Sable Island Institute
@sable-institute.bsky.social
The SII's goal is to bring the natural and cultural values and legacy of Sable Island to the public through programs of research, conservation, and education.
We are a registered charity. For more information visit our website at: sableislandinstitute.org
We are a registered charity. For more information visit our website at: sableislandinstitute.org
1/4🧵: Half a Blue Lobster Found This Fall 🌎🌿 🦑 #NorthAtlantic #Atlanticcanada #bluelobster
Since 2008, the remains of five blue lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been found on Sable Island. None were complete specimens – most (like this one) were missing parts. Some might have been scavenged …
Since 2008, the remains of five blue lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been found on Sable Island. None were complete specimens – most (like this one) were missing parts. Some might have been scavenged …
November 29, 2025 at 12:06 AM
1/4🧵: Half a Blue Lobster Found This Fall 🌎🌿 🦑 #NorthAtlantic #Atlanticcanada #bluelobster
Since 2008, the remains of five blue lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been found on Sable Island. None were complete specimens – most (like this one) were missing parts. Some might have been scavenged …
Since 2008, the remains of five blue lobsters (Homarus americanus) have been found on Sable Island. None were complete specimens – most (like this one) were missing parts. Some might have been scavenged …
1/2🧵: Strawberry Washing Ashore 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #beachsurvey #washedashore
A deflated but huge Mylar/foil balloon shaped & coloured like a strawberry washing ashore on the north beach. It was collected & disposed of, but if it had been on the beach for a while, the sand would have scraped away …
A deflated but huge Mylar/foil balloon shaped & coloured like a strawberry washing ashore on the north beach. It was collected & disposed of, but if it had been on the beach for a while, the sand would have scraped away …
November 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
1/2🧵: Strawberry Washing Ashore 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #beachsurvey #washedashore
A deflated but huge Mylar/foil balloon shaped & coloured like a strawberry washing ashore on the north beach. It was collected & disposed of, but if it had been on the beach for a while, the sand would have scraped away …
A deflated but huge Mylar/foil balloon shaped & coloured like a strawberry washing ashore on the north beach. It was collected & disposed of, but if it had been on the beach for a while, the sand would have scraped away …
2/5: … & tangled with knots of ribbon. Balloons – deliberately or accidentally released - are carried to #SableIsland by wind & water. Sometimes, if they are still partly inflated, they'll tumble over the dunes & end up in vegetated inland areas or in freshwater ponds. Like balloons found …
November 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM
2/5: … & tangled with knots of ribbon. Balloons – deliberately or accidentally released - are carried to #SableIsland by wind & water. Sometimes, if they are still partly inflated, they'll tumble over the dunes & end up in vegetated inland areas or in freshwater ponds. Like balloons found …
1/5🧵: Beached Balloon Debris 🌎 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #beacheddebris #beachedplastics
During the last #beachsurvey, a glimpse of white ribbon & edges of a plastic balloon in the sand indicated more beneath the surface - a dozen foil &/or Mylar balloons & about 30 latex balloons, all deflated..
During the last #beachsurvey, a glimpse of white ribbon & edges of a plastic balloon in the sand indicated more beneath the surface - a dozen foil &/or Mylar balloons & about 30 latex balloons, all deflated..
November 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM
1/5🧵: Beached Balloon Debris 🌎 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #beacheddebris #beachedplastics
During the last #beachsurvey, a glimpse of white ribbon & edges of a plastic balloon in the sand indicated more beneath the surface - a dozen foil &/or Mylar balloons & about 30 latex balloons, all deflated..
During the last #beachsurvey, a glimpse of white ribbon & edges of a plastic balloon in the sand indicated more beneath the surface - a dozen foil &/or Mylar balloons & about 30 latex balloons, all deflated..
4/5: … on the Sandy Plain. During her first few days, Rose Morrison, Sable's first #ArtistinResidence, visited the site as she got her bearings on the island. There were no injuries or loss of life or fuel spills associated with the wreck, but some Merrimac mystery remains. @rosemorrisonmusic …
November 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM
4/5: … on the Sandy Plain. During her first few days, Rose Morrison, Sable's first #ArtistinResidence, visited the site as she got her bearings on the island. There were no injuries or loss of life or fuel spills associated with the wreck, but some Merrimac mystery remains. @rosemorrisonmusic …
1/5🧵: Visiting a Shipwreck 🌎 🚢 🇨🇦 #NorthAtlantic #GraveyardoftheAtlantic #sailboat #buriedinsand #lifesavingstation #MeteorologicalService
On July 27, 1999, a few hours past midnight, a 12-metre fibreglass #yacht, Merrimac, ran aground on the south side of #SableIsland ….
