Skip to main content

Admiring Winter Ducks Moon

Image
By




Good morning everyone. Tuesday was the full Worm moon, the last full moon of winter. Supposedly named because in some areas of the country worm castings became visible around this time of year. A worm in Maine would have to be tougher than a five pound bag of hammers to get through the frost that is just starting to come out of the ground. This moon seems to have many names according to where you live; the full Sap Moon, the Lenten Moon, the Full Crust Moon (in reference to snow, not Mary’s pies), and the full Crow Moon. And why shouldn’t a full moon be named according to what is going on in your reality. The full Let’s Get Ready to Go Sailing Moon. That works for us. Does that mean that April 9th will have the Full Bore Linear Panic Tax Deadline Moon. Take it easy Cap. What natural seasonal ritual is happening in your world that would name your March full moon?

We could certainly call ours the full Sap Moon. The sap is slowly coming to flow in our taps (see last blog) but there is a decided nip in the air this morning on a strong NW wind. It will be a few days yet before we are emptying buckets twice a day. We could also call this the Admiring Winter Ducks Moon. I was down at the schooner the other day when the ducks pictured here were paddling the harbor. The ice has receded back far enough so that they can dabble for small crustaceans close in to the shoreline. Mergansers (both common and hooded) along with buffelhead are winter residents here. You have heard me say it before and I never tire of it… these ducks are cool. They tickle something in my primordial brain that speaks of wild places in the North where I traveled years ago by land and by sea. Photographing them takes patience and a long lens that I honestly need way more practice with. I hope you enjoy these as much as I relished that moment. The reflections are from the masts of the windjammers. Oddly enough a former passenger who lives nearby came down to photograph these same ducks while I was there and we reminisced about happy memories sailing the bay aboard Mary Day and talked about how lucky we are to live in this amazing world.

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.
Labels:

Comments

Michele B said…
At my place, it is the Full Dog Grooming moon. I'm getting ready to take my dog to the groomer for "spring cleaning." Right now he looks like a matted, dirty dust bunny. Once he is shaved and shampooed, he will become a lean, clean barking machine. He looks so skinny without all that fur! I wish I could get a haircut and return from the beauty parlor looking skinner. LOL
March 12, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Unknown said…
Being a Yankee in King Cotton's court I don't know what the true sons of Dixie call the last full moon of winter. I was outside on the night the moon was full. The white flowers on the Bradford Pear trees seemed to glow opalescent. The red blooms on the Redbud trees seemed darker and maybe even a little sinister. I will call it the Flowering Tree Moon.
March 13, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Michele B said…
You are a very poetic Yankee, Ed. That sounds truly lovely. Whatever we call the moon, and wherever we may be, it is a wondrous thing to see when it is full. Up here in chilly New England, the last full moon of winter brings hope and the promise of spring. And of course, anticipation of SAILING SEASON! ;)
March 16, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Anonymous said…
Just an update for those on the wooden boat cruise last Sept. The engagement between Cecilia and Allen took. We were married on March the 7th.
Looking forward to much happy sailing.
Allen
March 22, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Captains Barry and Jen said…
Hooray Allen & Cecilia! It was so special to have you both aboard last summer during a very special moment. And now to hear that wedding bells have rung! May they ring proud and loud for many years to come.

Did you know that many folks celebrate their 50th anniversary on the Mary Day? We hope to see you sooner! Enjoy!
March 24, 2009 at 2:30 AM
Michele B said…
Cecilia and Allen - Congratulations! Felicitaciones! This is wonderful news! I thought your engagement during the cruise was very romantic. Many years of smooth sailing along the ocean of life. I hope we see you soon aboard the beautiful Mary Day. Abrazos
March 24, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Anonymous said…
Hey, I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog!…..I”ll be checking in on a regularly now….Keep up the good work! :)
March 11, 2010 at 6:38 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hail Mary

By
My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...
28 comments
Read more

Swimming Anyone?

By
Good morning everyone. Winter is still here in New England though it seems to be taking a rest these days. We have enjoyed a little bit of a thaw. We still have snow covering our field but it is thinning out in the sunny patches. Mary Day rests comfortably in the harbor, bilges dry, cover intact, waiting for the crew to return. Another busy week has passed so I will get you up to speed on everything that is happening here at the global headquarters. Jen is putting the finishing touches on year end taxes. Blockfest 2008 is finally finished. The blocks have received quite the massaging. And while we have the off-white paint out we are starting in on the lifeline stanchions, the davits, and a few other miscellaneous parts. Alex asked me last night how we were doing with our pace. We are doing great but in the back of my mind I know that there is never enough time to do it all. Having perfectionist tendencies is a curse. I want to do it all and know we will never have enough time. There se...
6 comments
Read more

Fall Maintenance

By
Good morning everyone. The sun has been kind to us these past few days and the crew has been spending much time aloft prepping and painting the mast heads and tarring the rig as part of our annual fall maintenance schedule. They were a little silly on tar fumes by the end of the day hence the rat board dance moves. Am I the only one who is reminded of Willy Wonka's little friends at the sight of the crew in their tyvek suits? Schoona-loompas? The smell of tar, after all, is what we sailors live for. Extracted from the stumps and roots of pine trees through dry distillation pine tar will cure what ails you especially some skin conditions and any emotional maladies from being too long away from the sea. All we know for sure is that Mary Day’s rigging is kept hail and hearty by coats of tar mixed with boiled linseed oil. Notice that I specified boiled linseed oil and not raw linseed oil. Tar mix with raw linseed oil will not “kick”. Don’t ask me how I know this… just take my wo...
5 comments
Read more