Posts categorized as Animals

Swimmy II lives a luxurious life in my living room, in a 10-gallon oasis. He enjoys moving freely and darting around between freshwater aquatic plants and the beautiful rockscape decor I collected on the beach at 91st. Swimmy II is royal, with rich hues of deep blue, maroon, and purple. He seems to sparkle as he glides about. Swimmy is a Betta. He shares his McMansion kindly with The Slippy Brothers. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Three nerite snails slowly chow down on algae and stray bits of tank sludge, keeping […]

“The wild color warblers of spring and fall, the shorebirds of summer, the waders for waterfowl or birds of prey on a winter day? Our year-round residents, or regular or rare visitors? How about birds photographed right here on Beach 91st — from bay to beach to backyard, street tree to jetty — all year long, something to see. Untangling the songs, tuning in: a moving leaf, a new sound, a distinct shape in the sky. A rhythm of arrivals and the departures — certain or shifting — charting time, […]

I don’t like going into pet stores because it makes me sad to see the animals confined to tanks and cages. Recently though, I’ve found myself inside a few. Betta fish especially, in their tiny tanks, pull at my heart. I had the thought, “Maybe I should save one.” For months, the notion of bringing a fish into my family had been swirling around my mind like a persistent current, growing stronger and stronger until the direction was clear. I would save a fish. My floating thoughts meshed together into […]

Can you hear the chirps? Can you smell the hint of spring? I can. The earth is stirring from its slumber. Springtime in Rockaway and Jamaica Bay becomes a bustling hub for migrating birds, as these many species embark on their long journeys northward. Our coastal home offers a vital stopover point for birds traveling along the Atlantic Flyway, providing abundant food sources and habitats for resting and refueling. Birdwatchers flock to Rockaway to witness the spectacle of thousands of birds in transit, including the American oystercatcher, piping plover, and various […]

Expand your understanding of the animal world at this year’s ANIMAL ROCK event. Open your mind and learn how animals teach us, how they heal us, how to connect deeply with your pets, and how humans can live in harmony with all creatures. ANIMAL ROCK is this Sunday, October 1, from 10am-4pm, under the dome at 94 Street and Shore Front Parkway. From personal experience working with Jill Lauri, Founder of ANIMAL ROCK and my cat Lefty, I’ve come to understand that animals possess a unique power to heal and […]

  My cat Johny unexpectedly passed away last week. The whole ordeal has been quite traumatic for me. I heard a scuffle in the middle of the night. He was limp in the legs, yowling and breathing heavily. I knew immediately this was an emergency. I got him in a carrier, found my keys, and headed to VERG Animal Hospital at four something in the morning. I was f*!king frantic. I was exhausted, yet fired with adrenaline. I was driving dangerously through red lights. I pulled up and just left my car […]

Join animal lovers throughout the peninsula for ANIMAL ROCK 2022. This always anticipated event is an expression and celebration of the love that humans and animals share. Expect information on ways to support animals, pick up a raffle to win prizes from local businesses, begin your pet adoptions process, bring your beloved animal for a special blessing, enjoy vegan food offerings from Mara’s Ice Cream and Thai Rock and much animal inspired merriment! This celebration will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 am to 4:00pm at Beach […]

My sister was out of town and I was watching her children. I wanted to make the most of my time and while the kids were in school, I took my friend Fernanda, who is visiting from Colombia, to the most important historical landmark on Long Island – The Big Duck. The beautiful structure came into view as we were driving on the narrow country road. I was a little worried The Big Duck wouldn’t be open. The architectural marvel is also a quirky museum and gift shop. We hurried […]

Billions of cicadas known as Brood X are emerging after 17 years living in their underground world. When will they arrive in Rockaway?! As a gardener, I’m so intrigued with these rare insects. The ground temperature needs to be about 65 degrees to trigger their surfacing. Which was estimated by scientists to be mid-May in New York. It’s the first week of June now and I haven’t seen any on the peninsula. I’m upset! Cicadas remind me of an alien species from the Delta Quadrant. Brood X has two  distinctive […]

In August I wrote about Sweetie, a ”teenage” cat mom who appeared in my backyard with a batch of kittens. I wanted to follow up and share the rest of Sweetie’s journey with you. It’s been a long road. We rescued Sweetie and her three kittens July 6. It was difficult to get appointments for spay/neuter and vaccines due to Covid-19 delays. And it took some time to get the kittens adopted into good homes. Meanwhile, I grew very much attached to Sweetie. She’s a special cat – very friendly, […]