On July 27, 1999, a few hours past midnight, a 12-metre fibreglass #yacht, Merrimac, ran aground on the south side of #SableIsland ….
November 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM
1/5🧵: Visiting a Shipwreck 🌎 🚢 🇨🇦 #NorthAtlantic #GraveyardoftheAtlantic #sailboat #buriedinsand #lifesavingstation #MeteorologicalService
On July 27, 1999, a few hours past midnight, a 12-metre fibreglass #yacht, Merrimac, ran aground on the south side of #SableIsland ….
On July 27, 1999, a few hours past midnight, a 12-metre fibreglass #yacht, Merrimac, ran aground on the south side of #SableIsland ….
3/4: … The shrub with bright red berries is Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a species of holly that is native to eastern North America, in Canada from Newfoundland west to Ontario. It is common on the island. #Flora #floraofnovascotia
Photos Zoe Lucas….
Photos Zoe Lucas….
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
3/4: … The shrub with bright red berries is Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a species of holly that is native to eastern North America, in Canada from Newfoundland west to Ontario. It is common on the island. #Flora #floraofnovascotia
Photos Zoe Lucas….
Photos Zoe Lucas….
2/4: … and golden leaves are Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum, formerly called Smilacina stellata), native in North America and found across Canada. This species was once classified in the lily family, but modern taxonomic classification has moved it to the asparagus family….
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
2/4: … and golden leaves are Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum, formerly called Smilacina stellata), native in North America and found across Canada. This species was once classified in the lily family, but modern taxonomic classification has moved it to the asparagus family….
1/4🧵: Fall Colours on Sable Island. 🌎🌿 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #November #fallcolours #autumncolours #botany
As the leaves of marram grass turn yellow, many other plants contribute to the fall colours here, flickering & gleaming in the sunshine.
The dark wine-red berries ….
As the leaves of marram grass turn yellow, many other plants contribute to the fall colours here, flickering & gleaming in the sunshine.
The dark wine-red berries ….
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
1/4🧵: Fall Colours on Sable Island. 🌎🌿 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #November #fallcolours #autumncolours #botany
As the leaves of marram grass turn yellow, many other plants contribute to the fall colours here, flickering & gleaming in the sunshine.
The dark wine-red berries ….
As the leaves of marram grass turn yellow, many other plants contribute to the fall colours here, flickering & gleaming in the sunshine.
The dark wine-red berries ….
1/2🧵: A Belly Scratch. 🌎🌿 #SableIsland #SableIslandwx #NSwx #wildhorses #wildhorsesofSable
Today was pleasant with a light SW breeze of 5-10 kts, & a max temp of 8.4°C. A band stallion, strolling eastward, stopped at driftwood tree trunk on the north beach for a general scratching session – legs, …
Today was pleasant with a light SW breeze of 5-10 kts, & a max temp of 8.4°C. A band stallion, strolling eastward, stopped at driftwood tree trunk on the north beach for a general scratching session – legs, …
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 AM
1/2🧵: A Belly Scratch. 🌎🌿 #SableIsland #SableIslandwx #NSwx #wildhorses #wildhorsesofSable
Today was pleasant with a light SW breeze of 5-10 kts, & a max temp of 8.4°C. A band stallion, strolling eastward, stopped at driftwood tree trunk on the north beach for a general scratching session – legs, …
Today was pleasant with a light SW breeze of 5-10 kts, & a max temp of 8.4°C. A band stallion, strolling eastward, stopped at driftwood tree trunk on the north beach for a general scratching session – legs, …
1/5🧵: House at West Light, Sable Island.🌎 🧪 🇨🇦 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic
A photo taken during the calm of November 20 when there was barely enough breeze to ripple the surface of the freshwater pond.
Although now known as the BIO House, this was originally the lightkeeper’s residence….
A photo taken during the calm of November 20 when there was barely enough breeze to ripple the surface of the freshwater pond.
Although now known as the BIO House, this was originally the lightkeeper’s residence….
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
1/5🧵: House at West Light, Sable Island.🌎 🧪 🇨🇦 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic
A photo taken during the calm of November 20 when there was barely enough breeze to ripple the surface of the freshwater pond.
