Life in New England requires a very special relationship with nature. On the Navy Base, we have a large population of geese. In fact I would guess that between OCS and War College classes, the geese outnumber the humans here! The geese are lovely at first, and it's been fun to watch the babies hatch and grow this spring. There have been at least two rounds of goslings to experience. BUT, the geese POOP everywhere! Walking anywhere on base we all must keep an eye to the ground - you literally have to watch every step. Gross. At work we each have "clean-up" jobs that we take care of everyday, for example I clean the ladies locker room, third deck head, and the library. My friend Carlton has the honor of sweeping goose poop off the sidewalks around the property. It's the glamorous Navy! He also is the keeper of our fake Coyote, "Wiley" who is perched outside the band hall, supposedly to scare the geese away.
Here's how well that works: (phone camera)
Here's how well that works: (phone camera)
Now that I have a car, another annoyance the geese bring is that they take over the road at times. One morning walking to work I took these pictures of the geese "roadhogging" as usual!
Plus one night a family of the geese came over to grill steaks at my place:
The other part nature I am getting to know in New England is the WEATHER. It can go from 82 degrees and pouring rain to 40 and dry in minutes. In Newport, even on the warmest days we have an onshore breeze similar to San Diego. But as you know thanks to George Clooney and his fellow fishermen, New England is host to some of the craziest storm systems in the country. Today we had flash thunderstorms, hail, and rainbows all along the horizon. It was scary and beautiful at the same time. I look forward to the colors of autumn and even the harsh, wet winter. I think my experience of Chicago winters will serfve me well this year! Here are a couple shots from my camera phone today - it was breathtaking!
Plus one night a family of the geese came over to grill steaks at my place:
The other part nature I am getting to know in New England is the WEATHER. It can go from 82 degrees and pouring rain to 40 and dry in minutes. In Newport, even on the warmest days we have an onshore breeze similar to San Diego. But as you know thanks to George Clooney and his fellow fishermen, New England is host to some of the craziest storm systems in the country. Today we had flash thunderstorms, hail, and rainbows all along the horizon. It was scary and beautiful at the same time. I look forward to the colors of autumn and even the harsh, wet winter. I think my experience of Chicago winters will serfve me well this year! Here are a couple shots from my camera phone today - it was breathtaking!
(That's my cutie car in the middle)
Until next post, be well, and for goodness sakes don't be taking pictures on your phone while driving across bridges...!
9 comments:
Lovely pictures of the weather (not bad for a camera phone), and the geese are cute but I know all about how gross they are! When Alex's older sister went to OCS there, they made them work out and do all their sit-ups in the goose poop, and it would be all over in her hair, yuck!! I've never heard of needing a fake coyote to scare geese away, funny :). Keep posting the neat pictures!
You are so quick on the comments! I miss you! Tonight I saw a FOX! It was smaller than the ones in the UK. And I saw a turtle in the middle of the road, it was HUGE. We also have bunnies, skunks, raccoons, and another long-haired mammal I have yet to identify... :)
wow! your new home sounds so exciting! I definitely don't envy you with all the geese, I've had my share but never that many. How about some pictures of you next time? :) Miss you, love you
Wonderful pictures! Can't wait to see you - your coast or mine!!!
Wow! Sounds and looks like you've been having a blast in New England. Hope you're doing well. Miss you! :)
By the way, this is Erika, lol!
www.xanga.com/dctalkbycheesy
Geese! Rapid City, South Dakota is right in the migratory flight path of the geese going south and north. That city is inundated with geese when they fly (or walk) through.
The geese literally cover the streets in the downtown area where people are trying to shop. They seem to have no fear! When you move toward them they have usually left a small package behind too!
Yuck! I'll stop complaining about the geese in Newport then :)
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