Painted Turtle, still from "A Journey That Never Ends, John Hay's The Run," ©2004, Janice Riley.
Stories...
There are many stories to tell, about Canada Geese, mallard ducks, buffleheads, loons, mergansers, herons, osprey, eagles, snakes, ells, frogs, toads, turtles, otters, red squirrels, rats, muskrats, fisher cats, deer, fox, coyote, possible a bear, fish of course, even some about fishermen, kajakers, and swimmers. They will all be good stories to tell and hear. You will find them here as time goes on.
It is a rare privilege to live on a pond. We bought this bungalow in 2002, fulfilling a life's dream. It has been so much more than we ever could have imagined. It has changed our lives. It isn't always perfect, I think of high summer when it is crowded with visitors and too noisy, or mid winter when it is frozen and gray and too quiet. These are its seasons and they have become ours. Part of living here is the intimacy we have with a diverse wildlife population who also call this home and our lives now seem intertwined. We learn so much about their lives not just by observing them but knowing them. The privilege of that relationship has deepened our lifelong commitment to conservation and to practicing stewardship.. Living here alongside their lives bring with it a keen sense of responsibility, of respect, of care about their well being and the integrity of their lives. And for that of the entire pond which is our shared home, each in our own way.
Since we have re-dedicated this website to the alewives this year, we will start our story with theirs. Not everyone is aware that Slough has a substantial population of alewives and has for generations that go too far back to count. Everyone is aware of their splashy entrance up the Stony Brook fish ladder every spring but unaware of the life they live in our fresh water ponds. This will be its record. It is as beautiful and inspiring as their return from the sea and it creates more fully that circle of life we all find so inspirational. And since there is a threat to their calling this pond their home in the future it is more important than ever to tell their story and why it matters. We will have to get back to the other stories when we are done with theirs.
It is a rare privilege to live on a pond. We bought this bungalow in 2002, fulfilling a life's dream. It has been so much more than we ever could have imagined. It has changed our lives. It isn't always perfect, I think of high summer when it is crowded with visitors and too noisy, or mid winter when it is frozen and gray and too quiet. These are its seasons and they have become ours. Part of living here is the intimacy we have with a diverse wildlife population who also call this home and our lives now seem intertwined. We learn so much about their lives not just by observing them but knowing them. The privilege of that relationship has deepened our lifelong commitment to conservation and to practicing stewardship.. Living here alongside their lives bring with it a keen sense of responsibility, of respect, of care about their well being and the integrity of their lives. And for that of the entire pond which is our shared home, each in our own way.
Since we have re-dedicated this website to the alewives this year, we will start our story with theirs. Not everyone is aware that Slough has a substantial population of alewives and has for generations that go too far back to count. Everyone is aware of their splashy entrance up the Stony Brook fish ladder every spring but unaware of the life they live in our fresh water ponds. This will be its record. It is as beautiful and inspiring as their return from the sea and it creates more fully that circle of life we all find so inspirational. And since there is a threat to their calling this pond their home in the future it is more important than ever to tell their story and why it matters. We will have to get back to the other stories when we are done with theirs.