AMAZING CAPTURE: SNOTBOT DRONE IMAGES OF THE RARE BLUE WHALE, THE LARGEST ANIMAL ON PLANET EARTH

Blue body 2 [2]Our friends at Ocean Alliance have just returned from the Sea of Cortez.  They took their drone SnotBot down there and successfully collected Snot from Blue, Grey and Humpback whales.  Here is an except form Iain Kerr’s most recent blog along with some photos of the largest animal that has even live on this planet… a blue whale.
After 10 minutes of high speed running the boat slowed down and we immediately launched a SnotBot. Within seconds we saw a blow, still a long way off.  Luckily the DJI Inspire 1’s top speed is close to 50 mph so I raced towards the whale and was soon close enough to see it though my FPV camera system…. and OMG – it was a blue whale!  I cannot describe my feelings as I approached this remarkable animal gliding through the water. After almost 30 years in this business and a British understated reputation to maintain, I have to admit that my hands started shaking and yes I made a mess of my first approach and did not get a blow sample.  I did not care though, the experience of flying SnotBot over the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet was an experience of a lifetime. To put this animal’s size into context: an adult blue whale’s tongue can weigh 6.5 tons; the heart is so big that a human adult could climb into one chamber.  Our blue whale was stunning in the crystal clear water, seeming to swim effortlessly.  After it dove I just left the drone hovering above its footprint and looked around at the rest of the team who were all ecstatic – last day on the water, beautiful weather and we were with a blue whale. I have only ever seen a blue whale once and when you look at the attached photo you realize that a drone’s eye view is incomparable; it’s the ultimate viewing experience. Look at its features, how the eyes protrude so that the animal can see forward; look at all of the different musculature and markings on the animal; just look at its amazing color.  So often with SnotBot we focus on the physical data we are collecting from the blow: DNA, micro biomes  pregnancy and stress hormones, but here we can see that even the photos and video that we take have enormous scientific, educational and emotional value.
You can read more about their work on their website:  http://www.whale.org/snotbot-sea-of-cortez-part-3-blue-whale/
IMG_6268 Iain Kerr and John Graham representing in the Sea of Cortez (Iain reports that Gloucester resident John is their resident McGyver, who can fix anything that goes wrong on a voyage)

Blue body & boat[2]Blue body short[2]Blue Snotted[2]

Cape Ann Chamber Spring Tourism Mixer Mile Marker1

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Live blogging: it is a gorgeous night and packed — ready for discussing upcoming season plans! Mile Marker One looks beautiful — getting all their outdoor decks ready to roll.

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*news update: I amended the post to update it with some names and businesses seen in the photos and at the party–which I couldn’t manage live blogging.

So who was there and who helped?

Peter Webber, Ken Riehl, Kerry McKenna were there for the Chamber. The photographs show a range of businesses and organizations across Cape Ann coming together on such a nice evening like: Blue Shutters Beachside Inn, Cape Ann Camp Site, Cape Ann Plein Air, Cruiseport, Gloucester Stage,  Vista motel, artist Melody Phaneuf, Mile Marker One, North Shore Music, Pauline’s Gifts, Rocky Neck Art Association, Ryan and Wood, Schooner Adventure, seArts, Seven Seas Whale Watch, and Woodmans.

The Spring Tourism Mixer was presented by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Council. Members of the Tourism Council are:

Sara Young (Chair) Schooner Adventure;

Matt Anzivino, Rockport Inn & Suites;

Laura Dow, Vista motel;

Tony Sapienza, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn;

Bonnie Scatterday, Woodman’s;

Jim Douglass, Cape Ann Whale Watch;

Meredith Anderson, Cape Ann Museum;

Rev. Sue Koehler-Arsenault, Rockport Cultural District;

Tom Balf, Maritime Gloucester;

Steve Frisch, Loblolly Seal Cruises;

Richard Nestel, Lantana House;

Ted Marshall, Agawam Boat and Fishing Charters;

Carol Thistle, City of Gloucester Community Development/Tourism;

Mike Storella, Central Street Gallery;

Charlie Brackett, Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant;

Tony Beadle, Rockport Music 

Alicia Unleashed Episode 25 with guest B-Side and Alicia Cox

Alicia Unleashed Episode 25 with guest B-Side and Alicia Cox

Titled “No bread for you”