Although now known as the BIO House, this was originally the lightkeeper’s residence….
A photo taken during the calm of November 20 when there was barely enough breeze to ripple the surface of the freshwater pond.
Although now known as the BIO House, this was originally the lightkeeper’s residence….
2/3: … With less water on the beach & lighter winds, the flow looks less like turbulent rapids & more like a gently rippling stream. For now, until the next storm. #storm #beachflooding
Photos Zoe Lucas. …
Photos Zoe Lucas. …
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 AM
2/3: … With less water on the beach & lighter winds, the flow looks less like turbulent rapids & more like a gently rippling stream. For now, until the next storm. #storm #beachflooding
Photos Zoe Lucas. …
Photos Zoe Lucas. …
1/3🧵: Floodwater and the Stream. 🌎 #SableIslandwx #NSwx
A cool, sunny day on #SableIsland with max temp 7.1°C & NW wind of 20-25 kts. South beach is still flooded, but the water is not as deep & extensive as it was, & is still draining off through the cut at the eastern end of the Sandy Plain….
A cool, sunny day on #SableIsland with max temp 7.1°C & NW wind of 20-25 kts. South beach is still flooded, but the water is not as deep & extensive as it was, & is still draining off through the cut at the eastern end of the Sandy Plain….
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 AM
1/3🧵: Floodwater and the Stream. 🌎 #SableIslandwx #NSwx
A cool, sunny day on #SableIsland with max temp 7.1°C & NW wind of 20-25 kts. South beach is still flooded, but the water is not as deep & extensive as it was, & is still draining off through the cut at the eastern end of the Sandy Plain….
A cool, sunny day on #SableIsland with max temp 7.1°C & NW wind of 20-25 kts. South beach is still flooded, but the water is not as deep & extensive as it was, & is still draining off through the cut at the eastern end of the Sandy Plain….
4/4: … the freshwater ponds near West Light.
The second photo shows horses gathered in the West Spit waterhole area. #sableislandnpr #parkscanada
Photos Zoe Lucas.
For more about Sable Island: sableislandinstitute.org
The second photo shows horses gathered in the West Spit waterhole area. #sableislandnpr #parkscanada
Photos Zoe Lucas.
For more about Sable Island: sableislandinstitute.org
November 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
4/4: … the freshwater ponds near West Light.
The second photo shows horses gathered in the West Spit waterhole area. #sableislandnpr #parkscanada
Photos Zoe Lucas.
For more about Sable Island: sableislandinstitute.org
The second photo shows horses gathered in the West Spit waterhole area. #sableislandnpr #parkscanada
Photos Zoe Lucas.
For more about Sable Island: sableislandinstitute.org
3/4: …Although marram & beach pea are primary forages for the horses, they feed on many other plants.
The first photo shows horses (28 visible) grazing in the broad grassy fields on the West Spit. Depending on the season, they can drink at the waterhole area on the spit or trek eastward to …
The first photo shows horses (28 visible) grazing in the broad grassy fields on the West Spit. Depending on the season, they can drink at the waterhole area on the spit or trek eastward to …
November 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
3/4: …Although marram & beach pea are primary forages for the horses, they feed on many other plants.
The first photo shows horses (28 visible) grazing in the broad grassy fields on the West Spit. Depending on the season, they can drink at the waterhole area on the spit or trek eastward to …
The first photo shows horses (28 visible) grazing in the broad grassy fields on the West Spit. Depending on the season, they can drink at the waterhole area on the spit or trek eastward to …
1/4🧵: Sable Island Horses on the West Spit.🌎🌿 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #wildhorses #wildhorsesofSable
Although photos of bare sand, bald dunes, & floodwater, might, to some, suggest a bleak landscape for horses, there are abundant areas of vegetated terrain. Plant communities include sheltered …
Although photos of bare sand, bald dunes, & floodwater, might, to some, suggest a bleak landscape for horses, there are abundant areas of vegetated terrain. Plant communities include sheltered …
November 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
1/4🧵: Sable Island Horses on the West Spit.🌎🌿 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #wildhorses #wildhorsesofSable
Although photos of bare sand, bald dunes, & floodwater, might, to some, suggest a bleak landscape for horses, there are abundant areas of vegetated terrain. Plant communities include sheltered …
Although photos of bare sand, bald dunes, & floodwater, might, to some, suggest a bleak landscape for horses, there are abundant areas of vegetated terrain. Plant communities include sheltered …
1/2🧵: A Calm in November. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx #lighttower
Yesterday, with a clear blue sky, a max temp of 9.1°C , & a NW breeze of only 6-8 kts, it felt like a calm day in late summer on #SableIsland. By mid afternoon clouds began moving across the island, but the wind didn’t …
Yesterday, with a clear blue sky, a max temp of 9.1°C , & a NW breeze of only 6-8 kts, it felt like a calm day in late summer on #SableIsland. By mid afternoon clouds began moving across the island, but the wind didn’t …
November 22, 2025 at 12:30 AM
1/2🧵: A Calm in November. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx #lighttower
Yesterday, with a clear blue sky, a max temp of 9.1°C , & a NW breeze of only 6-8 kts, it felt like a calm day in late summer on #SableIsland. By mid afternoon clouds began moving across the island, but the wind didn’t …
Yesterday, with a clear blue sky, a max temp of 9.1°C , & a NW breeze of only 6-8 kts, it felt like a calm day in late summer on #SableIsland. By mid afternoon clouds began moving across the island, but the wind didn’t …
Sand Patterns on North Beach.
