We took a break from our field work tracking and photographing white sharks here on Cape Cod to head to a favorite birding spot on Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and take a look at birds that are passing through the refuge on their southerly migration. We also include some images of shorebirds that were still in breeding plumage heading north that were taken in May. #capecod #birds #monomoynationalwildliferefuge #migration #shorebirds #conservation

Our work with the Massachusetts White Shark population study is winding down with only a couple of weeks to go to the end of the field season. The air and water temperatures are dropping and with the onset of autumn the weather in New England has added some drama to our trips when we can get out. The work continues to be exciting as we have observed changes in the shark behavior and especially in the size of the sharks that are in the area. Larger sharks, both male and female

The last six weeks of summer have been a blur of intense activity on the Outer Cape Cod area. Emotional highs and lows and the awe of natural history in action have provided opportunities to witness some unique beauty here. Thought I would leave you a few impressions of a Cape Cod summer in the field as I now take a two week break to travel west. Most of our time in the field here as been in support of the white shark population study being directed by Dr. Greg Skomal, pictur

Winter is coming to Cape Cod and the time has come to haul boats for storage until the spring. This is always a little bit sad for us. Many years ago Pam and I dreamed about spending time on a boat chasing wildlife in a wild place that was not in the middle of the Bering Sea. When at last this dream became a reality for us here on Cape Cod ...we decided to call our small expedition craft Aleutian Dream. It continues to be a joy for us and this year was special as we pushed th

Hard to believe that the dog days of August have come and gone here on Cape Cod and we are welcoming that wonderful time of year known around here as "Septober - Sixty-one Days of Heaven". As many of you who follow this blog are aware our summer has been dominated by the support we are providing to the Massachusetts Shark Research Program led by Dr. Greg Skomal and John Chisholm of the Department of Marine Fisheries here. That said we did manage a visit into the Monomoy Natio

Summer has now commenced in full swing here on Cape Cod and many summer visitors have arrived to enjoy all that a warm and sunny Cape Cod has to offer. Our attention has turned to supporting a research project that is being conducted in Cape Cod waters and when completed will answer the question most people ask about Atlantic white sharks. How many are out there? This work is being funded by donations of time equipment and $ from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in cooper

Call to Action! Friends, especially those who are living on Cape Cod, calling upon you to make your voices heard to appeal to the USFWS to grant a 6 month extension of time (to December 31, 2014) to allow citizens affected to thoughtfully respond to the recently released Monomoy NW Refuge Management Plan (Draft). The document is here. This beautiful wild area near Chatham has been in the care of local residents and inhabitants for more than 1000 years. It has been a model of

This is the third post highlighting our walks on the barrier beaches on the Cape in the month of January. Still in search of up close and impressive images of the Snowy Owl visitors we venture onto Harding's Beach in Chatham in the late afternoon to investigate. As those who follow this blog know even if your prime objective is elusive there is always something interesting to observe....always. Cutting to the chase - we did not find the owl this day but other visitors caught

wild cape cod Third in a series of photographs leveraged to raise awareness, the 2013 poster edition of wild cape cod illustrates a story of predation and power. Taken a few moments after a failed attack, this photograph captures a great white shark as she circles back for another strike at a one of the area's many seals. Poster is 22" x 28" and printed on high quality photographic paper suitable for framing Cost $50.00 signed and dated All proceeds will be used to support Ca

Beautiful fall weather continues here on the outer edge of Cape Cod and a continuing flow of returning raptors are visible in our open spaces and barrier beaches....but you have to look for them. Had a brilliant encounter with a pair of red tailed hawks in Chatham today. See below. Also as previously reported - sightings of Marbled Godwits are rare - anywhere. This fall we were blessed with sightings and images in three different areas. Mount Desert Island, ME, Tern Island, C

The Cape Cod fall has been spectacular especially in this month of October. The weather has been largely sunny, temperatures have been mild and the strong storms with easterly winds have held off. With the Massachusetts Shark Research effort under the direction of Dr. Greg Skomal winding down and all tagging efforts complete for the 2013 season we decided to take advantage of a beautiful sunny day and get up in the air with veteran pilot and fish spotter Norman St. Pierre of

The beauty of this time of year on Cape Cod is exemplified by the diversity of observations that one can have in a short period of time given migration and weather patterns of the season. The following sightings all occurred within the past week in the mid Cape region and waters. The red tailed hawk below was astounding in its concentration as it lifted off from its perch and kept focus while generating lift in the most beautiful way. The shorebird southerly migration is slow

If you have followed this page you are aware that M/V Ocearch has been in Cape Cod waters for the past month supporting a consortium of shark researchers in their quest to study the mysterious Atlantic white shark. The team was strong and had able leadership spending literally hundreds of hours on the water, sometimes in very challenging conditions, looking for these elusive visitors. The team reported seeing about 20 different white sharks from their platform but were succes

The fall shorebird southerly migration is winding down but there is still much to see if you look carefully on the barrier beaches off Chatham. We have had family & friends visiting for the past week and have had a chance to explore some of our favorite places. #birds #chatham #blackbelliedplover #redknot #monomoynationalwildliferefuge #conservation #humpbackwhales

The weather on the elbow of Cape Cod has been beautiful and warm during the month of July. Though we have not gotten off shore as much as we would have liked we have tasted a bit of summer! #chatham #capecod #monomoynationalwildliferefuge #conservation #whitesharks

The perfect predator pose. Adult supervision required #chatham #capecod #whitesharks #monomoynationalwildliferefuge

#capecod #chatham #conservation #osprey #monomoynationalwildliferefuge

Our time in the field this fall has taken us into the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and, as in past years, has provided some wonderful wildlife experiences for us. We are truly blessed to live on Cape Cod. Posting a few more images to highlight our experiences observing the comings and goings of life that is passing through this fall. Be sure and check out earlier posts. #monomoynationalwildliferefuge #shorebirds #capecod

The fall migration of shorebirds is still in high gear even as we move into fall. Lots of great looks at several substantial flocks gathered near the high water mark. In the strong SW winds many birds hunker down behind anything they can find allowing some very cozy gatherings of resting birds. #capecod #chatham #shorebirds #monomoynationalwildliferefuge

These birds were feeding furiously and then decided to have a little struggle over a sand worm. Made for a great set of images. One pictured here. IIn the latter part of summer and into the early fall the pace really picks up for the southerly migrations of seabirds and shorebirds and the like. Here are a few images we recorded along the way here in Chatham. #birds #monomoynationalwildliferefuge #shorebirds #plovers