NEW SHORT FILM: BUFFLEHEAD KERFUFFLE

Male female bufflehead courtship kimsmithdesigns.com 2016Bufflehead Kerfuffle

The smallest, and I think most would agree, among the cutest North American sea ducks, every autumn Buffleheads arrive on the shores of Cape Ann after having journeyed many thousands of miles from their summer breeding grounds in the Canadian boreal forests. They are seen in twos or in small groups and unlike most ducks, are monogamous. Some males begin courting very early in the season as demonstrated in the flock currently residing on Cape Ann however, the birds will not pair until spring.

When out for a walk along shore and pond, you may notice a great deal of bufflehead kerfuffling taking place. The male’s courtship displays are wonderfully exuberant, with much head pumping, chest thrusting, and aggressive flying. The male goes so far as to exaggerate the size of his head by puffing out his bushy crest. Occasionally, the males chase females, but most of the chasing is directed towards other males in territorial displays, which are accomplished by both flying and skidding across the water as well as via underwater chasing. The female encourages her suitor vocally and with a less animated head pumping motion.

Male female bufflehead Massachusetts kimsmithdesigns.com 2016

Female Bufflehead, left and male Bufflehead, right

Buffleheads are diving ducks, finding nourishment on Cape Ann on small sea creatures and pond grasses, as well as seed heads at the shoreline’s edge.

By the early twentieth century Buffleheads were nearing extinction due to over hunting. Their numbers have increased although now their greatest threat is loss of habitat stemming from deforestation in the boreal forests and aspen parklands of Canada.

The word bufflehead is a corruption of buffalo-head, called as such because of their disproportionately large and bulbous head. Buffleheads are a joy to watch and are seen all around Cape Ann throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. Their old-fashioned name, “Butterball,” aptly describes these handsome and welcome winter migrants!

https://vimeo.com/157176701

Listen for the Buffleheads mating vocalizations. The Bufflehead courtship scenes were filmed on Niles Pond. The end clip is of a flock of Buffleheads in flight and was shot at Pebble Beach, Rockport.

 

 

Vote Presidential Primary Tuesday March 1st 2016

    Ballot Dem 2     Ballot rep 2                

Ballot Green -1     Unitedindependentpartylogo.png  

LINK TO Specimen Ballots for March 1, 2016 Primary:
(each ward link contains a specimen for the Democrat, Republican, Green-Rainbow & United Independent ballots.

Ballot United IndpBallot DemBallot Green-RainbowBallot Rep

What Does God Look Like?

In the Beginning

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

John 10:30

“I and the Father are one.” (said by Jesus)

For those who view Jesus as a prophet, a holy man, an historical figure, but just a man, the Bible clearly tells us that He is the Word (one of his many names), who was with God, and one with God, since before the beginning of creation. The Spirit of God or Breath of God, also one with God, is the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. Hence the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit/Ghost which has always existed as one.

Mankind is distinct from all the rest of creation in that we are made in the image of God. Just as God is made up of three parts — Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so man is made up of three parts — temporal body, soul (seat of the senses, desires, affections, appetites, intellect, will, emotions, conscience, etc.) and spirit (that part of us that connects, or refuses to connect, to God). As with a fellow human being, you can never completely know another until you personally connect with the physical man or woman (can recognize the person walking down the street because of how they look, their walk, etc.), and come to know the soul and spirit of the person. Those are your true friends in life, the ones you connect with on all levels (whether you agree with them all the time or not) and would trust with your deepest secret; all others are acquaintances, maybe buddies, maybe siblings or parents, lovers or spouses, but not true friends.  Since we are made up of three parts, we cannot truly know ourselves, never mind anyone else, if we don’t connect with all three.  So it is with God; to truly know Him and be His friend, we must connect with all of Him.

Like people throughout time have done, I made God kind of look like me, but with a beard and blue eyes, rather than hazel. Unfortunately, throughout time people have made God to be in their physical or soul likeness, and therefore anyone who doesn’t look or think like them obviously isn’t of God and should be discounted, discriminated against, or worse, obliterated from the face of earth (think ethnic cleansing – American Indian, Nazi Germany, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Chechnya, Darfur, Syria, and the Islamic State to name a few). God created us, loves us and wants relationship with us no matter what we look like, where we come from, or what we think or believe. And it is not because a single one of us is perfect, worthy or deserving.

Isaiah 55:8-9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

E.J. Lefavour

http://hobbithousestudio.com

photography of Cape Ann from Dave Lemont

Hi Joey

Thanks for all the great work you put into your blog..I read it just about  every day.  It really makes me feel part of what is going on in our town.

My name is Dave Lemont and I  live in Magnolia.  I am launching a new blog called Cape Ann Passion (http://thirdwindphotography.com/blog) that talks about my photo trips to the area we all love.  I was hoping there is a way I can contribute some of my photography to your site from time to time.  Please let me know if that would be possible.

thanks

Dave

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Lanesville Last Year From Stella D’Maris

Hi Joey,

I take pictures in my neighborhood every day.

Here’s one from this time LAST year.

The difference is amazing.

Enjoying the page over here in Lanesville,

Alexandra Stella D’Maris

wintercoveWP_20150212_10_26_48_Pro__highres

@beauport_hotel Lobby as envisioned by an artist.

Looking Swanky As Hell.

Book My Room For Opening Weekend Please ASAP!!!!

bhlobby

 

Goodbye, Weekend

The sun sets over Waring Field and the Rockport Golf Club to close out a pretty lovely weekend.

Image 1

Another great before and after from @HarborCoveDenta

FOUND! One Art Rock 02/28/2016

From: Robyn Salvanelli;

Sara Salvanelli, Age 7 found her first Art Rock this morning!

artrocks1

Paul,

We don’t mind at all if you post the photo of Sara. We read the GMG post this morning and thought it might be a fun adventure to go searching for the art rock. We had a terrific time searching together this morning, it was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday morning together. This was another opportunity to show my daughter what a special place Gloucester is to live in. She is going to start an ‘Art Rocks’ collection and can’t wait to search for the next one.
Thank you for sharing your art and the love of Gloucester,”
Sincerely,
Robyn Salvanelli