FOPPI

As what usually happens to me, I was searching for something else and found a box of photos of the early Plum Island years that I'd forgotten about. The box had photos of the original eagles' nest that was along the trail, the first Lady's Slipper I'd ever seen, the Dwarf Lake Iris, volunteers that have moved on, and those who still capture the magic that Plum Island has to offer. These photos are ancient ... taken on an old film camera ... the kind of pictures that you hope turned out...

Growing up in Milwaukee, the only bird calls that I could recognize where those on my uncle's clock. Each hour a different bird would sing their signature song and wait their turn for another 24 hours. Then I walked the trail across Plum Island and learned how sheltered I'd been. There is a symphony of birdsong in the natural world! Thanks to the Merlin app my level of knowledge continues to increase as I now have the (cheater) tool to recognize the call of a Cedar Waxwing, Northern Yellow...

Monarch Butterfly on Plum Island milkweed, 2025 season During the Festival of Nature a couple of weeks ago, we were greeted by two happy Monarch butterflies. They danced in the breeze and circled our group with happiness ... they made it from their winter roost in Mexico's fir forests. The Monarch butterfly is the only insect that migrates like birds do. Earlier this year they, or their great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents or grandparents, were awakened with a need to begin their...