UK Gets Serious About Algae Biofuel

23 October 2008

World's leading publicly-funded R&D algae project launched to make new sustainable biofuel a commercial reality

The Carbon Trust today launches the Algae Biofuels Challenge with an ambitious mission: to commercialise the use of algae biofuel as an alternative to fossil based oil by 2020. The Algae Biofuels Challenge is a multi-million pound UK R&D initiative that could see the Carbon Trust commit £3m to £6m of funding in the initial stages. The Department for Transport recently announced it will be contributing to the funding of this initiative.

Beyond 2020, algae-based biofuel has the potential to replace a significant proportion of fossil fuel used in road transport and aviation, saving hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon every year globally whilst creating an industry worth tens of billions of pounds. For example, initial forecasts suggest that algae-based biofuels could replace over 70 billion litres of fossil derived fuels used worldwide annually in road transport and aviation by 2030 (equivalent to 12% of annual global jet fuel consumption or 6% of road transport diesel). This would equate to an annual carbon saving of over 160 million tonnes of CO2 globally and a market value of over £15 billion.

Dr Mark Williamson, Innovations Director at the Carbon Trust, explains why public investment in algae as an alternative to fossil fuel based oil is vital:
“We must find a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to oil for our cars and planes if we are to deliver the deep cuts in carbon emissions necessary to tackle climate change. Algae could provide a significant part of the answer and represents a multi billion pound opportunity. Through the Algae Biofuels Challenge, we will be combining the UK’s undoubted expertise in the area with our unique knowledge and experience of commercialising early stage low carbon technologies, to give us the best possible chance of successfully producing cost-competitive algal biofuel at scale.”

Transport Minister, Andrew Adonis said:
“Everyone agrees that to tackle climate change we must develop new and cleaner fuels. But we are clear that biofuels will only have a role to play in this if they are sustainably produced.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that second generation biofuels are truly sustainable - and will further our understanding of the potential for microalgae to be refined for use in renewable transport fuel development, to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

“We launched a consultation last week on slowing down the rate of increase of the RTFO, fulfilling our commitment to proceed with caution following Professor Gallagher’s report on the potential indirect impacts of biofuels.”

The Carbon Trust is now seeking to recruit cutting edge expertise from algae specialists in the UK, to develop ‘green oil’. The challenge is to produce this second generation algae-based biofuel cost effectively at scale. If successful, algae could deliver 6 to 10 times more energy per hectare than conventional cropland biofuels, whilst reducing carbon emissions by up to 80% relative to fossil fuels. Also, unlike traditional biofuels, algae can be grown on non-arable land using seawater or wastewater. Therefore, using algae as a biofuel feedstock avoids many of the negative environmental, ecological and social impacts associated with first generation biofuels.

The Algae Biofuels Challenge will accelerate the commercialisation of microalgae bio-oil in two key phases. Phase One will provide grant funding for research across areas including selection of suitable microalgae algae strains for open pond production, maximising algae oil content and biomass yield, maximising solar conversion efficiency, sustained algae cultivation, and design and engineering of mass-culture systems. Phase Two is expected to see the construction of an open pond test and demonstration plant. This plant will provide the vital facilities necessary to continue the research conducted in Phase One and demonstrate production at commercial scale in a manner that can be replicated. To avoid any unnecessary delays in eventual commercialisation the plant is likely to be constructed overseas. This is because the majority of commercial production of algae biofuels is likely to take place in tropical and sub-tropical climates that have plentiful sunlight and temperatures that do not drop too low or vary too much.

Phase 1 of the Algae Biofuels Challenge opens today, 23rd October, with a call for proposals. Applications can be made online here.

It's late now

It's late now, and the light shines on only the BPR (Boston Post Road)
cloudy & dreary all around except for that soft yellow strip of light
the magical salt marshes are slipping into Rip van Winkle sleep
once brightly colored leaves that hung so gloriously in high trees,
are now lain on the forest floor dull, cloudy and muddled.
Absent is their light
the trees that once held them, are see through and turning bare

but that light, that thin soft yellow strip of light,
shines on the Old Boston Post Road
her journey taking travelers North to South

e
www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

Free, live simulcast of Pop!Tech 2008

Free, live simulcast of Pop!Tech 2008
do yourself a favor and listen to some smart talk now
http://www.poptech.org/live/

New England Autumn, Natures Magic revealed.

New England’s Indian Summer Autumn Leaves

New England Autumn, Natures Magic revealed.

New England’s Indian Summer in Autumn is a magical time, especially in the magical salt marshes. Glorious autumn colors reflected in the trees, bushes and grasses. Magnificent orange leaves, that are so dense with color that they look like orange powder. The brightest of yellow leaves that shine on even the cloudiest of days. They turn overnight into deep saturated ochre’s. Reds that defy the natural existence on a green earth. Glassy slick burgundies that burst with a light of their own, like a most wonderful wine.

A time of coming home. A time of coming in from the cold. A time of reflection over a year. The brightly colored leaves gently float, sail, swirl, flip flop and spiral down. From the tallest maples, oaks, and birches through the short sunlight, and onto the still green grass floor. I am in wonderment at such a beautiful place. Multicolored leaves surrounded at my feet, I step lightly and carefully on the beauty that immerses me here.

