to defeat them, as long as they are far enough out from the tree trunk. Rearranged the other feeders, put out some chili oil coated seeds on the smallest platform feeder. Watched a flicker feed for a while. They are really huge!
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/155/290/284/955/540/original/2cfeee19fb5f53bb.mp4

2026-03-01 14:03:46 UTC

Oh good! What novelty! It’s snowing! Welcome March. At least the new woven willow suet ball feeder is getting a lot of action.
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2026-02-26 11:55:52 UTC

It has finally happened. The snow banks are so high the squirrels can jump to the feeders from the ground. Sigh. Will need to address that. Also, 11 squirrels under the feeders (10 visible) this morning, a new record. From the tiny size of some, it looks like a new brood has fledged(?) including the leucistic one with the white tail and sides (foreground) that appeared last week.
🚨ALERT: Squirrel record broken! A 12th squirrel showed up!! Plus four more on other side of house!
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2026-02-25 21:38:15 UTC

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I’ve been keeping data on paper charts this winter though not abundance, just presence. Same species list as you (saw a mockingbird in town last week, not at feeders), saw red shouldered hawk and crows on campus. Plus we have a flicker, one song sparrow, and many goldfinches and bluebirds.

2026-02-25 19:28:44 UTC

Snowshoed to Physical Therapy appointment. Therapist told me to cancel tomorrow’s appointment.
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2026-02-25 12:19:34 UTC

It is snowing. Again.
#NewEngland
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2026-02-24 14:14:40 UTC

One fallout from this blizzard is it has wrecked our scout troop’s high adventure backpacking trip to the White Mountains in June. We were very time constrained with leaders availability and it was scheduled right after school let out. These two snow days push last day well into the middle of our proposed trip. Unlikely we can change hut/ campsite reservations to a different time. I didn’t do the logistics (wouldn’t have tried to wedge in an ambitious trip that tight) but it’s a bummer.

2026-02-23 23:37:38 UTC

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Final update, 6PM: well, spouse got the driveway cleared and we went across campus to retrieve our cars from the “downtown” parking garage. It was an epic walk down partly cleared sidewalks, the middle of roads, a segue though a dorm and dining hall, climbing snow mountains where plows had failed and finally to the garage where the spouse forgot where the car was and we went up and down levels until we found it. Then a very slow drive back home. I see why classes are cancelled tomorrow!

2026-02-23 22:40:31 UTC

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whenever I’ve dipped in there I wonder, who ARE these people??
On a related note, what happened to all those “forkiverse” people from a few weeks ago?

2026-02-23 21:24:58 UTC

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Update 4PM: blizzard basically over. Spouse snowblowing driveway then will do neighbors. University just cancelled classes for tomorrow so will need to figure out how to manage that.
Never lost power here, maybe a foot of snow with drifts and the driveway now a canyon.
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2026-02-23 16:20:22 UTC

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Update 11AM: Cats’ response to blizzards
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2026-02-23 15:14:31 UTC

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Update 10AM: we seemed to be in a snow free hole in the storm for a while, but winds are picking up again. Still snowing, but lightly.
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2026-02-23 13:16:24 UTC

How’s your blizzard? Here in eastern Connecticut US, it’s not a complete white out, impossible to say how much snow has fallen due to drifting, but paths we’d shoveled to get to bird feeders (about a foot deep) are drifted completely over. Our second story windows are plastered with snow. Sill coming down hard with strong winds. Most power outages are along the coastline. The snow seems wetter than the last storm but not horribly heavy. I hear conditions are worse near the coastline.
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2026-02-22 18:58:16 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-02-21 19:53:51 UTC

Well glad I worked in the campus greenhouse today with scouts. A joy to geek out over cool plants and help maintain the carnivorous collection. There was a heavenly smelling orchid in bloom in the orchid room, too and ran into a local painter showing a friend around. My face hurts from smiling.
#Bloomscrolling #plants
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2026-02-21 19:27:11 UTC

Blizzard conditions??!! Awesome.
This is exactly the reason why otherwise sensible people consider moving to Florida.
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2026-02-21 11:19:57 UTC

Walked through heavy snow and sleet to the bus station, took the full bus into Hartford, walked to campus, picked up spouse and went to the flower show. Relatively empty and many masked. Enjoyed the displays of spring gardens and the quirky flora design competition. Theme this year was A Storybook Garden. Took the free bus to the train station, picked up our friends car left behind due to an emergency, and drove home in the rain.
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2026-02-21 01:59:13 UTC

New England winter storm prep: December:
Fill the wood bins, charge all devices, make sure shovels, snow brushes and ice melter are accessible, stock up on food, make slow cooker hearty meal before, plan on baking, find snow pants, gaiters snowshoes.
NE WSP late Feb:
Fuck it all, just crank the heat and hope for the best. Did someone get more beer? I know where the snow pants are, I haven’t taken them off in six weeks.

