Tiny Birds, Long Flight

Posted on September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 by Dusty Roads | 4 Comments

🐦 Tiny Birds, Long Flight: The Epic Journey of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

Each September, as the goldenrod blooms and the air turns crisp in Massachusetts, a remarkable migration begins. Tiny travelers—ruby-throated hummingbirds—embark on a journey that defies their delicate size. These winged wonders give new meaning to the term “snow birds,” trading New England’s cooling skies for the tropical warmth of Central America. Some will winter as far south as Costa Rica, a feat that’s nothing short of astonishing.

Stock photo

How Tiny are they?

How tiny are they? Picture a penny. Now imagine that coin sprouting iridescent feathers and a heart that beats over 1,200 times per minute. Ruby-throated hummingbirds weigh about the same—just 2.5 to 3 grams. Yet these miniature marvels fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico, a 500-mile stretch of open water, fueled by nectar, grit, and instinct.

photo credit Deb Neumann

At Home in Massachusetts

Massachusetts sees only one species of hummingbird regularly: the ruby-throated hummingbird. Males flash their namesake throat patch like a gemstone in flight, while females sport subtler hues. They arrive in spring, zipping through gardens and feeders, hovering like tiny helicopters. By mid-September, they vanish almost as suddenly as they appeared, riding tailwinds southward in a solo migration that spans thousands of miles.

Wave Bye Bye

Their departure is bittersweet. We miss their aerial acrobatics and the whir of wings that sound like summer itself. But their journey reminds us that even the smallest creatures carry immense strength—and that nature’s rhythms are worth pausing for.

Stock Photo

So if you spot a hummingbird this fall, take a moment. Wish it well on its long flight. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll return next spring to hover once more outside your window, a flash of color and courage in miniature form.

Once more into the breach

Posted on September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 by Dusty Roads

Dover Demon

Once more into the breach, Dear Friends…

Before we put the cryptid mysteries to bed, I have to share the local tale of the Dover Demon. Who knew there were so many creepy creatures to consider? But this one is right here, in good ole Massachusetts.

👁️ The Dover Demon: Massachusetts’ Most Puzzling Cryptid

In the quiet town of Dover, Massachusetts, something strange stirred in the spring of 1977. It wasn’t the wind, or the rustling of leaves, or even the usual teenage mischief. It was something else—something no one could explain. A creature with glowing eyes, spindly limbs, and a head too large for its body. Locals would come to know it as the Dover Demon.

Sightings

The first sighting occurred on April 21st. Seventeen-year-old Bill Bartlett was driving with friends when his headlights caught something crawling along a stone wall. At first, he thought it was a dog—until it turned its head. Two glowing orange eyes stared back at him, set in a hairless, peach-colored head, with skin like wet sandpaper. Its long fingers curled around the rocks as it clung to the wall. Bill’s friends didn’t see it, but he swore it was real—and even sketched it later that night.

Just hours later, John Baxter, 15, encountered a similar figure while walking home. He called out to it, thinking it was a friend. The creature didn’t respond. Instead, it bolted into the woods, its movements unnatural, its silhouette barely human.

The next night, Abby Brabham saw it too—perched near a tree, glowing eyes fixed on her. Three sightings. Three different witnesses. All describing the same eerie entity.

THE DOVER DEMON Is Back! | Hunter Shea

Vanished

And then… nothing. No footprints… fur?… bones?… Just stories. The Dover Demon vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind only questions.

Was it a cryptid? An alien? A figment of teenage imagination? Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, who coined the name, believes it’s one of the most unique cases in American folklore. Unlike Bigfoot or the Mothman, the Demon appeared only once, never to return.

But in Dover, whispers still linger. Some say it’s watching. Waiting. And if you drive those winding roads late at night, maybe—just maybe—you’ll see those glowing eyes staring back.

🐾 Happy 117th Birthday, Cartoons!

Posted on August 17, 2025August 17, 2025 by Dusty Roads | 3 Comments

🐾 Happy 117th Birthday, Cartoons! A Wild Tribute to Our Animated Ancestors

Today marks 117 years since the first cartoon blinked its way onto the screen—and honestly, it’s hard to imagine a world without animated animals teaching us life lessons, falling off cliffs, and bouncing back with nothing but a band-aid and a witty comeback.

Let’s rewind to 1908, when Émile Cohl’s Fantasmagorie danced into existence. It was a surreal, scribbly spectacle—like watching a doodle come to life after too much coffee and not enough sleep. No color, no sound, just pure chaotic charm. And thus, the cartoon was born.

File:Fantasmagorie (Cohl).GIF - Wikipedia

🦝 Nature’s Original Animators

Before cartoons, nature had its own animation studio. Ever watched a squirrel try to carry a baguette twice its size? Or a raccoon dramatically rinse its food like it’s prepping for a Michelin-starred meal? These are the original slapstick comedians. Cartoons just gave them a voice—and occasionally, pants.

August 2017 – photo credit Deb Neumann

In fact, if you squint at a hummingbird long enough, you’ll swear it’s animated. The flurry of wings, the impossible hover, the dramatic zoom-ins on nectar—it’s basically Looney Tunes with feathers.

2017 – phots credit Deb Neumann

🎨 From Flipbooks to Streaming Binge-fests

Wile E, Coyote

Cartoons have evolved from jittery line drawings to full-blown cinematic universes. But the heart of it remains the same: exaggerated expressions, improbable physics, and a deep commitment to making us laugh, cry, and question the laws of gravity.

Whether it’s a wisecracking meerkat, a lovesick skunk, or a sponge who lives in a pineapple (under the sea, no less), cartoons remind us that storytelling doesn’t need realism—it needs rhythm, heart, and a dash of absurdity.

