I saw this barred owl this morning. It was just after sunrise in low light. This photo was lightened a bit. Happy Owloween!
Happy Owloween!
Another Barred Owl Family
This is a new family for me. I only saw one owl on the side of a rural road when it was getting towards dark, but earlier I had heard two calling back and forth deeper in the woods in the same area. For a few days I have been witnessing the tell tale signs of their presence, but they appeared to be staying deep in the woods when I was there. Last night I was finally lucky.
This was was pretty close to the edge of the road. All of these photos are lightened and cropped. I also use a zoom lens.
I could not believe how close this one flew behind my car which I was using as a blind. It seemed totally unfazed by me. I think it may be an owl born this past spring. By now they are the same size as their parents and indistinguishable from the older owls. In addition, by now they are on their own. They are hunting for themselves and will move further away, but usually within 8 miles of the nesting tree they were born in. Cornell University banded some owls and they found they did not move any farther away than 6 miles from the tree they were born in.
The owl flew back to the tree. Then another person who pulled over said when it flew eventually further away they saw another owl perched further back. If it was a juvenile, that might have been its sibling. These owls were flying low and luckily this road was in a farming area, so not a lot of traffic, but crossing roads is one of the biggest hazards for owls. Collision with cars are the leading cause of injury and death for owls. Happy Friday!
Eagle Catching a Fish
These pictures are part of a sequence. The eagle was perched in a tree. Then, it flew down to the water below the tree. Next, it immediately came up with a fish. Finally, it flew off to a tree further away where presumably it’s mate was.
This all happened far away. I used a zoom lens and cropped these photos.
Unfortunately, something was blocking my view between the eagle and I, where it scooped the fish out of the water. I was lucky enough to see this much. Have a great weekend!
Dogs of Buckham Fair
Buckham Fair is an event in Dorset, England that raises money for local charities. Before COVID it may have happened every other year. This was the first fair after COVID. It includes fair rides, food and trade stalls, dog events and horse shows.
Dog show events inside the rings included: Agility, Hoopers, Sniff Along, Temptation Alley, and Fun Run. They also had Pedigree Judging and Best Rescue / Re-homed Dog. Fun judged events included Fluffiest/Scruffiest, Pawsome Party Trick, Odd Couple, Best 6 Legs (dog and owner) Dog Most Like Neil Morrissey, and Judge’s Choice. This post shows some of the dogs that participated in the obstacle course. I don’t know whether this fell under agility or fun run.
This is year’s event raised money for Dorset County Hospital Charity. As of September 25th the total amount raised was 141, 500 pounds. The money is going towards a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit currently under construction at Dorset County Hospital. It was a fun event that raised money for a good cause.
Bufflehead Duck 2026
Buffleheads are my favourite duck. I love their personality. While I find most ducks to be shy, with the exception of mallards, sometimes buffleheads will swim close to you if you stay still for a while. I have seen them walk on shore within about 15 feet of me.
Barn Owl
The background is changed to obscure the location. In New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Barn Owls are on the Species of Special Concern List. In Connecticut and Vermont they are on the Endangered List.
In England, Barn Owls are doing better population wise. in the mid 1990s there were around 4,000 breeding pairs. Today they estimate between 8,000-12,000 breeding pairs.
Best Medicine TV Show
Tonight the TV show Best Medicine airs on Fox. It is already on Hulu. It airs 8 pm Eastern time zone. They has a preview episode on Sunday night. I highly recommend this show.
Photo from © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Michael Schwartz/FOX.
This show is based on the British show Doc Martin, but will not follow it exactly it appears. The humour was changed to fit in with American audiences and the cast and crew represent the diversity of the U.S. Some new characters are added that do not have representations in the original series and that in itself could lead to new story lines.
Photo from © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Michael Schwartz/FOX.
This show is filmed throughout the Hudson Valley of New York in multiple counties and locales. However, the fictional location of the show is Portwenn, Maine. I was lucky enough to be allowed to watch as a spectator the first few months of filming when it was at a location closer to me.