2026-02-17 20:44:53 UTC

Youngest child had to work with an assigned partner for an in class assignment. She’d done the reading, he hadn’t. They were both supposed to write down two things they’d learned. She wrote down one, then passed paper to him. He had it for a long time wrote down nothing, she took it back, wrote second thing before time was up, then he took paper, instead of writing his two facts, wanted to edit and change hers. Never added anything new. Then when had to present to class, he presented her work!

2026-02-17 20:44:53 UTC

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She didn’t want to make a big deal about it, wasn’t sure in the moment how to deal with it. They got all the points for the assignment so she let it go. I said I thought often women instinctually act to maximize their safety, and confronting this ass may not have felt safe. The problem is, not confronting them implicitly gives them permission to keep acting this way. Hoping she finds a way to say, “This is not ok” if it happens again.
(It will definitely happen again.)

2026-02-16 20:43:25 UTC

Noticed last week the American Goldfinches are starting to show a bit of color.
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2026-02-15 17:42:56 UTC

Snowshoed to the ice caves.
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2026-02-14 20:16:29 UTC

These are for you. #Bloomscrolling
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2026-02-14 19:45:00 UTC

Inside a nest box used by the house wrens last year. A wee bit of blue plastic I see woven in. Now all cleaned out and ready for the new nesting season.
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2026-02-13 17:54:48 UTC

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Busses should be free for everyone. It’s win for climate, combating poverty and reducing violence. A true multisolve! Here’s a gift link to an article by a lawyer who explains the connection between transit and clogged criminal courts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/opinion/free-bus-rides-mamdani.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.HAbL.IaXm7rUiOuNp&smid=nytcore-ios-share

2026-02-13 16:56:20 UTC

Have successfully indoctrinated an offspring on the virtues of public transport so thoroughly, they have now convinced a friend to TAKE THE BUS with them (for free b/c students). This, in semi rural America.
On a day we need wins, I’ll take it, however small.

2026-02-13 15:54:25 UTC

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I am in this toot.
The road into the community garden plots hasn't even been plowed, has over a foot of snow and there is no way to get in. I've considered parking nearish and snowshoeing in, but I wouldn't be able to get the gate open. And would only be able to stomp around if I did. And look, longingly, or sadly.
Sigh.

2026-02-08 21:38:55 UTC

#SuperbOwl Northern Saw Whet
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/037/149/746/190/726/original/a081dfffe0c59cbc.jpeg

2026-02-08 16:29:12 UTC

We have returned from the frozen hike! It was 0 °F when we left about 9:15. I probably should have worn the snowshoes, but it was fine without. Knee managed ok, so counting that for physical therapy today.
#winter #newengland
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2026-02-07 20:09:18 UTC

It’s very cold today and we had another ~3 inches of snow. So something like ~20 inches in the last few weeks, with below freezing temps mostly and very little melting. Here is what the side of the driveway looks like where the shoveled snow gets piled up. The streets are beginning to look a bit like canyons.
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/116/031/143/857/308/301/original/fa04fabfa8a83d93.jpeg

2026-02-07 19:50:47 UTC

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Thank you so much! I am happily spending this cold snowy day looking at seeds and measuring space and dreaming of dirt under my fingernails again.

2026-02-04 18:47:50 UTC

A quick glance out the window and I can see ten species of birds, (only one introduced!) and five squirrels. Really glad I put up more feeders this year on three sides of the house and more suet feeders. It’s a real source of joy!

2026-02-04 13:41:38 UTC

Orchid season again. #Bloomscrolling
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2026-02-01 22:59:52 UTC

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oh good to hear! I love my hammock and really hope I can pull this off. I have a very thin (3-4mm) narrow but 6ft long pad that came with the used ultralight pack I just got that fits well in the hammock. I’m hoping that helps somewhat. Wind is going to be the issue I think.