Everywhere autumn colors, call out to you your eyes to be viewed. While driving, the rich scarlets reach out like big red kisses, to surprise and delight you in the most unexpected way and time. A sudden gust of wind and you are showered in rains of golden red orange leaves, blessed if one touches your head. A chance to make a wonderful autumn wish. Autumn's magic bursting with fullness. It makes me feel full as after a wonderful Thanksgiving Day dinner, a joy to all your senses and making you jolly.

Smells of McCouns, Macintosh's, Pumpkins, Nutmegs and leaves. The woods deep full rich and ripe with the smells of autumn. Warm days and crisp clear nights. Nights with harvest moons as big as the sky. Nights that sparkle starlight, and the first smells of first fireplaces.

Yes, New England’s magic is in her Indian summer autumn colors. Each one magnificent, but together glorious incredible and beautiful; and one has a sense, of a life well lived.

Find my humble photo’s here of this little blue planets glorious beauty of New England’s Indian Summer Autumn leaves: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81944160@N00/?saved=1

orange mornin g

i'm swirled in orange color

happy and carefree as the soaring little skybirds

above in the clear blue sapphire morning

everything is beautiful and ripe

I'm filled with immense joys of living in the now

I cannot keep the smile off of my face, nor do i wish

to

i hear sacred music and

My heart races with the little skybirds, i know their

happiness and they take me along with them to a

place of exquisite and profound beauty

I am grateful that i am alive and so loved


e

www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

out my side window

out my side window
the gray squirrel climbs head down the tree
the red chipmunk gathering here and there

looks like a moving fall leaf
the northern flicker hammerjacking the

ground in search of ants
and the bobin robin rustling and kicking up

the leafs
and then the blue jay flies in to find bugs on

the stags
all in this in a moment in about 10 feet

outside my side window
e


www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

FOWA London Calling Oct 8-10,08

Wish I was going, but since I'm not you guys go and then tell me all about it. Especially googles free party

eebeelive - Page 1 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Beautiful New England

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Beautiful Hammonasset Warm Autumn Day October 1st 2008

Beautiful Hammonasset Warm Autumn Day October 1st 2008

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9-2908

Stormy Monday

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9-2908

and the clouds from the north move steadily towards the east on this blue/white day
fall arrives with all it's stormy glory
e

Distracting Curiosities

I just love the things you find in New England. Character lots of humorous characters :D
e

economy rocked

our economy is being rocked, by greed
winter is coming and fuel costs are high
good jobs are gone, long gone overseas
fishing jobs are long time gone
ways of lives are changing
changing like the autumn leaves
falling like autumn leaves
yet
i know as the trees know
that yes winter will come but
so will spring and then summer, fall winter
spring and so on and so on in this journey
we are all on. this fabulous fantastic journey, this challenge, our will to never give up,
and to quote Dylan Thomas:

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

The first full day of fall

the soft cool breezes are blowing the
beginning changing leaves around
the yard and garden are dying back
the crickets are not chirping
but the cicadads are
and have a lowly hum
the gray squirrel climbs slowly head first
down the big maple tree
the milk sky is suspended
like this morning
e

Raven haired buxom wench says Talke Like a Pirate Day is Friday September 19th! Get ye pirate on!

Johnny Depp says ye ortin' t' be talkin' like a Buccanneer on Talk like a Pirate Day Jack Sparrow aaar be yer perfect model fer Talk like Pirate Day Captain Jack Sparrow says be ye good enough t' sail wi' me as a buccanneer o' caribbean? and talk like a shipmate th' rest o' yer scurvy life? Leave th' office cublicle behind an' sail th' high oceans.. yo ho ho pleasure awaits you! Well maybe ye can’t sail away ere, but what ye can do in th` true sense o` sweet trade be t' talk like a swashbuckler all tide at work. It be yer best tide ever. Dress up wi' yer best frilly seafarin' hearty shirt an' swashbuckler hat if ye me a mate. If a lass then yer best wench costume. You can find any and more of these items here: http://www.jack-sparrow-pirate.com/ Keep t' th' code an' start talkin' like a buccanneer. Here's your perfect excuse for an office play day and it's official! September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day! So you best to be keeping to the code as captain jack sparrow says. You can pretend your sailing with the evening tide to the Spanish Main with Captain Jack and his Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ve already started your Party ye listening to “Pirate Folk” from In Search of a Rose http://www.myspace.com/insearchofarose They will get ye in th' mood wi' some fine sea shanty piratecore music. Pirate heartys love t' sin' an' sin' at th' top o' the'r lungs e'en if they don’t know th' tunes. In Search of' a Rose, be th' best sea dog band today! Wi' passionate rum drinkin' song favorites like, What do ye do wi' a Drunken Sailor, Pirate Folk an' P Stands fer Paddy they will keep yer sea dog party started an' goin' into th' wee hours o' th' next mornin'. The'r latest release Kind O' Green€� takes Piratecore Celtic Rock t' a whole new level makin' them a band t' content wi' from across th' water. In Search o' a Rose be havin' put together a mixture o' Rock/Folk/Celtic jigs an' reels/Pop an' be havin' written some o' th' best radio ready songs I be havin' heard in voyages. Th' lyrics be smooth an' sung t' perfection from Ebl & Maze, Rudi uses jus' th' starboard mix o' electric squeezebox t' keep 't rockin' but nay o'er powerin', MacGable beats o' th' drum makes this music excitin' an' lively, guest musicians usin' th' starboard amount o' trumpet, accordion, glockenspiel, an' fife t' accent th' already perfect arrangements, an' th' main highlight o' all th' musicians be th' talents o' fiddle player Suzy B. whom brings ou' th' gypsy Celt in all o' us. Be checking out their website as well ye mangy curs www.insearchofarose.de Now o ye o tuneful booty for jolly jack tars and doe-eyed wenches. Arrgh ye be feelin' a wee bit more randy now? Aye aye!!!

