A patchwork of green, yellow and brown cover a landscape surrounded by large swaths of silvery blue glinting like a mirror for the sun; ribbons of jade and teal weave through clusters of lush green groves; and quaint towns where life is slow and easy offer fountains and flower gardens by which to rest… it’s Kent County, Maryland from a bird’s-eye view. With a landscape this inviting, it’s no wonder that the area is a haven for birds, waterfowl and butterflies. From wooded to wetland, agricultural to pelagic, Kent County’s variety of ecosystems offer both migratory and resident birds prime habitats for respite or long-term stays, and those year-round accommodations means it’s a major destination for birding enthusiasts, too. As of spring 2019, the Maryland Ornithological Society listed 453 species of birds in Maryland (315 in Kent County alone) with another 20 listed as subspecies or species of questionable or exotic origin. That’s nearly half of the 1100-or-so species re
A collection of writing samples by Lesley Kontowicz