Some seasoned actors are regulars in this series. Josh Charles, who plays Doc Martin, a doctor that admittedly hates people, but switches to general practice after he develops a blood phobia while a surgeon. Charles is known for playing Will Gardner in the Good Wife, Commander Wharton in Handmaid’s Tale, and Knox Overstreet in Dead Poet’s Society among many other roles.
Photo from © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Michael Schwartz/FOX.
Abigail Spencer plays Louisa in this show. Louisa is a charming, local teacher that everyone loves. Her character and the Doc get off to a bad start. She has appeared in Suits as Dana Scott, was Dr. Megan Hunt in Grey’s Anatomy, Juliana Marano in Extended Family and has appeared in many other productions.
BEST MEDICINE: Cree. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Michael Schwartz/FOX.
Cree Cicchino, plays Elaine, the administrative assistant to Doc Martin. She comes off as a bit flaky, but ambitious. She is a wannabe social media influencer that annoys the Doc, but she has redeeming qualities by the end of the episode. Cree has appeared in many productions. She was the character Emily Arlen in Big Sky, Marisol Fuentes in Mr. Iglesias, and Babe Carano in Game Shakers among others. Cree has Ecuadorian heritage.
Josh Segarra plays Sheriff Mark Mylow in Best Medicine. His character appears to be happy go lucky and comes off as likeable in a town that probably sees very little crime. He played Manny in Abbott Elementary, CO Stephanovic in Orange is the New Black, Giorgio in the Big Door Prize, Adrian Chase in Arrow, Justin Voight in Chicago PD, Hecto Ruiz in the Electric company, and many other roles. Josh is of Puerto Rican heritage. I do not have access to a promo photo of Josh.
BEST MEDICINE: Annie Potts. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Michael Schwartz/FOX.
Annie Potts’s character is Aunt Sarah, the aunt of Doc Martin. Her character is an owner of a lobster boat. She is a no nonsense kind of person with a heart. Most recently she was in Young Sheldon and its spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Wedding, playing the same character,”Meemaw.” She has a long list of credits including Bo Peep in Toy Story 1 and 2, Mary Jo in Designing Women, Dana Palladino in Love and War, Louanne Johnson in Dangerous Minds, and Mary Elizabeth Sims in Any Day Now.
This show appears to be a charming adaption of the original show it is based on. It falls under both comedy and drama. It seems to be the right mix in a sea of reality shows and sports driven content. The characters can be quirky, but you warm up to them. Watch Best Medicine Tueday nights starting tonight or view it on Hulu.
Maine Christmas Wreath Booth
I came across this lovely little shed or booth where you could buy a wreath. It was outside a town, so I can’t remember exactly where, but it is near the Maine coast.
It is a lovely little display, don’t you think? I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Metal Lobster Trap Christmas Trees
The modern lobster traps are made of metal. They are used today because the are more durable. Metal traps are better at handling salt water erosion, they are lighter, and can be stacked more easily. These are two examples of lobster trap trees made with metal traps.
The above tree was I believe outside a seafood shop in Kennebunkport.
I believe the above tree is in the Cape Porpoise area of Kennebunkport outside a family house. Could the owner be a lobster fisherman? Have a super Saturday!
Wooden Lobster Trap Trees
Different locations bring their own culture and traditions into how they celebrate Christmas. Maine incorporates its fishing industry into its holiday displays. Lobster trap Christmas trees are part of displays in different towns.
The ones I am focusing on this post are the ones made of the old style wooden lobster traps. They are stacked up like a tree. Then decorated with buoys, lights, and or greenery. Personally I love the ones that combine the greenery with red buoys. The ones above and below use a lobster image as a tree topper.
It sounds like the lobster trap tree tradition was initiated in Gloucester, Massachusetts first in 2001 and the idea spread to other towns in New England. Many times these trees are community organised with local lobstermen lending the traps for the displays.
This last tree is my favourite because of the views around it. This one is at the Beachmere Inn. It is topped with a starfish. The Beachmere has a great restaurant with views of this tree and the ocean. You can eat lunch or dinner and enjoy this view when sitting near the windows.
What do you think of this tradition? I hope you had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year.