Full Moon over West Beach, Westbrook, CT

Full Moon over West Beach, Westbrook, CT
Warm, magical summer night!
e

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my sparkling little backyard

who would ever want to leave you

your bright sunlight on the green things

growing turn them the most lovely shade of lemon green,

so alive and pretty in the

morning sun, dappling the sunlight everywhere,

enchanting me with your beauty

my little tight shingled shed so study and sweet,

enchanting as well, as a place of secret retreat

happy place happy me happy morning
e
www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

Windy Meigs Point, Hammonasset Beach, CT

Windy Meig's Point. The last of the beautiful summer days. September 15, 2008. Warm, dry and windy, gulls flying, after yesterdays rain!

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White Crane Splashing around in Magical Salt Marshes

White Crane splashing his feet around in the magical salt marshes of Hammonasset Beach, CT

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Hammonasset open!

We are all like happy kids

1st day no more fee entrance into Hammonasset!
a beautiful windy summer day
hot, dry and windy sorta of like California
but so much greener and full of life
sapphire blue skies
puffy big white clouds
cranes, seagulls, herons flying about
their giant wingspans shadowing the earth below
the smell of fresh salt air
out on Meigs Point on the Magical Salt Marshes
the roaring sea
the leaves changing
and those lucky enough to enjoy it
linger and take it all in, like kids playing hookie
e

a touch of red

a touch of orange this morning
sprinkled thru my backyard trees
the dry cool winds sends warnings of fall, that is nearly here
gray squirrel jumps and and stands up in the morning light then hops a few hops and stands again getting a look over the tall grass
horsetail clouds are drawn by the wind high in the sky and paint it like a beginning artist
it's a beautiful still summer morning, in the magical salt marshes.
e

Reverse Birthdays

OK so tomorrow is my birthday
I'm going to start a new tradition
"birthday in reverse"
that's right, I'm losing a year starting with this birthday
and continuing on till I'm about oh 5 and then
reversing again
it's a new lease on life
me saying to myself that i am not moving towards that dark night, nay!
I am walking to the bright light of my future
where there is nothing I cannot do
where nothing is impossible
where love abounds
where possibilities are limitless
yep, reverse birthdays they are a new tradition!

E

northern scarlet morning

northern scarlet morning
i hear the squawking voices of many a gathering geese on the magical salt marshes
how wonderful it is!
cacophonous joyous hopeful music
everyone gathering together for their early morning flight south

the golden orb rising from the far east
shining its light thru the maple
making me take a second look
because the green leaves now look like
they've changed color overnight
no it's just the sun coming up
coloring the morning


e

a new dawn
it's windy and free
the storm is gone
cool and dry
sunny with blue skies and lazy lingering storm

clouds
the winds cool touch reaches out
and wakens me up
e

“magical salt marshes”

Hurricane Hanna Rains

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Hanna Saturday morning 9:00am

Hanna Saturday morning 9:00am through my writing window

there's a slight break on this rainy morning
the two baby gray squirrels chase one another around
and i can hear their footsteps, quite loud
ta rump ta rump ta rump just like horses only softer
we are under a Tropical Storm Watch hmm
seems tropical
everything is wet green with shades of gold
e

Algae Fuel Our New “Green Industrial Revolution”!

Algae, the Emeralds of Bio Fuels

Algae fuel is an exciting word today! Especially in the world of alternative fuels. You’ve seen them, (algae pond scum) and there’s probably nothing greener except Emeralds, than the wee algae pond scum. Algae are tiny nature made biological factories that use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy. They are so efficient at this that they can double their weight several times a day!

Part of this photosynthesis process, is that algae produces oil and can generate 15 times more oil per acre than other plants used for biofuels, such as corn and switchgrass. Algae can grow in salt water, freshwater, salt water marshes or even contaminated water, in the ocean or in ponds, and on marginal land not suitable for food production.

Above is a rendition of one of the possibilities of production of Algae Fuel. As you can see algae fuel production makes sense. It uses existing water and then reuses it again. Our precious water resources are minimized and used wisely. Algae fuel leaves a small carbon footprint, all the while cleaning up sewage and petrochemicals. I see this new world as one in which we start our own new “Green Industrial Revolution”. One where we are cognizant and vigilant of our energy action. Isn’t it about time we cleaned up after ourselves? Isn’t it wonderful that science, nature and ecology have given us all that chance to just pass go and go green!

Alviiin the Chipmunk vacuum!!!!