The high winds constantly sculpt Sable Island’s sand into large and dramatic drifts and ridges, but they also create finer effects such as the countless ripples that look like wind-driven waves of sand flowing across the flat, bare areas of beach.
Photo Zoe Lucas.
The high winds constantly sculpt Sable Island’s sand into large and dramatic drifts and ridges, but they also create finer effects such as the countless ripples that look like wind-driven waves of sand flowing across the flat, bare areas of beach.
Photo Zoe Lucas.
November 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Sand Patterns on North Beach.
The high winds constantly sculpt Sable Island’s sand into large and dramatic drifts and ridges, but they also create finer effects such as the countless ripples that look like wind-driven waves of sand flowing across the flat, bare areas of beach.
Photo Zoe Lucas.
The high winds constantly sculpt Sable Island’s sand into large and dramatic drifts and ridges, but they also create finer effects such as the countless ripples that look like wind-driven waves of sand flowing across the flat, bare areas of beach.
Photo Zoe Lucas.
1/2🧵: Bald Dune & One Horse
This massive hill of unvegetated sand is a #wanderingdune, slowly migrating across #SableIsland as windblown sand is moved from its north side to the south. It’s more complicated, but that’s the general idea. Most of the time the dune has a huge, smooth top. But with the…
This massive hill of unvegetated sand is a #wanderingdune, slowly migrating across #SableIsland as windblown sand is moved from its north side to the south. It’s more complicated, but that’s the general idea. Most of the time the dune has a huge, smooth top. But with the…
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
1/2🧵: Bald Dune & One Horse
This massive hill of unvegetated sand is a #wanderingdune, slowly migrating across #SableIsland as windblown sand is moved from its north side to the south. It’s more complicated, but that’s the general idea. Most of the time the dune has a huge, smooth top. But with the…
This massive hill of unvegetated sand is a #wanderingdune, slowly migrating across #SableIsland as windblown sand is moved from its north side to the south. It’s more complicated, but that’s the general idea. Most of the time the dune has a huge, smooth top. But with the…
4/4: … with the response of the rusty, sandblasted metal, storm waves washed over the berm & the carrier was surrounded by ocean floodwater on the south beach.
Photos Zoe Lucas. #rosemorrisonmusic #SableIsland #floodedbeach
#sableislandnpr #parkscanada
#sableislandnationalparkreserve
Photos Zoe Lucas. #rosemorrisonmusic #SableIsland #floodedbeach
#sableislandnpr #parkscanada
#sableislandnationalparkreserve
November 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM
4/4: … with the response of the rusty, sandblasted metal, storm waves washed over the berm & the carrier was surrounded by ocean floodwater on the south beach.
Photos Zoe Lucas. #rosemorrisonmusic #SableIsland #floodedbeach
#sableislandnpr #parkscanada
#sableislandnationalparkreserve
Photos Zoe Lucas. #rosemorrisonmusic #SableIsland #floodedbeach
#sableislandnpr #parkscanada
#sableislandnationalparkreserve
2/4: …on the rusted & half-buried remains of a Bren Gun Carrier – a lightly armoured, tracked vehicle used during World War II. It was not in service on Sable during the war, but was brought to the island in the late 1940s, & used to haul wagons & lifeboats, & move heavy loads, to speed up work…
November 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM
2/4: …on the rusted & half-buried remains of a Bren Gun Carrier – a lightly armoured, tracked vehicle used during World War II. It was not in service on Sable during the war, but was brought to the island in the late 1940s, & used to haul wagons & lifeboats, & move heavy loads, to speed up work…
1/4🧵: Bren Gun Carrier and a Snippet of History. 🌎 🐡 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #sciart #WWII #history
While on the island, Rose Morrison, Sable’s first #ArtisinResidence, explored the sounds of both natural & human artifacts & materials. Here she listens to the tones created as she rapped ….
