January 17, 2025

Boats Are High, Creek Is Low

A perfect storm brewed in Southern Maryland the first week of 2025, trapping work boats at their docks in the region’s creeks. The continued wind and temperatures do not bode well for oysters either.

Message from the Cap’n – Don’t Rake Those Leaves

Leaving leaves on the ground has advantages for the environment. Over the winter they provide cover and habitat for a litany of tiny lives.

Message from the Cap’n — Fall Brings Changes

Fall

Time to look forward to spring for a better osprey year — but the martins carried forth admirably. Crabs are still in the offing ….. oysters coming soon.

Tug Life & Crew Changes from the Cap’n

Two weeks on, two weeks off, that’s one scenario for life on a tugboat. Cap’n Jack gets some insights from tug captains Butch Cornelius and Dave Hoffman on what “tug-boating” life is like — and how much it pays.

Cap’n on Tuboats’ Radio Banter

Like a well-scripted play, tugboats must perform in unison to get a ship to her berth. Some ships are handled with as many as four tugs working together under the direction of a docking pilot. Communication is key. Here it’s in poetry.

Message from the Cap’n — Bluebirds Galore

Bluebirds remain on the wing as summer advances, their young sometimes hanging around all winter with their folks.

Osprey Season a Bust on Island Creek

Nothing about 2024 has been a usual osprey season, and not in a good way.

Dodder or Devil’s Hair: It Kills

We have a parasitic plant belonging to the morning glory family that is a hazard to the High Tide bush in the marshes. Dodder has many names, including colorful folk names such as strangle tare, strangleweed, scaldweed, beggarweed, lady’s laces, fireweed, wizard’s net, devil’s guts, devil’s hair, devil’s ringlet, goldthread, hailweed, hairweed, hellbine, love vine, pull-down, angel hair, and witch’s hair. Those known and used locally include devil’s hair, devils guts, goldthread, angel hair, and witches hair.

Message from a Captain – The Solitary Box Turtle

Turtles

Moving box turtles outside of their home territory can cause confusion. Maryland Department of Natural Resources has tips if they look like they need help crossing the road. Cap’n Jack reinforces with his own twist upon the advice.

Message from the Cap’n – Lightning Bugs = Flying Beetles

Many as children have been fascinated by lightning bugs or fireflies. (As the Cap’n has lately become fascinated with rhyme.) He offers some observations of these amazing creatures, in his new stanza style.

(And here he puts it all together:)