Alviiin our Chipmunk VacUUUm

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The gathering

The Gathering

More noises! But different ones. I investigate, out my side sliding window and onto my wooden porch I step, and immediately my ears pull me upward. Music abounding of the "gathering" birds. It's the sound of A LOT of birds in the other tall trees. All gathered and speaking to one another. All so vocal that even the crickets are chirping in. What could they be saying? Perhaps discussions on ancient passage routes. Maybe catching up. I think both and possibly a whole lot more. A community a belonging how wonderful. All sitting on the very top branches and catching the setting western light.

The gray squirrels lay resting in Y shaped tree branches. Listening to their evening symphony. It's late August in fact August 29, 2008. The glorious orange summer sun is still shinning. We are all suspended for a moment of natural splendor.

e
www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

Dropping Green Walnuts

It's going to be a cold winter, so says the predictors. They say all the old farmers are reading the signs the animals are giving. Cold winter up ahead. Well I'm a sorta old farmer, and what I am seeing or rather hearing is ...... the sound of dropping green walnuts.

Yes, I finally figured that one out! I thought I was perhaps in a weird re-incarnation of the blair witch, with rather loud distinct sounds coming from mostly the tree areas. Crunching, crashing, creaking, clicking. It turns out that all these sounds come from the green walnuts that the gray squirrels cut down from the walnut trees, leaves and all. If the walnut goes through the tree it's a crunching and crashing sounds. If it hits the roof of our old shed it's a clicking, bounce bounce bounce type sound. I'm a curious type so upon hearing these sounds from my writing window quite a few times, I decided to investigate. Er especially in the bright of day. Sure enough the gray squirrels high, so high, 50 feet high in the walnut trees are busy at work. Chewing and gnawing on the branch leaves. Harvesting their sailing walnuts down to the forest floor for gathering in either early morning or early evening. Busy busy busy always so busy. So I'm happy now knowing what those noises were, that went crash in the night. I also feel happy and privileged to see such a work of nature in action.


e
www.magicalsaltmarshes.com

the sun has sunken south
and the shadows are growing long
i see these words showing on the land

the green is slowly turning
with patches of yellow, orange and red
green walnuts are falling off the very tall trees
the ones that stretch to the sky and shake with the wind

the morning and nights a bit cooler now
the dry crisp weather reminds me of California

the animals of the magical salt marshes
are eating in earnest now
different varieties of birds and butterfly's
now all gather and graze in our backyard sanctuary
with plenty of food they all eat in harmony
Seaside Sparrows, Red Robins, Eastern Striped Chipmunks, Gray Squirrels, Cottontails, Red Eastern Cardinals
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Great Spangled Fritillaries, Monarchs

this place, this Connecticut
how does she do it?
how does she stay so fertile and new?

e

butterfly kisses

life is amazing here 

i've just been kissed a dozen times by a butterfly

Large, orange and very beautiful

the two of them courting and swirling in this late afternoon August sunlight


timeless, ageless in their dance

 So beautiful and carefree

e

morning grey light

morning grey light
towering over me
making the sky an endless cathedral
light and dark grey high
changing between hope and foreboding
e

my little shed

my little shed shimmers in the morning sun
it's ravaged brown shaker tiles
are colored temporarily beige and dark earth tones by early morning dampness
it's tight tar roof side patch job, glistens like tiny diamonds, reflecting the suns early morning dew
it stands there always ready
for help, shelter, solace and solitude
my little shed
somehow it sits there knowing, unobtrusive, and ready willing and able when I am
my little shed

e

Boat marinas are cheap, waterfront "Staycations"

Boats in and around salt marsh marinas are also becoming a legitimate place of alternative residence.

Boats are a wonderful diversion, especially when you pull into any of the beautiful marinas nestled in Southern Connecticut’s salt marshes. These safe harbors with their easy access are part of a spectacular Eastern Seaboard coastline. An unlimited variance of wildlife at any given moment, in addition to changing weather conditions makes it a boaters and photographers dream come true.

So why would you like to leave all this? Put your anchor down and stay awhile. With the high cost of boat fuel, live La Vida Loca here! With the average price of $5,000 for maintenance and operation of your boat per year, (amenities you’re paying for pools, high speed internet, tennis, ship store, laundry) you could offset that cost with a “staycation”. With the extreme added bonus of being lulled to bed like the softest of Irish lullaby’s on your boat in a safe slip. Cool and quaint coffee shops and great breakfast deals abound. Not your run of the mill everyday fare, either. No just the good local stuff! Lunch at any one of fantastic seafood restaurants on the BPR (Boston Post Road), clams, lobster, blue fish, haddock, cod, it makes my mouth water. Dinner and cocktails and no car to drive, just a lovely mellow walk back to your boat and later night reveries.

If you want to take your boat out then, relax into let flow mode. If your lucky enough to have a sailboat all your needing is a fair wind. For you power boaters easy up yer throttle go for a slow ride and you’ll see and enjoy a lot more and burn a helluva lot of less gas. Now that’s what I call a Boaters staycation!

Wishing you all lazy happy summer days and boat drinks!