2026-02-01 18:12:27 UTC

Field test of the winter very cold hammock set up. With just hammock, tarp, 2 over and 2 under quilts + underquilt protector, pack was full and max I can carry (15lb) recovering from knee surgery.
Can I do this? Probably
Lessons learned: Wear gaiters, warmer socks/toe warmers. Need to shovel out under hammock before setting up. Need snow anchors. Will need to borrow a sled to carry more gear if I want to eat, change clothes or drink anything. #camping #hammock #winter #scouts
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/115/996/662/223/548/430/original/1e3f00fcd5468638.jpeg
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2026-01-31 15:29:58 UTC

Preparing for a scout camping trip next weekend. Saw the knee surgeon for a two week checkup and got the ok to camp, except “no kneeling.” He was a bit mystified why someone would camp, here, now, in a hammock.
“You’ll be indoors?” No.
His only advice was, “bring Advil.”
Spending time today determining if I have adequate gear to pull this off. It will be -20 °C overnight. Doing some consulting, rigging in the garage, and if not warm enough, the tent will have to do. With no kneeling.

2026-01-28 18:06:52 UTC

It’s that time of year! New woodpecker dropped! #birdcallout Yellow-bellied sapsucker.
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/115/974/040/949/031/836/original/50b9c6650bb88b0e.jpeg

2026-01-26 21:57:11 UTC

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Something like a Spot that allows for texting so she has some piece of mind if conditions get hairy again.
1. Will this work well enough in a narrow valley, does have some open area.
2. What is an affordable, reliable option?
Advice/ suggestions welcome.

2026-01-26 21:57:10 UTC

So remember my friend with the steep driveway that the Amazon trucks keep getting stuck on? No one is stuck, it’s ok!
She is in a cell dead spot. Has a booster for phone, but when power is off, can’t call out. Has a generator, but start button wasn’t working and she’s not strong enough to pull cord. Has has drive plowed once, but impassable again. A friend called her every two hours last night to make sure she didn’t lose power. I’m suggesting she look into getting a satellite gps beacon.

2026-01-25 18:15:52 UTC

It started to snow here about 8:30AM, I just went out to refill the bird feeders and we have about 9cm of very light fluffy dry snow on the ground so far. It’s got a way to go to get to the 50 cm predicted. It's -14 °C outside. It's quite pleasant to be out for a short time!
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/115/957/082/362/733/205/original/8c7104ff4016b17b.mp4

2026-01-25 10:33:39 UTC

#SilentSunday
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2026-01-24 22:19:23 UTC

Fish crawled in beside me, curled up and went to sleep. He’s making the cutest little cat snores.
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2026-01-24 11:33:18 UTC

Realizing I’d better get my gaiters and snow pants out. Haven’t really needed them yet this winter. Also it’s dropped 40 degrees (°F) since yesterday. Poor trees and birds.

2026-01-23 20:47:01 UTC

I have acquired the milk, the eggs and the grapes. And a single avocado. Consider us Prepared.

2026-01-22 02:46:33 UTC

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very glad to hear you are getting some answers and hopefully things will get better soon. Summer is a real joy!

2026-01-22 00:02:51 UTC

Thinking I needed a good moss post and remembered this camping trip from last May. Messing around in streams is always a good way to spend your time. Codfish Falls, Mansfield CT, US.
https://files.mastodon.green/media_attachments/files/115/935/794/848/291/987/original/84e5a02de743cdfc.jpeg

2026-01-21 22:20:18 UTC

I don't think I've ever seen a forecast map predicting heavy snow in a continuous band from about Greer AZ to Provincetown MA. The next five days are going to be a wild ride in the US.
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2026-01-21 02:15:09 UTC

So turns out the spouse and kids likely qualify for Canadian citizenship. I knew they were too nice.

2026-01-19 13:04:43 UTC

Ok. I guess a bit MORE snow fell. Going down to 5°F /-15°C tonight.
#NewEngland #birds #winter
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2026-01-18 14:06:09 UTC

Still snowing, cold, and outdoor air quality worse than high summer.
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2026-01-17 21:10:04 UTC

Multiple cats and blankets and plants. Good way to spend a snowy weekend recovering from surgery.
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2026-01-17 13:50:49 UTC

Oh. It snowed. Guess winter is back on then. Carry on.
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2026-01-16 17:03:14 UTC

Four types of woodpecker in ten minutes, plus pileated in the woods earlier. Hairy, downy (not shown), red bellied, and northern flicker.
#birds
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2026-01-15 15:47:57 UTC

Skunk cabbage is up.
#nativeplants
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2026-01-15 12:46:56 UTC

For 2026, Mind the Moss author Mikes Howard has gone paywall free. Essays about hiking near urban spaces in New England, using public transport, hidden gems, and sometimes work like this about how planning impacts culture. https://open.substack.com/pub/mindthemoss/p/stealing-third-space