Category Archives: Quick Hits

Its World Crocodile Day

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Crocodile resting on a riverbank, highlighting the species for World Crocodile Day and its role in wetland ecosystems.

World Crocodile Day

It’s World Crocodile Day, coming right on the heels of World Turtle Day — another reminder that some of Earth’s oldest creatures are fighting for their future.

Crocodiles are incredible animals. They’ve been around since the age of the dinosaurs, surviving the mass extinction that wiped out nearly everything else. A meteor couldn’t take them out… but humans are giving it a pretty good try through habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting.

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter himself, understood them better than most. He once said, “Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you. People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.” He wasn’t wrong.

 

Crocodile Facts

  • Crocodiles can be found in nearly every corner of the world — North and South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia.
  • The Florida Everglades is the only place on Earth where crocodiles and alligators live together.
  • You can tell them apart by their snouts: alligators have broad, rounded snouts, while crocodiles have narrow, pointed ones.
  • Crocodiles tend to be larger. The saltwater crocodile can exceed 20 feet and weigh over 2,000 pounds.
  • Alligators are usually smaller. The American alligator typically reaches 10–15 feet and weighs 500–1,000 pounds.
  • Crocodiles can live in both freshwater and saltwater.
  • There are 15 species worldwide, including Australia’s famous “salties” and the Nile crocodile — found, of course, in the Nile River.

Crocodiles are living dinosaurs, apex predators perfectly adapted to their environments. They deserve the same chance at survival as every other creature sharing this planet.

It’s up to us to protect their habitats, reduce pollution, and ensure these ancient reptiles continue to thrive for generations to come.

Crocodiles survived the dinosaurs’ extinction. They shouldn’t have to survive us!

 

World Sea Turtle Day

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Honoring the Ancient Guardians of the Sea

Sea turtles have been gliding through Earth’s oceans for more than 100 million years — long before humans, long before the continents looked the way they do today. These ancient mariners include seven species: green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and the Olive ridley. The mighty leatherback holds the title of the largest of them all.

Sadly, nearly every species now faces danger. Hawksbills and Kemp’s ridleys sit at the edge of extinction as marine debris, habitat destruction, and poaching continue to threaten their survival.

The Honu, Sacred Turtles of Hawaii

snuba at Turtletown 2020

In Hawaii, people honor sea turtles as sacred beings. Five species live in Hawaiian waters: the green sea turtle (honu), the hawksbill (Honuʻea or ʻea) , the leatherback, the loggerhead, and the Olive Ridley.

Sea turtles are gentle giants, drifting with the currents and living quietly for 50–100 years — unless humans interfere. Their favorite meal is jellyfish, but our plastic addiction has turned the ocean into a minefield. Floating plastic bags look like jellyfish, and when a turtle swallows one, it fills their stomach and blocks real food. The result is slow, heartbreaking starvation.

On World Sea Turtle Day, let’s honor these ancient travelers by protecting the oceans they call home. Reduce plastic use, keep beaches clean, and give sea turtles the space and respect they deserve. The seas belong to them too — and they’ve been here far longer than we have.

 

Images of Our Natural World

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Capturing the Wonder of our Natural World

Yesterday was Nature Photography Day, a celebration for anyone who loves the outdoors and the art of capturing it. Whether your passion is wildlife, landscapes, or the quiet little moments in between, it’s a day to honor the beauty of our natural world.

The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) established the day in 2009 to encourage people to enjoy, appreciate, and photograph nature in all its forms.

I began nature photography as my hobby a number of years ago. Here are some of my earlier efforts.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being out there taking them.

White‑tailed deer with velvet antlers standing in lush green meadow, nature photography

White Tail Deer (South Dakota)

Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Prickly Pear Cactus (Arizona)

Great Blue Heron (Massachusetts)

Painted Desert (Arizona)

Water Lily (Massachusetts)

Queechee Gorge (Vermont)

Moonrise (Florida)

Trumpeter Swan (Massachusetts)

Looking back at these early photos reminds me why I fell in love with nature photography in the first place. Thanks for taking this little trip down memory lane with me.

Golden Tempo Wins Belmont!

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Welcome to Saratoga, NY — known for health, history, and horses. And today’s Belmont Stakes did not disappoint!

Golden Tempo. He did it again — from last place to first in the Belmont Stakes.

For three‑quarters of the race he just loped along at the back, unbothered, unhurried, almost lallygagging. Then he hit the far turn, straightened into the homestretch, and unleashed it. That breathtaking surge — that rocket‑launch from last to first — is why this horse has a grip on my heart.

Golden Tempo surges across the Belmont finish line ahead of his rivals on a dirt track.

 

He didn’t just pass rivals. He blew by them.

Congrats to Golden Tempo and his team.

From underdog to GOAT. You just gotta love this horse.

A Local Gem! Happy National Donut Day!

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🍩 Happy National Donut Day!

Do you know what today is? Not Hump Day — National Donut Day.
And you know what that means: free donuts. Yes, Dunkin’ is handing them out today. Is this a great country or what.

There is one tiny catch: you need to buy a beverage. But honestly… who eats a donut without something to drink?

 

 

⭐ A Donut Lover’s Confession

I’m a true donut fan. If I weren’t on a permanent diet, I’d happily eat one every day — though I doubt it would keep the doctor away. Still, I consider myself a donut connoisseur. I know a good donut when I see one.

And this week? I didn’t just see one.
I came, I saw, I tasted, and I ascended straight to donut nirvana. These donuts were better than my mom’s (sorry, Mom), and hers were legendary.

Where did I find this bliss?
The Colonial Do‑Nut Shop kiosk inside Morton Hospital.

A police officer stands at the counter of the Colonial Do‑Nut Shop kiosk inside Morton Hospital, with staff preparing donuts behind the counter.

Colonial Do‑Nut Shop – Morton Hospital Kiosk

 

 

⭐ Colonial Do‑Nut: A Taunton Classic

Colonial Do‑Nut Shop has been serving Taunton for more than 70 years. The pandemic forced them to close, but they came back strong, reopening under new ownership in 2024.

The flagship shop at 91 Broadway is still right where it’s always been — turning out fresh donuts, crullers, and breakfast sandwiches. Just get there early: they close at noon.

So how did I get mine at Morton Hospital?
When the new owners were preparing to reopen Broadway, the opportunity came up to open a satellite location in the hospital lobby. The donuts are baked fresh on Broadway every morning and delivered to the kiosk.

⭐ The Old Fashioned That Stole My Heart

I’m an “Old Fashioned” girl — plain, crispy outside, tender inside, with a whisper of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg. And these? Hands down the best.

I meant to take a picture, but… well… I started eating it. You understand.

 

 

Happy National Donut Day!
It may not be free at Colonial Do‑Nut, but if you can get there, it will be so worth it.