	[Home] [Algae] [Boats] [New England Clam Bake] [Clams] [Fiddler Crabs] [Rabbits] [Eastern Chipmunk] [Northern Cardinals] [Groundhog] [Switchgrass] [Ladybug] [Mystery life form] [Red Raspberries] [Kayaking] [little blue feather] [My beautiful earth] [the ospreys cry] [About me] [Contact] [Links]

	Copyright & Year of Publication 2008 Magical Salt Marshes - All Rights Reserved

little blue feather

little blue feather
you caught my eye at my door
fallen on the ground you looked like none other around
i pick you up and see how beautiful you are
little blue feather how precious you are

e

Alviiin our backyard Chipmunk

Alviiin our backyard Eastern Striped Chipmunk

standing up on your hind legs at the base of our cellar doors,

you look at me, then looking toward the salt marshes

you scoot, hop skip, merrily away, on to your way!

e

Alviiiin our backyard Chipmunk

Alviiin our backyard Eastern Striped Chipmunk. Standing up on his hind legs at the base of our cellar doors, then looking at me then looking toward the salt marshes, then scoot,hop skipping merrily away on his day!

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Summer Brreeze thru the Big Maple Tree

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the sunny room & the fresh cut grass

it's morning and dark in the house except
when i pass the closed door on the writing room
its bright sunlight shines thru
under the door and all around its edges

i open it and the sunlight fills everywhere

i smell the sweet fresh cut grass

the robins are hopscotch running across its ground for breakfast
the junior red northern cardinal is still calling for a mate in the big old maple tree

i feel the quiet summer breeze
up from down the salt marshes

our little garden is in a patch of sunlight

tiny little yellow round spider babies, joyously line zipping on their silken threads
creating shimmering multicolored paths of light for all to see

the sky a sapphire blue at this beautiful moment
it's a glorious morning in the magical salt marshes

e

green rustling leaves

green rustling leaves

just a hint of breeze

and the green wind chime leaves

gently clatter

a light dusting by nature's maid

e

misty morning

misty morning

the sun shines his eyes thru the holes in the big maple
i can see thru the big maple now,
vision holes, to the other side of the light pink and opaque blue sky
in spring she was lush and green and i couldn't

see thru her
but now she's defining herself
letting the wind and sun shine thru her
and the insects sizzle, pop and crack
their soothing sound so right for this early

summer morning
i hear a faint bird song accross the magical salt

marshes
the pink northern skys rising clouds are building for a predicted day of thunderstorms
thick and enveloping this weather holds me

like a baby in her mothers arms

e

the early robin gets the worm

the early robin gets the worm

robins running like roadrunners over the dewy green ground
hoping, jumping in little spurts to new digs
turning over the earth
in clumps of green and brown
looking for juicy earthworms

flying into the branches of the big maple tree as the sun begins to really shine
blue and white day aahh New England fair New England
clouds drift lazily by
in a constant stream
heading across the pond

e

this thunderstorm. . .

this thunderstorm. . .

gray and black clouds
billowing up fast
people, animals, and insects scurrying around as not to be last
chilly still air
and then hard cracks of thunder
cold light rain
a lightning bolt
and a very close blasting cap of dynamite wonder
it's incredible this natural world we deny living in
going about our lives as if she didn't matter
until she shakes us up out of our self imposed slumber
and that she does and always will
to pay attention to the here and now
glorious nature you know us all too well

e

Magic Rainwater

Magic Rainwater

Magic Rainwater soothing earth with her sweet lullaby
tending her garden with so many dew drops

covering everything and everyone with her kindness
making squash blossoms bloom
trumpeting their gratitude

father sun shines making her sparkle
each drop a tiny prism of light

e

the ospreys cry

the ospreys cry it poured last night
filling my seashells with rainwater
my window sill a micro photo of the sea
splashing thru the screens and onto my reaching arms cool and clean and fresh

the dawn breaking with early gray
the ospreys cry I hear so clearly
he's flying over the magical salt marshes

e

A New E.T. Spotted in Westbrook, CT???

A New E.T. Spotted in Westbrook???

My husband found this animal creature near our squash plants and he called me over in earnest saying “you gotta see this”!

So I left the clothes a hanging on the clothesline and made a bee line over. I could not believe what I was seeing; it’s color was beautiful, almost the color of the yellow neck squash flower. It moved so quickly and aggressively it didn’t appear to be a caterpillar. So I ran in an got the old Olympus. In the meanwhile my husband put the “thing” in a small planter container as you can see in the 1st photo. I got close for a macro shot but was pretty scared as it starred me down and I had thoughts of it going “alien” on me, nevertheless being the trooper I am, I continued to shoot and then finally video tape the thing. We finally decided he wasn’t going to do our squash any good and took it over to the other side of the yard and dropped it in the berry bushes. On second thought we should have kept him or her for a while. We sure would be interested in what this is. And now with the Montauk Monster washing up on Long Island sound we are getting a creepy feeling of all the weird things that are out there.

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i have new faith in myself and the universe

I am strong like the big maple tree
with branches that spread throughout the world
a resting place for the birds and butterflies

tho there may be clouds overhead
the sun also shines so brightly on me
i have new faith in myself and the universe
such a glorious day
e

hot, humid and heavy with life

damselflies, butterflies
June bugs and fireflies
crickets and hornets
all buzzing along the happy trails
in the beautiful magical salt marshes
summertime sights and sounds
hot, humid and heavy with life
this last day of July in the summer of 2008

e

Hot Summer Day

Hot Summer Day

hot summer day
like hot love
i love you
the more i look at your quirky picture and eyes
the more i fall in love with you
your eyes are compassion
your eyes are clear
your eyes look for far and near


e

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter

your enchanting paintings and tales
of Peter Rabbit going lipity lipity lipity

carrying our imaginations in flight
on the wings of Jemima puddle-duck

opening our eyes to your special world
saving the child in all of us

so many thanks i send to you

e

So you say you want a little rain?

