I’m not sure how many times I’ve mentioned this, but there is one thing that holds true for me: Weborg Marsh never disappoints.

Sunset over Weborg Marsh, Sept 25, 2008

I can drive the whole park and see nothing noteworthy, unusual, particularly special, odd or new (not counting the park’s inherent beauty, of course — and I’m not at all discounting that!), but get at least one treat, for sure, on a drive through Weborg Marsh. It is incredible, the power of that one little spot to deliver.

In however many years I’ve been frequenting the park, I cannot think of the last time Weborg Marsh let me down. I’ve seen everything you can imagine… Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-Tailed Hawk, this year’s very first … Read the rest of this entry

Autumn Forest at Nicolet Bay

Hard to believe I’m uttering the “w” word (winter) in October, especially since my brain is still stuck back somewhere between August and September. I have this total disconnect with the red, yellow and orange leaves outside my window. They are supposed to be green. Or so says my brain. ;)

My brain may be late for its own party, but the Coast Guard isn’t. I heard the Coast Guard cutter MOBILE BAY announce on the scanner this morning that they were “doing ATON in the Strawberry Islands” … which means they are likely pulling up my dearest, favoritest bell buoy off Peninsula Park.

Bell Buoy #6

I don’t know why I have such a love for this buoy. But I think of her as being my soulmate in the buoy world. She is always there, rain or shine, night or day. Her bell clangs with the rhythm of the waves, especially loud up on Svens Bluff and along Sunset Trail. At dusk her bright red light flashes, on and off, on and off, persistently piercing the darkness all night long, ’til dawn assumes command and takes over lighting duties.

The clouds are supposed to clear later today, and I will make a reluctant trek to the park to see if my dear buoy has been tugged from the water for her long winter’s sleep. I hope not! But if she has, I will at least have the memories of a few hikes on Sunset Trail during which time was marked by the irregular but constant clang of my buoy’s bell. ##