A small duck with a big personality, the little male American Wigeon flew on the scene, disgruntling all the Mallards. He darted in and out of their feeding territory, foraging along the shoreline, while the Mallards let him know with no uncertainty, by nipping and chasing, that they did not want him there. American Wigeon was not deterred and just kept right on feeding.
Smaller than a Mallard but larger than a Bufflehead, the pretty male flashes a brilliant green swath across the eye and has a beautiful baby blue bill. They are also colloquially called “Baldplate” because the white patch atop his head resembles a bald man’s head.
Male American Wigeon and Male Mallard
According to naturalist and avian illustrator Barry van Dusen in “Bird Observer, “In Massachusetts, they are considered rare and local breeders, uncommon spring migrants, and locally common migrants in fall. They are also fairly common winter residents in a few localities. Spring migration occurs in April and fall migrants arrive in September with many remaining until their preferred ponds freeze over.”
After looking at the range map below, I wonder if our little American Wigeon has been here all winter or if he is a spring migrant. If you have seen an American Wigeon, please write and let us know. Thank you!
* * * Female American Wigeon (above) image courtesy Google image search
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Image: Margarett Sargent (1892-1978), Women and Mirror (Self-portrait with Model), 1933-1936, oil on canvas. Gift of Alvin and Estella Hochberg, 2002 [Accession # 2002.48]. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum.
The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to celebrate Women’s History Month with a presentation on the life, loves and work of Margarett Sargent (1892 – 1978) by Cape Ann Museum docents Tamsen Endicott and Margaret Bernier on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
This program is free for Museum members or with Museum admission, paid on arrival. Space is limited; reservations are required. Reservations can be made by calling 978-283-0455 x10, emailing info@capeannmuseum.org or online through Eventbrite.
Margarett Sargent was a sculptor, painter and member of the National Association of Women Artists. Founded in 1892, NAWA is the oldest professional women’s arts organization in the United States, and counts among its earliest members a number of prominent Cape Ann artists whose work is represented in the Cape Ann Museum collections, including Anna Hyatt Huntington, Katharine Lane Weems and Theresa Bernstein.
Sargent was an early Modernist who rebelled against the societal expectations of her privileged Boston Brahmin family and embarked upon a career as an artist in the heady 1920s and 30s.
Tamsen Endicott is a docent at the Cape Ann Museum and leader of the Cape Ann Museum Book Club. A Rockport native, Tamsen enjoys history, genealogy and is pursuing graduate work in public history.
Margaret Bernier is also a docent at theCape Ann Museum, and an Artist Member of the National Association of Women Artists, Inc.
Where: Gloucester High School Field House 32 Leslie O. Johnson Rd. Gloucester, MA
Details: $5 per family at the door. Join us for goop-making, obstacle course, Simon says, art projects, giant games, fort-building, hula-hooping, yoga, dance, karate, sand and water play and MORE!
Hosted by Gloucester Education Foundation with sponsorship from Cape Ann Savings Bank Trust and Financial Services Department.
Photography Walking Tour with Eoin Vincent
The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to invite budding and experienced photographers alike to join photographer Eoin Vincent for a 90-minute photo walking tour in downtown Gloucester on Saturday, April 1 at 1:00 a.m. Participants will learn tips, gain instruction and perhaps walk away with a submission or two for At the Water’s Edge, this year’s photography contest.
In conjunction with this spring’s exhibition, Charles Movalli: Cape Ann & Beyond, CAM is hosting an online photography contest. Participants are invited to submit images based on the theme of “at the water’s edge” that capture the magical place often seen in Movalli’s work where land and sea meet. Photos must be taken in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea. More information can be found at capeannmuseum.org/waters-edge. Submission deadline April 30.
Image Credit: Eoin Vincent, “Dogs”, “Bath Water in the New Fall Light”, “Morning has Broken” and “Periwinkles”
Eoin Vincent is a native of Rockport, MA who credits his love of the creative process to growing up in a family that fostered the arts. He is experienced in a wide range of event, on location and fine art photography. His work has appeared in a number of publications worldwide; his fine art is internationally collected and is a part of the Peabody Essex Museum collection.
This program is $10 Museum members / $20 nonmembers. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information please email info@capeannmuseum.org. Tickets can be purchased by calling 978-283-0455 x10 or online at Eventbrite.
The Cape Ann Museum celebrates the art, history and culture of Cape Ann – a region with a rich and varied culture of nationally significant historical, industrial and artistic achievement. The Museum’s collections include fine art from the 19th century to the present, artifacts from the fishing, maritime and granite quarrying industries, textiles, furniture, a library/archives and two historic houses. For a detailed media fact sheet please visit www.capeannmuseum.org/press.
The Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00 adults, $8.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Youth (18 and under) and Museum members are free. For more information please call: (978)283-0455 x10. Additional information can be found online at www.capeannmuseum.org.
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The landscape chain design encircling the site of the world famous Leonard Craske Man at the Wheel sculpture is lovely and simple. The repeating rings are an aesthetic choice and practical. There’s an understated wide ‘berth’ that’s respectful yet beckoning; one indelible memorial and thousands of ripples.
