Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dogs Rule at Dewey Beach but not at Cape Henlopen State Park

Dogs and Dewey Beach is a match made in " Until Death-Dewey Part in Heaven" but not at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Dewey Beach dogs know the lifeguard warning and final whistle and many then just walk themselves up the street to the beach to meet up with their owner!
Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) is not a dog destination.
Only the paved trails that parallel the paved roads, and the "Ocean Surf Fishing Beach" are allowed for leashed dogs. Nowhere are unleashed dogs allowed.
A doggie- day at CHSP destination thus is only the above and no dog should suffer time in a locked hot car while the owner plays elsewhere.
If your dog ducks into the Federally Protected Bird Preserve, "The Point" and a Park Watch Volunteer informs you that your dog is not allowed, and if a Federally Protected Endangered Species bird is killed earning you a $25,000 fine: follow the advice and leave the restricted area.
If you and your doggie want a fun time: Dewey Beach is the best choice.
Labra -Doodle play time groups and "Grey Hounds Reach The Beach " events are where the action is; later you can hang out at a cafe with a beer in hand while doggie slurps your icecream.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Red Knot Anxiety

I'm the Sunday Red Knot-Shore Bird project Volunteer. At the early AM meeting we filled out numerous volunteer sheets choosing the specific designation box : True Volunteer.
Volunteer-us Vera, my species name.
This is my second "migration" participating in the project, thus now I am getting familiar with the daily pace and goals.
The goal is : find a Red Knot, find a Red Knot, find a Red Knot.
The Red Knots are streaming into the DE Bay. The daily numbers are going parabolic but we are waiting, waiting, waiting for The BIG Day of Arrival! The arrival is en masse. 75% of the world's population shows up for the party.
The 20 or so Brits crossed The Pond for the party braving Icelandic Volcano Ash Plumes and endless flight hours, bringing with them their scopes and tripods, supplies of PG Tips Tea, Marmite, and bottles of whiskey.
Yet, as the morning meeting dispersed into our assignments I felt the tension. A happy tension. Anxiety. Happy Anxiety. Red Knot Anxiety!
I realized that I was anxious too!
When do they arrive? Where will they feed? Will the birds cooperate in feeding where they can be netted and banded?
Red Knots please read my email and know that the Horse Shoe Crabs are in abundance and so is the food.
Please arrive soonest!

Beach Blessings,

Dewey Beach Dogs and Big Fish

How sweet is it to walk the beach and greet Dewey's local's dogs who remember me from the previous season!
As I headed to the Life Saving Station a sandy and wet golden retriever ran over to me and stole off my hand my pink Nike glove!!! Doggie was just saying "hi, welcome back" and wanted social-time. I did ask for my glove back...... then I noticed the dog's owner as one of my beach buds!
We finished our walk together....... later off we went to Big Fish to meet up with another friend for dinner.
This is why I Love Dewey Beach!

Beach Blessings,

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Small Kitchen Stories: Ta-Ta's for Tautogs

Arriving into town, I want to have a lovely dinner and that often means fresh fish. At Rehoboth Seafood Market I looked over the options...... I wanted local and affordable.
I scanned the ice case and saw, "Tautog" which looked shimmery-pink and firm, and it was cheap! I asked for one fillet.
Tautog! It is not a gorgeous name. Sounds like a fish version of a tug boat! Curious to see a picture, I discovered that this fish is the opposite of pretty.
Immediately I had to find for the fish a new name: Ta-Ta Fish!
Ha, with a "Save the Ta-Ta Fish" advertisement campaign the sales would soar and so would the price!
The Ta-Ta fish is firm and sweet. Ha!

Save The Ta-Ta's Tautog Simmer Pan

Ta-Ta Tautog, 1 fillet
Tomato, chopped
Scallions, chopped
Small Zucchini, chopped
Mushrooms, chopped
Dill-weed
Olive Oil
Vermouth

In a big flat skillet, add in the olive oil and heat up. Add in all the vegetables except the tomatoes and saute until nicely colored. Lay in the fillet, skin-side down. Add in the chopped tomatoes and Dill-weed. Add in a nice pour of Vermouth. Cover. Simmer for 5 minutes on one side and then turn the fillet over for 5 more minutes.
Serve with a huge slice of toasted Sourdough bread.

Ta-da!
or should I say?
Ta-TA!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Spring Migration Hawk Watch

How is it that I do "Migration" backwards? 
In Fall I migrate North back to PA and in Spring I migrate South, returning to Delaware!
In fact, I reside the plutonian deep Winter months on a mountain-top only to return to sea-level in Spring, with Summer on my Birkenstock "Persephone"  heels. 
No wonder that I identify with the Raptors and attend their Spring and Fall Migrations!
I arrived at Cape Henlopen's Spring Hawk Watch with The Best Weather and Number Count of the Season's Watch!  Ah, a result of my Persephone credentials!
We had a total Merlin Festival with numbers ~ 80 for the day.  We also tallied 50 plus: Coopers, Sharpies, and Kestrels.
After the watch I could not resist to check out the Bayside at low tide!  Turkey Vultures happily picked at dead and dying Horseshoe Crabs.  Brants were looking for underwater eel grass eats.
Then I heard, over and over: "Day At Da Beach"!!!  I turned toward the excited calls to find not more than 10 feet in front of me a pair of American Oystercatchers! 
They were so excited, and obviously out on the town, on an important date.  One of the pair scored a juicy something-mollusk and continued their foraging.

Beach Blessings,

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Rusty Rudder Jam Fest

I could not help myself, I just had to drop in on the Rusty Rudder's Jam Fest!
I was there Friday night, only one hour, but it was worth the 40 minute round trip of walking to and fro!
Fondly I call the inside "Club Rudder"...... and found "Analog Anthem" working mayhem on Southern Rock.  
 I sat in front of Stage 2 which was just setting up for "Fiddle Foxx".  Only two guys, no percussion to be found, and only  a keyboard, a fiddle and a banjo set up.  Yet, I had a feeling that this would prove the band performance of the night! 
 I was correct!
Fiddle Foxx must have deep folk and classic roots to pull-off their gig which is outside edgy abstract forms of Hip Hop and Rap wound tight to World Rhythms.
Part of the trick was the vocals used as  percussion sounds! The sound system did it justice!
When Fiddle Foxx offered up Rap to Bosa Nova rhythms the crowd went insane!  The musicians waiting for their slots gathered tight about the stage and the kitchen employees poked their astonished heads around the doorway.
  An unexpected thrilling live music performance: This is when I love Dewey Beach the most!

Beach Blessings,