Tag: Nantucket Nature

Sandy hiking trail winding through the Shawkemo Highlands on Nantucket.
Island Science

A Hike through the Shawkemo Highlands

As we come into September, those of us lucky enough to stay on Nantucket begin reclaiming some of our favorite spots. I walk every morning with my high energy dogs, and I pick and choose places to walk based partially on the fact that I want to go where there are few people and other dogs. I also get bored easily, so I try to mix up these walks, try new places or visit trails at different times of the year. One of our favorite trails is the Shawkemo Highlands. I’ve always called them Shawkemo Hills, but recently the Nantucket Land Bank put new signage at the trailhead with the “Highlands” label, and that moniker fits.

Rain falling outside a window overlooking a Nantucket garden.
An Island Point of View

Taking Time to Notice the Rain

I woke this morning borderline astonished that the coffee maker had done exactly what it was supposed to do.

This is not particularly impressive technology. A timer, some water, ground coffee, a heating element. Humanity has accomplished greater things. But there it was at five in the morning, a pot of coffee already made, and with it something I hadn’t quite expected… twenty minutes I would ordinarily have spent making it myself. I took the coffee and sat down.

Nantucket firefly on a leaf
Island Science

Summer Lightning: Fireflies

This week we’re all about fireworks on-island. We jockey for the best spot and hope the fog that typically coats the Gray Lady takes a break for the festivities. If you look a little closer at the edges of fields and forests this time of year, you might be treated to your own personal light show in nature. We’re talking about fireflies!

Pink lady’s slipper orchid blooming on Nantucket trail edge
Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

Pink Ladies of Nantucket

Right now is the perfect time to go on a hunt for one of Nantucket nature’s treasured beauties, the pink lady’s slipper orchid.

The pink lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) is Nantucket’s most popular orchid (or the one most often seen), likely because it is hard to miss when in bloom. As the name suggests, the bloom resembles a small, pink ballet slipper fit for a squirrel. This orchid is locally common with each plant growing a single f lower. These individual f lowers tend to grow in clusters, so where you see one, you may see several. This grouping lends itself to magical thinking, imagining a dancing troupe of forest creatures. And while this isn’t a fairy tale, there is something magical about orchids and where they grow. It’s nearly impossible to duplicate the conditions necessary to cultivate these lady slippers. That’s why seeing them in the wild along a trail can feel so special.

Nantucket Shadbush blooming along island coastal habitat
Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

A Special Plant with a Great Name

by Dr. Sarah Treanor Bois, PhDDirector of Research & Conservation at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation Nantucket is home to many rare plant species, but few bear its name. Nantucket Shadbush (Amelanchier nantucketensis) is a globally-rare shrub that was once thought to be limited to our island. This small shrub […]