Perhaps the broken post was a snow plow? Who knows. Wonder how often a break occurs?
The color photographs were taken this morning. The black and white photographs were by Gordon Parks from his 1940s FSA photographs. The granite cenotaph markers were added in 2000.
Boys in this Gordon Parks photo remain unidentified.
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Calling all dodgeball players and spectators, the 6th Annual Bikini and Speedo Dodgeball tournament is here!
Not only is the dodgeball tournament back on of this year, but due to a few teams combining and a few teams dropping out (none of the defending champs from the last 4 years are able to participate this year!!) THERE ARE STILL A FEW TEAM SPOTS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION! Get on it ASAP as regstration is first come, first serve.
We have a new location and a new charity as well. The event will be held in Essex on April 8 from 11-4 (tournament starts at noon).
This is a great event for players and spectators. All proceeds go to Sweet Paws Rescue, which is a phenomenal local animal rescue charity.
Teams of 5 players must have a minimum of 2 women to play and all players must be 21+. It is a double elimination tournament and takes place outdoors with music, and an event MC. Registration fee includes 5 event T-shirts. To register your team and check out pictures and videos from previous years, go to the Facebook event page here:
Hugo, Marcus, and Richard (owner R S Construction)
The Bragas’s highly anticipated second stand alone restaurant, the new Italiano Restaurant and Bar, will be opening at 64 Main Street well before people flock to our coast this summer. The former space of La Trattoria is being transformed by RS Construction which also built the Dunkin Donuts in Magnolia and the Azorean’s gorgeous bar expansion and function addition. The new restaurant has been under major construction for months because the build out is much more than a revamp. The small kitchen is GONE. The entire former function space in the back is a brand spanking new kitchen.
In a city of incredibly good eats how do you make yours stand out?
An excellent reputation helps: the Bragas opened Azorean in 2007 which quickly established a legion of loyal customers with its unique and exceptional cuisine. Besides quality, hard work and experience how about that awesome historic West End location. Italiano Restaurant joins a tipping point where Gloucester’s West End meets Boston’s North End. Italy Magazine I propose your next article in the series, Where to find Italy in America?- Gloucester’s West End! Come visit!
I stopped by Maritime Gloucester yesterday morning and checked out some of the progress on the pier and the aquarium. It is coming along beautifully and is pretty exciting. We clocked some serious hours in the Pocket Lab Aquarium when the boys were a bit younger and no doubt they’ll fall in love with the space all over again when they see the new digs!
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In conjunction with the Cape Ann Museum’s spring exhibition, Charles Movalli: Cape Ann & Beyond, the Museum is hosting an online photography contest. Photographers of all experience levels are invited to submit images based on the theme of “at the water’s edge” that capture the magical place often seen in Movalli’s work where land and sea meet. Photos must be taken in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Submission deadline April 30 | Live Facebook voting May 5 through May 19 | Winners announced May 26
A photographer in the pulpit of a sword fishing vessel, Gloucester, MA
(possibly Vincent's Cove). Handcolored slide from the Fishermen's
Institute, c. 1921. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum Library & Archives.
Winning Images
Winning entrants will be notified by May 26, 2017; top three selections will be awarded the following prizes:
Interested in growing your own vegetables from seed? Join Backyard Growers for Seed Starting Part 2! Starting your own seeds is a great way to garden more sustainably while also enjoying a wide variety of veggies!
Join us for an afternoon of fun building with Lego! Ages 6-12. Monday, March 27, 3:30pm-4:30pm in the Friend Room. Please register online at http://www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-281-9763 x18.
Books & Brews Book Club
Tuesday, March 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Azorean Restaurant, the Books & Brews Book Club will meet to discuss this month’s read, Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life.Enjoy an evening out meeting new friends, good discussion, and treat yourself to a beverage and appetizers. Check out a copy at the Main Desk of the Sawyer Free Library! 21 & up welcome.Please register online at http://www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-281-9763.
Tax Assistance
Volunteers from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be at the Sawyer Free Library every Wednesday through April 12 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. They offer free tax preparation particularly for those over 50 or who can’t afford their own tax…
The Weal of fortune spins around this Thursday to land on Mr. Chris “Stovall” Brown again. One of your favorite glitar commandos and rust bucket vocallists, Chris and I often play together at O’Rielly’s (more on that later). He’s truly killer and a grate stage performer.
No bogosity here.We’re wealing in the biblically named Mr. Ephraim Lowell to help out on the skins. BTW, I don’t hear those alien voices much anymore, but I’m gonna wear my tinfoil hat anyhow, just for practice.
40 Railroad Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-9732
A small duck with a big personality, the little male American Wigeon flew on the scene, disgruntling all the Mallards. He darted in and out of their feeding territory, foraging along the shoreline, while the Mallards let him know with no uncertainty, by nipping and chasing, that they did not want him there. American Wigeon was not deterred and just kept right on feeding.
* * *
Female American Wigeon (above) image courtesy Google image search
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