Thunder so hard it makes the ground shake!

deep and low the thunder crows
tremendous cracks and roars

closer it comes turning the morning sky into night
downpour of rain
shading in gray

stops the rain and quiet for a while

then a crack of thunder that seems to start in NY
and branch over me like a large maples sprawling roots
all the way to Boston!

grumbling, rumbling grumbling. . . . . hungry for his breakfast

e

more about "So you say you want a little rain?", posted with vodpod

Thunder so hard it makes the ground shake!

deep and low the thunder crows
tremendous cracks and roars

closer it comes turning the morning sky into night
downpour of rain
shading in gray

stops the rain and quiet for a while

then a crack of thunder that seems to start in NY
and branch over me like a large maples sprawling roots
all the way to Boston!

grumbling, rumbling grumbling. . . . . hungry for his breakfast

e

a cool cool salt sea air is roaring in

a cool cool salt sea air is roaring in

it's been so hot and humid here and hard to

bare

but now it's breezy and cool and grey
and the salt wind lifts the giant maples leaves
up and down

like big wide palm fronds fanning the ground

Hiawatha woods beckon me to the magical salt

marshes

where the wind blows its soft reeded grasses

into magnificent art that flows
and changes like musicians notes

e

plant it and it will grow

7:41am 7/22/08 Westbrook

looking out my back window
into my backyard and the great salt water marshes beyond

i see what i have done

what nature has done

they are both good

an everyday amazement
in the process of being

e

Algal research at MIT « Algae: the new biofuel?

Algae Fuel

more about "Algal research at MIT « Algae: the ne...", posted with vodpod

golden garden light

7:18am

morning breeze so warm light and quiet
summertime bliss

rabbits lay in my backyard
in little soft sandy dirt circles they've created
for dust baths

rollin so full of natural joy on their backs with their white bellies to the sky; their ears back
ah life is good
and they lay there contented

squirrels climb up and down very high trees
looking for nuts that haven't arrived yet

birds of the magical salt marshes play tag

they all meet and eat in harmony alongside the red raspberry bush
there's the couple of red cardinals landing for a moment in the maple tree then they both fly off so happily chirp chirp tweet
bunnies frolicking their auburn ears catching the morning light.
Another day to live and be present in natures golden garden of light.

e

native moon

native moon you shine so bright
soft and ocher magical light
you capture my sight
with dreams of lusty delights

e

KAYAKING THE MAGICAL SALT MARSHES

KAYAKING THE MAGICAL SALT MARSHES

Kayaking in the magical salt marshes is a fun thing to do in the summertime or really just about anytime. Gliding quietly along the banks of the magical salt marshes like a twig on a mild stream. Surrounded by nature and her exquisite makings.

Of course to take this journey the 1st thing you will need is a seaworthy sea kayak which is an ideal craft designed for open water, coastal, and rough water use. The term sea kayak is often used to describe true sea kayaks, recreational kayaks, and touring kayaks. Sea kayaks are typically longer and narrower than recreational kayaks. Not quite as maneuverable as whitewater kayaks, yet with sufficient volume and speed for covering large distances with substantial camping gear. Sea kayaks are not as fast as racing kayaks, but are much more versatile.

Some traditional kayak history:
Some of the earliest writings regarding kayaks are from the Norse that settled in Vinland† around 1000 AD. Kayaks, paddles and other hunting tools vary from region to region around the earth. Each form is designed to meet the specific needs of the people of the region and the game that they hunted, whether sea mammals, caribou or whatever was edible.

Sea kayaking has it's fans and has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. It has become a more popular means of paddling than canoing. Kayaking is popular with people of all ages, men and women alike because your paddling activity can get you closer to the magical salt marshes, in an extremely quiet manner, that doesn't disturb birds or other wildlife. Unlike noisy motorboats. Sea kayaking allows one to adventure forth for an afternoon or a month, of wildlife experiences without the need for any outside assistance. A true American spirit!

Training for sea kayaking

Basic techniques:
Forward strokes, sweep strokes and bracing are the first ones to learn. These form the basis of all kayaking techniques. After that it can depend of the type of kayaking you are doing, as to which strokes and other techniques that are most useful.

Swimming and Rolling:
While learning the basics, you may experience a capsize or two. Initially this will result in a swim. Having experienced this event you may quickly become interested in learning to Roll. Follow this link for a pretty good video view of how it's done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPVt8ObBjqw


Places to Kayak in the magical salt marshes:

Menunketesuck River, Westbrook:
Put off at Kirtland's landing and glide about 2 miles down this magical salt-marsh river to the harbor and back. Expect to see herons, egrets, kingfishers, hawks and migrating shore birds. Waterproof cameras and binoculars are handy devices, along with a nice wide brim hat, sun screen, water and towel. A list of birds that have been seen here have been the great blue heron, little blue heron, green heron, great egret, snowy egret, lesser yellowleg sandpiper, spotted sandpiper, semipalmated plover, mallard, Canada goose, laughing gull, herring gull, greater blacked back gull, double-crested cormorant, morning dove, rock dove, kingfisher, osprey, red tailed hawk.

