Category Archives: thornton burgess society

A Shout Out for the Legacy of Thornton Burgess

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Growing up in Hyannis I spent a lot of time in the Hyannis Public Library as a kid and it was there that I discovered the wonderful world of Thornton Burgess. Peter and Mrs. Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Bobby Raccoon, Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog and Reddy Fox soon became wonderful friends in my imagination and helped fuel my ongoing love of nature.

“Old Mother West Wind,” the first published collection of Burgess stories, is 100 years old this year and the Thornton W. Burgess Society in Sandwich has a full calendar of events and exhibits ready to celebrate all year long. You can see the calendar here.
As many of you know I write several weekly nature columns. I also write a monthly column and occasional articles and essays for the Barnstable Patriot. Today they published my essay on Thornton Burgess and you can read it here. (scroll down until you see the illustration)
(the photo was taken by me at the Thornton Burgess Society’s Green Briar Nature Center but is not current)

Babies!

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Look who had their babies this week! Baby ducks are called ducklings and baby geese are goslings. Do you know what baby swans are called?

This lovely family is at the Smiling Pool at the Thornton Burgess Society in East Sandwich. Both the male and female swan look after the little ones. There are many predators in and around the pond that would love to eat a little swan for dinner so the parents are very protective. If a swan hisses or swims toward you, back away! A swan can break a man’s arm if it is angry and close enough. These babies are so little that the parents are bringing them very close to shore to feed. Sometimes you’ll see the parents pulling up greenery from the bottom so the little ones can feed on the surface. In another few weeks the little ones will be able to poke their heads and necks around under the water just like their parents but for now they need a little help.
The family is ready to move on now.