While on the island, Rose Morrison, Sable’s first #ArtisinResidence, explored the sounds of both natural & human artifacts & materials. Here she listens to the tones created as she rapped ….
November 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM
1/4🧵: Bren Gun Carrier and a Snippet of History. 🌎 🐡 #SableIsland #NorthAtlantic #sciart #WWII #history
While on the island, Rose Morrison, Sable’s first #ArtisinResidence, explored the sounds of both natural & human artifacts & materials. Here she listens to the tones created as she rapped ….
While on the island, Rose Morrison, Sable’s first #ArtisinResidence, explored the sounds of both natural & human artifacts & materials. Here she listens to the tones created as she rapped ….
1/4🧵: Sable Island Harbour Seal. 🌎🌿 #SableIslandnpr #NorthAtlantic
#beachsurvey #HarbourSeals
Yesterday, the survey was paused for a lone Harbour seal who had been snoozing about 30 m away from the sea's edge. (The water in the background is an area of shallow flooding from the last storm.) …
#beachsurvey #HarbourSeals
Yesterday, the survey was paused for a lone Harbour seal who had been snoozing about 30 m away from the sea's edge. (The water in the background is an area of shallow flooding from the last storm.) …
November 17, 2025 at 1:30 AM
1/4🧵: Sable Island Harbour Seal. 🌎🌿 #SableIslandnpr #NorthAtlantic
#beachsurvey #HarbourSeals
Yesterday, the survey was paused for a lone Harbour seal who had been snoozing about 30 m away from the sea's edge. (The water in the background is an area of shallow flooding from the last storm.) …
#beachsurvey #HarbourSeals
Yesterday, the survey was paused for a lone Harbour seal who had been snoozing about 30 m away from the sea's edge. (The water in the background is an area of shallow flooding from the last storm.) …
1/2🧵: Autumn Afternoon. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx
With a NW wind gusting to 23 kts, heavy, broken cloud, & a max temp of 6.2°C, today was the chilliest so far this fall. A family band of four Sable Island horses stand resting in a marram field. Although the lower parts of the leaves …
With a NW wind gusting to 23 kts, heavy, broken cloud, & a max temp of 6.2°C, today was the chilliest so far this fall. A family band of four Sable Island horses stand resting in a marram field. Although the lower parts of the leaves …
November 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
1/2🧵: Autumn Afternoon. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx
With a NW wind gusting to 23 kts, heavy, broken cloud, & a max temp of 6.2°C, today was the chilliest so far this fall. A family band of four Sable Island horses stand resting in a marram field. Although the lower parts of the leaves …
With a NW wind gusting to 23 kts, heavy, broken cloud, & a max temp of 6.2°C, today was the chilliest so far this fall. A family band of four Sable Island horses stand resting in a marram field. Although the lower parts of the leaves …
1/2🧵: Sable Island Rainbow. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx
With a SW wind gusting to 28 kts, a max temp of 9.7°C, towering white clouds & occasional light showers, yesterday was a fine day to begin a survey on south beach.
At 9:45 am, during a bright burst of rain, a full #rainbow developed…
With a SW wind gusting to 28 kts, a max temp of 9.7°C, towering white clouds & occasional light showers, yesterday was a fine day to begin a survey on south beach.
At 9:45 am, during a bright burst of rain, a full #rainbow developed…
November 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
1/2🧵: Sable Island Rainbow. 🌎 #NorthAtlantic #SableIslandwx #NSwx
With a SW wind gusting to 28 kts, a max temp of 9.7°C, towering white clouds & occasional light showers, yesterday was a fine day to begin a survey on south beach.
At 9:45 am, during a bright burst of rain, a full #rainbow developed…
With a SW wind gusting to 28 kts, a max temp of 9.7°C, towering white clouds & occasional light showers, yesterday was a fine day to begin a survey on south beach.
At 9:45 am, during a bright burst of rain, a full #rainbow developed…