Have a wonderful and safe journey through the Magical Salt Marshes!

e

The Beautiful Bounty of Summer - Westbrook Red Raspberries!

Damn Crows

crows crows everywhere
waking me from sleep
keeping me from sleep
how do they know this is the morning i want to sleep in
tired, will try to continue to sleep
nope
there must be all of them, in the maple tree
alright I'm getting up
all quiet
damn crows
how do they know?

why did i plant corn?
do i have to invest in a scarecrow?
naw too many horror movies about them, I'd scare myself !

e

Westbrook Willie 100 yard dash

Westbrook Willie 100 yard dash. Our backyard groundhog covering some serious yardage.

more about "Westbrook Willie 100 yard dash", posted with vodpod

oh, but their sound is sweet!

the prettiest songbirds are plain looking
oh, but their sound is sweet!
curliques of sound wrap around my ears and raise my weary head to listen
such sounds i wish you all could hear
strings of clips here and there
chorus's
replies
the beautifully enchanting evening symphony of sounds
on the "magical salt marshes"

e

bunny long jump hops, in the back forest glen

bunny long jump hops, in the back forest glen
out late this morning
safe not too far from his den

i call him with smooching sounds

my little movie star
here he comes hopping over
looking for the sound

which he finds and looks straight in my eye

he's small and brown
with his ears up and face turned to me
his little face long narrow and observant

hey bunny bunny
i call
and he looks and looks
listening
then he lays in the grass keeping his eye on me

i look away and he's gone

e

the morning comes and lights the shadows

the morning comes and lights the shadows
glowing glistening light
illuminating everything

how does mother earth balance things so equally?
the soft wind, the birds calls, the harmony of nature?

there is so much here
people before us, I'm sure loved this place
Iroquois Pilgrims Immigrants
all one thing in common
the good earth
the abundance of her giving gifts
their gratitude

this land has seen much and endures
it's faith in nature herself
and the underlying understanding of time

e

what a glorious day

the blustery dry day calls me out so early this morning
I heard her blowing all night
shush wushshush wuuuuuuuushhhhhhhh
banging the blinds to keep me awake

up from the salt marshes
and in from the the northwest
the sweetest wind
full of life and hope

no skeets
and the marsh grass sways with designs by the wind

my sheets whip and blow with the northwind
bringing back memories of my mom
the way i ran through them with such glee
how fresh and ionic they smelled
happiness with such simplicity

Oh breath of earth, thank you for your sweet breath on me and such happy memories!

e

warm summer rain

the warm summer night, came with the warm summer rain
shepherding the firefly's gently up from the salt marshes
twinkling
they all twinkled magically
into the shelter of the trees and bushes

the soft rain on the leaves sounded like light applause
what a beautiful night show
for those
who
were so lucky
to see!

e

3 Canadian Geese in Westbrook, CT Salt Marshes

3 ducks in Westbrook, CT Salt Marshes, originally uploaded by estelle_b1.

3 Gorgeous Canadian Geese in Westbrook, CT "Magical Salt Marshes"

on this beautiful little blue planet called earth

a cacophony of sound
swirls
chirps
loopy sounds
the knocking on wood like a soft jackhammer

the red sun
brings the smoky coloured sky
hazing the salt marshes with a look of early morning primordial splendor
in her nakedness
she witnesses another glorious day
full of promise and hope in the natural rhythms of life. . .

on this beautiful little blue planet called earth
e

cool cool heavy breeze

comes the grey night and cool breeze
cooling the hot and humid day
cool cool heavy breeze
blowing up from the magical salt marshes
bringing welcome relief on the salty air
e

interfering with the infinity of celestial starlight

7/7.08 10:3pm Westbrook,ct


I hate the cathedral lights people put in their back yards...


interfering with the infinity of celestial starlight




how can one ever see firefly's or'
the stars and moon
who are they ???
are they so afraid
or maybe ignorant
of the natural world
but why should they prevent me my pleasure
of my world?

e

New England Clambake a real 4th of July Celebration!

http://local.yahoo.com/results?p=clams
clams

steamed, fried, baked, whole, stuffed, strips, stuffings, clam dip, clam pies and of course our beloved New England Clam Chowda... served in little California clam sourdough rounds mmmmm my favorite!

I love clams. Steamers, Little Necks, Cherry stones, Quahogs, Ipswichs. There is nothing that smells more like summer than an old fashioned clam bake on the shore. Their salty fresh scent everywhere here by the shore. Carloads of people pulling into shanty shacks, (my favorite) high brow fru fru restaurants and great family restaurants. Piling in like buckets of clams themselves. The summer sun, the excitement of driving on US-1 or the Old Boston Post Road or what I like to call it the BPR. Summertime, happy warm days, time for clamming.

Soft shell clams or Steamers grow in salt marshes and mud flats. Hard shell clams or Quahogs (an Algonquin word) live in sandy bays and along the shore. The Algonquins as most native peoples, used the clam for everything from food to tools and jewelry.

Of course the real fun starts with the search for buried treasure or clam digging. Pull on your favorite shorts and start gently walking along wide stretches of deserted salt marshes and beach, breathing in the salt air and being at one with nature. You may get lost in just doing this, but onto the work at hand.