Cape Cod Seal- August 2013 photo credit Deb Neumann

🌿 Why Cartoons Still Matter on Around Dusty Roads

Here at Around Dusty Roads, we celebrate the whimsical, the wild, and the wonderfully weird. Cartoons are kindred spirits—bold, expressive, and unafraid to leap off cliffs in pursuit of a punchline. They teach us that imagination is a survival skill, and that sometimes, the best way to understand the world is through a talking animal with impeccable comedic timing.

So today, raise a toast (or a carrot, Bugs-style) to 117 years of animated antics. May your day be filled with laughter, loony logic, and maybe a raccoon reenacting Fantasmagorie in your backyard.

15,300+ Cartoon Raccoon Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

Sharks, Seals, and Sea Serpents

Posted on August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 by Dusty Roads

🦈 Cape Cod’s August Secrets: Sharks, Seals, and Sea Serpents

August on Cape Cod is a paradox—sun-drenched beaches and salt-kissed breezes above, and a world of mystery swirling just beneath the waves. While vacationers flock to the shore for lobster rolls and lighthouses, the Atlantic is busy hosting its own seasonal spectacle. Let’s dive into the secrets that stir beneath the surface.

Chatham Fish Market Aug 2011- photo credit Deb Neumann

🐟 The Real Stars of Summer: Seals and Sharks

Cape Cod’s seal population booms in late summer, especially around Monomoy Island and Chatham. These sleek swimmers lounge like sunbathers on sandbars, drawing both admiration and attention—from above and below.

Seals of Monomoy Island photo credit Deb Neumann

Enter the great white sharks.

Extreme close up of Great White Shark looking directly at camera smiling Extreme close up of Great White Shark looking directly at camera smiling young great white shark stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Photo credit internet

August is peak season for these apex predators, who follow the seal buffet with precision. Thanks to tagging efforts by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, we now know just how active these visitors are. Shark sightings have become so common that beachgoers check tracking apps as often as the weather.

A book about Cape Cod sharks and Greg Skomal's career ...

Dr. Greg Skomel tagging a great white- photo internet

But fear not—shark safety protocols are strong, and most encounters are nothing more than a fin in the distance.

Paddleboarder and shark 7/4/25 Cape Cod – photo credit Madeline Cronin

Still, there’s something thrilling about knowing you’re sharing the sea with legends.

🌊 The Lore Beneath: Sea Serpents and Saltwater Whispers

Long before GPS and GoPros, Cape Codders told tales of serpentine creatures gliding through the fog. From the 1800s onward, reports of undulating beasts off Provincetown and Nantucket stirred imaginations. Some described them as eel-like with horse heads; others swore they saw coils the size of schooners.

Are they misidentified whales? Overzealous oarfish? Or something more cryptic?

A 'sea serpent' is seen lurking off Cape Cod. But some have ...

Meanwhile off Cape Cod

While science leans toward skepticism, the stories persist—passed down like seashells from one generation to the next. And isn’t that part of the magic? That the sea still holds secrets we haven’t quite solved.

🐚 August’s Invitation

Cape Cod in August is more than a postcard—it’s a living story. Whether you’re scanning the horizon for dorsal fins, watching seals bob like buoys, or wondering what might lurk in the deep, this month invites curiosity.

So pack your binoculars, your sunscreen, and maybe a pinch of imagination. The coast is calling—and it has stories to tell.

photo credit Deb Neumann

Shark Season on Cape Cod

Posted on August 1, 2025August 1, 2025 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

🦈 Shark Season on Cape Cod: Staying Shark Smart with Sharktivity

Cape Cod’s pristine beaches and rich marine life make it a summer haven—but beneath the waves, another iconic visitor returns each year: the great white shark. This year the Great Whites have been joined by the relatives, the hammerheads. Its a real family reunion.

Hammerhead shark Cape Cod sighting – NBC Boston

NBC Boston photo

As sightings increase along the Massachusetts coastline, locals and tourists alike are turning to technology and science to stay informed and safe.

🌊 A Surge in Shark Sighting

This summer, shark activity near Cape Cod has been especially lively. From Chatham to Wellfleet, confirmed sightings of great white sharks have occurred just yards from shore. On July 16, a 14-foot white shark was spotted in Cape Cod Bay. Other reports include sharks devouring striped bass near fishing boats and swimming within 50 feet of popular beaches.

Massachusetts beaches shut down after great white shark ...

NBC Boston photo

These sightings aren’t random. Cape Cod’s seal population—prime prey for white sharks—has grown significantly, drawing these apex predators closer to shore. While the presence of sharks may sound alarming, it’s also a sign of a thriving marine ecosystem.

Seal colony Cape Cod. Photo credit Deb Neumann

📱 Sharktivity: Your Shark Tracker Companion

To help the public stay informed, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) developed the Sharktivity app, a free tool available on iOS and Android. The app offers:

Real-time alerts for confirmed shark sightings near public beaches (red icon)
Interactive maps showing recent and historic shark activity
User-submitted sightings with photo verification
Tracking of tagged sharks via acoustic and satellite data

Whether you’re planning a beach day or just curious about shark movements, Sharktivity empowers users to make informed decisions and contribute to ongoing research. Download the app here.

🧠 Meet the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Founded in 2013, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is a nonprofit based in Chatham, MA, dedicated to shark research, public safety, and education. Their work includes:

Funding scientific studies led by marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal
Operating the Shark Centers Chatham and Provincetown, interactive museums with exhibits, videos, and educational programs for all ages
Hosting lectures, events, and expeditions to deepen public understanding of white sharks

The Conservancy’s mission is clear: to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and sharks while promoting conservation of these misunderstood creatures.

Deb Neuman & Greg Skomal 2019

Category Archives: Massachusetts

Tiny Birds, Long Flight