Migratory Birds
Inspired by Migratory Birds flying over my town in Chestertown.
Limited production
Wool 100%
Size 79" x 39.5 " ( 200 cm x 100 cm )
It was long long hot and humid summer in Maryland's Eastern Shore this year. There were also many mosquitoes and I got bitten a lot, even though I was wearing full protective clothing. Longing to fall coming, sunshine, cooler weather, and low humidity would be the ideal in Chestertown. A refreshing north breeze will give us finally a fall-feel. A few weeks of opening the window and letting the nice wind blows in,,,, October, No It’s cold ! It is wonderful to have 4 seasons / spring, summer, autumn and winter in a year. However, where the fall went ? The fall is too short and I must say goodbye to the clothes that seems to have no chance to wear, and put out my winter sweaters and down jackets to get ready for the winter.
At this time of year before winter sets in, I hear migratory birds chirping before the sun sets. Looking up at the sky, dozens of birds are flying in a V shape. Sometimes I hear them in the early morning or even in the middle of the night. I think it's ducks.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is one of the premier sites for waterfowl viewing on the Eastern Shore. Most of the 2,285-acre refuge is located on an island along the shores of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay, and is composed of tidal marsh, upland forest, and grasslands. Upland areas provide good habitat for passerines, and birding can be particularly productive during spring and fall migration.
The most common species include Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, Lesser Scaup, and Mallard. Other waterfowl species include American Black Duck, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and scoters. Tundra Swans visit the refuge starting in late November before migrating about 4,000 miles northward in March. Bald Eagles, present year-round, commence nest-building in January. 266 species of birds have been observed in spring, summer, autumn and winter in this Refuge.
Migrant birds have compass to guide their direction in their bodies. They can remember where to go and return. They sense smells and rely on the chirping of their fellows. They can see ultraviolet rays, so they have much better eyesight than ours. The birds' tactical deception must reflect sophisticated cognitive abilities. That is why we must be careful getting stolen our food from them.
My first time visiting Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge was in the spring of the Covid Pandemic 2020. All of the facilities were closed and no one was there. I walked on a hiking route to watch birds, but it made me feel that I was on an uninhabited island with no sign of people. Now things have been back to normal, including bird watching events. Fall and winter is a great opportunity to observe birds, so I think I'll go and participate the events there.
I would like to learn more about Eastern Shore where providing a sanctuary of migratory birds and their living or to become familiar with way of my living.
Thank you for reading my newsletter and have a wonderful your fall!
-Yuh Okano
October 2022