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Running Man Challenge, We love you Ellen, Millennials, Episode 25, Alicia is almost 35, Instagram PSA, Shout out to Pop gallery, Ashley Bridget Bracelet, Not all guys like the Barbie look, Giving up Dating, Off the grid, Deactivating Facebook, Social Media Downturn, Talking to the Universe, Summer Blockbuster, Do you dress to impress yourself or someone else?, Public’s perception of Alicia, Bridget DJ mix skillz, Are we too PC nowadays?, Denied a bra, Sam Hunt

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES

CALL FOR ENTRIES

A Visual Feast
A multi-media, juried exhibition

The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) invites New England artists to submit work to “A Visual Feast” a six-week exhibition at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Juror: Ellen Wineberg
Deadline for Submissions: 11:59 PM, June 22, 2016
Exhibition Dates: August 4-Sept 11, 2016
Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 12:00-6:00 PM
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 6, 5:00-7:00 PM

The Call:

RNAC seeks a mix of contemporary, experimental and traditional works of art suggested by the title “A Visual Feast.” The art could rock with realism, stun in still life, interpret abundance in line, color, pattern, or abstraction. Bring on your best in assemblage, pastels, paintings, drawings, photographs, mixed media and small sculpture. Close to thirty works will be chosen for their ability to dazzle or tease the eye. Juror will select one or more works for special recognition.

About the Juror:

Ellen Wineberg is an artist and co-curator (with Cathleen Daley) at ROOM 83 Spring, an alternative gallery and event space in Watertown, MA. Ellen has work in the Danforth, DeCordova, and New Britain Museums, and Simmons College, Dana Farber and Fidelity collections. She has shown at the Clark Gallery in Lincoln, and Gallery Henoch in NYC. She was a Mass Cultural Council finalist in painting in 2004 and a recent member of Bromfield Gallery in Boston.

Eligibility:

Open to all artists 18 years and older living and working in New England.

Requirements:

  • Work submitted will have been created within the past 4 years.
  • Artwork previously shown at any other Gloucester venue will not be considered.
  • Art must be original creations of the artist. No reproductions or videos will be considered.
  • Accepted work must be delivered in person, absolutely no shipping.
  • Work must be gallery wrapped or suitably framed and wired for hanging; saw-tooth or sandwich frames will not be accepted. To maintain a contemporary vibe throughout the exhibition, the use of gold frames is discouraged.

Entry Fees:

$35 for 3 entries, 2 additional entries $10 each; RNAC members: $25 for 3 entries, 2 additional entries $5 each. (Member discount code available.) Please make sure you have a credit card or a PayPal account to make your payment at the time of applying.

Open for submissions:

9:00 AM, Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Deadline for submissions:

11:59 PM, Wednesday, June 22

Notification:

Selected artists and 30 works will be announced on the RNAC website (www.rockyneckartcolony.org) by 5:00 PM on June 28, 2016. Accepted artists will be contacted with a follow-up email. Artists will be invited to join us in welcoming viewers for a day during the exhibition.

Images:

You will need good quality photos of your work in JPEG format, sized no greater than 2 MB, with 1200 pixels for the longest dimension. Each image must be labeled with the following information: last name, first initial, title, medium.jpg. Example: Smith_J_SunsetSymphony_acrylic.jpg.  Do not use any special characters (e.g. !@#$%^&*+()][{}|/) in your image name, your image will not be accepted.

Size of artwork:

Submitted 2-D work may not exceed 60 inches in height and 48 inches in width, including a frame. 3-D work must fit on a 16 x 16 inch pedestal top (3-D artists should be prepared to supply pedestals as needed). There is a space for one large work of 60″h x 70″w.

Accepted Work

  • Deliver: Monday, August 1, 10 AM-12 PM to the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA.
  • Pick up unsold work: Sunday, September 11, 6:00-6:30 PM or Monday September 12, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.

Commissions:

All work must be for sale. There is a 40% commission on the sale of non-member work; 25% on RNAC member work. Artists must be members when entering to take advantage of the reduced entry fee and the membership commission rate. To join the Rocky Neck Art Colony go to http://rockyneckartcolony.org.