So let's get started. You will need to be as close to the waters edge as you can get. You will need a clam rake, a pointed shovel a mesh bag or wire basket suspended from an inner tube. Now when the tide goes out look for little bubbles, air holes or dimples with a couple of inches between them, those would be the Big Daddy's. Once you see those, turn your back to the sea (disregard temporarily what your parents taught you about always looking out for the waves) and dig a deep vertical hole, quick now, because the clams know what's going on above them and dig down quick, anywheres from 6 to 9 inches to avoid being caught. Flip that spade full of sand over and see your 1st clam! Yes you will get dirty and gritty but a quick splash in the ocean water and you're as clean as the driven surf.

Then start a rich New England tradition of a good old fashioned clambake ah "a mighty party! Here is the real deal! At the beach dig a hole in the sand with the approximate proportions: width 2 feet, length 4 feet, depth 1-1/2 feet. Have the kids find and bring back stones from the beach. Then line the hole with stones from the beach. Build a fire inside of the hole and cover with rocks from the beach. Heat the stones for 2 to 3 hours. Take out the coals and/or embers from the hole. Arrange hot stones evenly across the bottom of the hole. Place fresh 1/2 bushel seaweed (wet) on top of the hot stones. Now work quick to layer the food on top of the seaweed, the food should be layered evenly on top of each other in the following order: clams, mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs (wrapped in cheesecloth), onions, potatoes (white and sweet), corn, and finally lobsters. Cover the food with a clean, wet cloth. Place remaining seaweed on top of cloth. Cover entire hole of food with a wet tarpaulin (canvas cloth), sealing in the steam created by the hot stones and seaweed. Allow a only very small amount of steam to escape to relieve pressure. Let bake cook for 1 or more hours. The bake is completed when the potatoes are soft. Serve bake with melted butter to dip the seafood in, lobster crackers and of course a frosty cold beer...Samuel Adams of course. Bring lots of paper napkins and big plastic bags for clean up and pack out off the beach.

The simple act of foraging for ones food at the shore is almost primordial. The great discovery and joy of finding one and then another clam; and the great finale of gathered loved ones around the clam dinner table. New England life at it's best.

e

native dwellers of the magical salt marshes

the magical salt marshes stretch out like prairies do in the west
smooth with tall cord-grasses that move with the earths breath
culieques of blue and salt water curve thru it to the sea

the snowy egret, osprey, the marsh wren, willet and seaside sparrow

live here

their neighbors the marsh and fiddler crab, Atlantic ribbed mussel,

northern diamondback terrapin, along with the meadow vole, raccoon,
and fisher

all nourished by the magical salt marshes

it's epoch life and death cycle
feeding legions for eons
never dying in return

e

and remember him in my minds eye

the tiny morning light peers thru the fog like a laser telescope
one clear shot of sunrise and the rest shaded brilliance

it's all foggy white now, over the salt marsh pool
the squirrels dance so high in the trees
they look down into my room

there are so many things to see and hear
the brave little squirrel who at the very fragile tip of the tree top
jumps to the next tree and holds on there
. . . for a moment swaying
then moves on

baroque and chamber music in my ear
happiness

i so carefully open the window screen
risking salt marsh mosquitoes
to film the crimson red cardinal
who i simply cannot
i am meant to only see and remember him in my minds eye

e

...a good cloudy day

Scarlet sky
gives way to gray day

still and motionless
the lightest of misting rain

the robins hop and beak for food
the plants open their arms up and wide
stretching and stretching for the open sky

the salt marshes
soft and yellow green

a good cloudy day

e

"Westbrook Willie" our Groundhog

Peeks and Boos

the low fog down in the salt marsh
is oozing up toward the house
it's whitish pool
being uplifted by the rising sun
the sky is already clearing to a whitish blue

sunrise
shining white like heaven against the fog

here comes a big bold sleepy fisher
her stubby legs carrying her forward
mowing down not so delicately, what she finds

the sun peeks and boos against the fog as it rises in the sky
it's lost now for awhile

e

Beautiful Beautiful Rain

tapping on every leaf

the very small bush is playing drums

just as a drummer does
with his whole body
feeling every beat of the rain

with the rain comes the clearness of sound

so many tip taps that turn into a chorus
still falling still playing

i wish i was as benevolent as rain
touching everything with life

e

warm fog

Westbrook June 23 2008


fog hangs in the trees
brown bunny mows the grass
white cottontail on his ass

it's sticky
it's sweet with jasmine scent
and you feel as if you're energy is spent

everything is still but the traffic and birds
who of every size and shape chirp this is my tree and annoying me

bunny you look at me so small'
and wonder why i am behind glass
why I've put myself voluntarily in a zoo?

his paws are so little, almost like soft little little, soft fringed suede feathers
hopping so daintily among the morning dew

big teardrop eyes keeping on eye on curious me



this tea is warm and good
waking me up with a second sip
smells like summer

my face is soft and clean and I start to smile again
an ever so light cool breeze making it up from the
salt marshes make me believe it magic again


e

My Beautiful Salt Marshes

Westbrook

my beautiful salt marshes
where hope springs eternal

each day you bring the spring
and tomorrow you will bring summer

your reed grasses, now growing tall and free
crowned with beige tufts for all to see

your deep blue water streams
swaying their way to the shore

your life abundant evermore



e