Outdoors

Bluefish are largely underappreciated, but the tide may be turning as people realize that not only are they one of the toughest fighting fish around but also a treat to eat, especially when smoked.

Lovers of the oceans and the life within them have just a few days left to experience "Science and the Sea," an exhibition of photographs by the marine scientist and explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks at the Montauk Lighthouse Oceans Institute that is but a glimpse into the life of an inveterate adventurer, an academic scientist turned storyteller whose career on a given day may see her swimming with blue sharks off Montauk, or hammerheads in the Bahamas, or 45-ton sperm whales off the island of Dominica.

I've had to be towed only in once in my life. It happened about 15 years ago when I broke down about two miles south of Orient Point in Gardiner's Bay.

We are getting close to August and it's clear that the fishing scene has shifted into full summer mode. The summer menu of fish includes everything from wahoo to swordfish, codfish to red hake, as well as dozens of other fish in between.

Ask any bayman, and all would agree that the bay scallop fishery in the Peconic Bay estuary system in the past two years was a total calamity. As such, it was no surprise to learn that the United States Department of Commerce recently declared the events of 2019-20 a fishery disaster. 

Rarely a week goes by when I don't receive a question from friends or readers about what to look for when buying fish. It's really a rather basic question to answer. Read on . . .

The three-day Memorial Day weekend northeaster that brought about rough seas and winds up to 40 miles per hour was nasty on many fronts. 

It is that time of year again here on the East End of Long Island, when the phones in doctors' offices start to ring seemingly constantly with patients calling with questions about tick bites.

Concerned Citizens of Montauk, joined by almost 40 volunteers, installed approximately 3,000 square feet of floating wetlands in Fort Pond. As the plants mature, their roots will take in excess nitrogen and phosphorus as food to reduce the nutrient load in the water.

Those who enjoy nature can take advantage of several upcoming adventures, from full-on hikes to shoreline walks.

Hiking enthusiasts on the East End — or day-tripping trekkers from just about anywhere else — will no doubt appreciate these upcoming local hikes.

It's that time of year when the trees, plants, and flowers start blooming into color, with warmer temperatures that make shoreline walks increasingly more pleasant. Looking ahead to May 8, here are some hikes and walks in which to enjoy the outdoors.

At 9 a.m., the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt has a three-mile hike planned at Little Long Pond from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dai Dayton will lead the hike, which will start at the Friends' Greenbelt Nature Center at 1061 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. She can be contacted at 631-745-0689.