URL for more information:  http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/a-visual-feast-call-for-submissions/

Please send any questions about this call to entry@rockyneckartcolony.org.

For more information about the gallery at the Cultural Center or to join the RNAC go to www.rockyneckartcolony.org. OK

Miranda Russell on 104.9FM w/ Dana & Mugs Tomorrow (5/11) at 8:30AM

Miranda Russell in front of The Larcom Theatre

If you live in Gloucester, you most likely listen to North Shore 104.9 FM radio for local news, happenings, Red Sox games, classic rock and the best local morning show on radio, hosted by Dana Hersey & Kevin McGonagle (Mugs) who lives in Gloucester.

Tomorrow morning (5/11) at about 8:30 local vocalist Miranda Russell will be their guest.

Miranda will give a little preview of her concert next Saturday, May 21 (right down the road at The Larcom Theatre, Beverly’s most intimate, acoustically stellar listening room) and perhaps a bit about what to look for this season at Russell Orchards (her farm in Ipswich) and probably a surprise or two.

Dana & Mugs are always entertaining — and when they’re joined by a world-class entertainer it’s even more fun.  Check them out!

Here’s a taste of what you can expect from Miranda at her concert on May 21. Tickets (starting at only $19.00) are still available, but they’re selling fast.  The best seats are in the balcony.  Get them here.

Fish Tales – All Women

Do you like stories told from the heart? Do you listen to NPR’s Moth Radio Hour? Well, you owe it to yourself to go to the Rocky Neck Cultural Center on Friday evening for this presentation of Fish Tales from the Gloucester Writers Center. These will be true stories told by people you know. It doesn’t get much more real than this. GWC

If you missed the last one, Tattoo Show and Tell, here’s a link to the video from Henry Ferrini.

Part 2 MANNY CARRANCHO SHARES TREASURED PHOTOS MADONNA STATUE CARRIED FROM THE GIL EANNES AT STATE PIER TO OUR LADY

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Mary Jean Ribeiro

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A couple of years ago, because of research I was doing about Gordon Parks in Gloucester and thankfully Joey posted on Good Morning Gloucester, I was able to interview Manny and Joanna Carrancho. Manny and his family spent considerable time giving me a detailed account of earlier events in their lives. They shared treasured historic photos and first hand knowledge and were a delight.  Part 2 photographs continue with a town procession from the state pier to the church.  

More photographs tomorrow

 Part 1

Continue reading “Part 2 MANNY CARRANCHO SHARES TREASURED PHOTOS MADONNA STATUE CARRIED FROM THE GIL EANNES AT STATE PIER TO OUR LADY”

Garden Preparations begins at Wolf Hill with Karen McBain

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Karen MvBain works at Wolf Hill Garden Center and she also is the owner of Garden Paths “Garden Creations”

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Three of Wolf Hill’s assistants help with some of the customers heavy lifting

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High Ground

Now that I try to take both dogs on my run/walk in the afternoon, I am hard pressed to take photos.  For anyone who has chanced upon me taking a Nantucket Sleigh Ride through town while being pulled by 100 pounds of dog can confirm that.

This intrigued me too much though to not stop last night.  6:30 in the evening and no one in sight.

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School Arts Festival this Saturday

More Cape Ann Community News-
http://www.capeanncommunity.com

Cape Ann Community

The Gloucester Public Schools Art Festival is here! Join us for a free day-long celebration of art, music, dance and theater. Amazing artwork by Gloucester’s pre-K-12 students will be on display and performances will take place all day. We’ll even have a group art project taking place in the Cape Ann Museum Courtyard. Don’t miss this fun, family event for all ages. Sponsored by Gloucester Education Foundation
When: Saturday, May 14, 2016 10:30am – 3:30pm
Location: Downtown Gloucester – Sawyer Free Library, City Hall, Cape Ann Museum, The Hive, Pleasant Street Tea Co. & Toodeloos!
Schedule of Events

10:30 AM: Opening Remarks – City Hall / High School Drama Workshop – Sawyer Free Library
10:45 AM: Dancing Through the Decades workshop with Sarah Swift – City Hall
11 AM-1 PM: Collage Art Project – Cape Ann Museum Courtyard (inside the Museum if raining)
11:15 AM: Mad Hot Ball Demonstration – City Hall…

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