April 16, 2024

Poetry from a Captain – Martins Ahead

Purple Martins

A few Purple Martin scouts, early visitors to the string of nests strung across the piers at Sea-fruit Oyster House, inspired Cap’n Jack to burst into poetry in anticipation of this year’s arrival.

Message from the Cap’n — Muskrat on the Menu

“Let me tell you a story. When we were growing up as children on our little farm in Piney Point, we had a lot of stuff to eat. And it included muskrat.” – Message from a Cap’n: Never know what you might find yourself adding to the menu.

Captain’s Message: All Storms Are Different

hurricane

The Storm of 1933, 10 years before I was born, caught everyone by surprise. It ended maritime transportation and commerce in St. Mary’s County by knocking out the wharves. Here’s a look at the major storms in my lifetime, 1943 to last month.

Message from the Cap’n – Oh, That Skunk

Skunk

Don’t get skunked!

Message from the Cap’n: Saga of a Burned Duck Blind

Robert Lynch was a big-time waterfowl hunter in the St. Mary’s River. He had a duck blind as decked out as a restaurant. Then one night his premier duck blind burned.

Message from the Cap’n – Maryland’s Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Year-round residents of the Chesapeake Bay region, Belted Kingfishers are a bright flash of blue on the wing, their territories along streams and rivers.

Oyster Prices Down in 2023-24

shellfish harvesting

“Oyster season in the months with R” used to be the norm, but conservation efforts and disease have dictated some changes to that meme.

Winter in the Chesapeake: Where Are the Ducks?

It’s the time of year where rafts of ducks fill Island Creek for good eating — and usually hunters are out looking for the same thing. But this winter has seen few arrivals thus far. Give Cap’n Jack a shout if you’ve spotted some of the ducks listed here.

Message from a Cap’n: Season of Jellyfish, Turtles, Ospreys

With the water temperature in the 80s, jellyfish are taking over. Bad news for swimmers. Good news for oysters.

MD Offers Free Fishing Day on July 4

Fishing

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a license-free fishing day for all state residents and visitors on Tuesday, July 4.