Ed Robinson

Next time you approach a river, get close to the water. Wade in and lean forward as the current tugs at your legs. Listen carefully and you may hear the river singing a sad song, one we are finally heeding.

The black-capped chickadee is our state bird, yet most visitors to Maine hope to see and hear a loon during their stay. Few sounds in nature are more memorable than the distinctive calls of a loon.

I admit the title above is a shameless pun. By playing off the trademarked phrase for the NCAA basketball championships, I am hoping to lure you into reading this column.

I am a hunter. That statement might earn me a dirty look, even a request to leave the party, immediately! Much depends upon the company you keep and where you reside.

It was nearly 50 years ago in Montana's beautiful Glacier National Park. I still carry a vivid image of a magnificent bird gliding on afternoon thermals above an azure lake.

One of the joys of writing about nature is hearing from readers who share stories or ask questions about a species of interest. The most common topic is the white-tailed deer, a familiar creature around Harpswell.

During the winter months, our local population of oceangoing ducks soars as migrants arrive from hundreds or thousands of miles to the north.

September's sun warmed me as I listened to migrating warblers and local birds. Then I heard the soft brush of movement against a spruce tree to my left. Slowly turning, I saw two predators padding down the trail, unaware of my presence.

Pete was lunching along the shore of Cobscook Bay near Lubec, enjoying a fine view. Suddenly he felt a sharp sting, then another. Pete noticed tiny red ants crawling up his legs, clearly with painful intentions. He brushed them off, wondering what triggered the attack.

Summer is a time for traditional activities, including picnics, water sports, camping and stargazing. I fondly recall soft evenings when you could romp in the grass barefoot, playing a late game of tag and begging Mom for ice cream cones or s'mores.