Author: Kimsmithdesigns

Documentary filmmaker, photographer, landscape designer, author, and illustrator. "Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly" currently airing on PBS. Current film projects include Piping Plovers, Gloucester's Feast of St. Joseph, and Saint Peter's Fiesta. Visit my websites for more information about film and design projects at kimsmithdesigns.com, monarchbutterflyfilm.com, and pipingploverproject.org. Author/illustrator "Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden."

ROCKY NECK ART COLONY PRESENTS NEW EXHIBIT ~ FOR THE BIRDS

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American Goldfinch -1 ©Kim Smith 2015

The Rocky Neck Art Colony kicks off the 2016 exhibition season with an extraordinary six-week exhibition and fundraising event at the RNAC’s Cultural Center at Rocky Neck. Juried by Amy Montague, the Director of the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon, in Canton MA, the exhibition “For The Birds” features multi-media avian art. The public is invited to a reception on Sunday, January 31 at 2-4 PM. Save the dates for a talk on the life and art of John J. Audubon by noted local author Chris Leahy, Bertrand Chair of Field Ornithology at Mass Audubon, at the Cultural Center on Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 PM, a talk about the Birds of Cape Ann by local photographer and filmmaker Kim Smith, and “The Artful Birdhouse,” an auction of original, artist-created birdhouses on Sunday February 21, beginning at 1:00 PM. A raffle of a basket full of birding-related items concludes the events with a drawing of the winning ticket on Sunday, March 6 at 2:00 PM. A portion of all events proceeds will support Mass Audubon’s mission to protect the flora and fauna of Massachusetts.

Concurrent with RNAC’s “For The Birds” exhibition, The Trident Gallery, Director Matthew Swift, presents “Nest” its third annual exhibition in partnership with Mass Audubon’s Museum of American Bird Art offering artworks from the Museum’s collection. Exhibition dates: January 30 – March 6, 2016.

The songs, vivid colors and enormous variety of bird species attracted to Cape Ann’s coastal waters, marshes, and waterways often bring with them both birding enthusiasts and artists, each drawn by their vibrant visual appeal. Come to The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck to view the aesthetic heights their wildly patterned beauty has inspired in the work of New England artists’ multi-media offerings in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, assemblage, and more.

This spectacular melding of the avian and the artistic is juried by Amy Montague, Director of the Museum of Bird Art at Mass Audubon, the only museum dedicated to art inspired by the beauty, science and wonder of birds. In her 23 years at Mass Audubon, Ms. Montague has stewarded and grown the organization’s broad and eclectic art collection that embraces fine art, folk art, sporting art, illustration, and more. She has curated more than thirty exhibitions exploring the intersection of art and nature focusing on artists as varied as John James Audubon and Andy Warhol. She has twice been a juror for the internationally renowned “Birds in Art” exhibition at the Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin.

The Artful Birdhouse Auction: Sunday, February 21. Preview 1-2PM, Live Auction at 2:15 PM. The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester MA. Engaging the charm and appeal of birdhouses as a foundation, the imagination of friends and members of the Rocky Neck Art Colony will soar in creating whimsical, modern, traditional, fantasy and completely unexpected “artful” birdhouses. The following artists have donated their time and talents for an auction of their birdhouse creations in support of Mass Audubon and in conjunction with the “For The Birds” art exhibit at The Cultural Center. Promoting the Auction, early bird creators will have the opportunity to display their works at several venues in and around Gloucester.

Artists participating in the auction event are Kathy Gerdon Archer, Deborah Barnwell, Carol Mansur Benesh, Lisa Carlson, Joy Dai Buell, Elizabeth Gauthier, Rachel Gauthier, Joy Halsted, Jane Keddy, Mindy Lind-terk, Ron MacNeill, Tom Nihan, Sinikka Nogello, Christy Park, Hans Pundt, Kenny Riaf, Karen Ristuben, Sally Seamans, Pam Stratton, Karen Tibbetts, and Karen Tusinski among others.

“For the Birds” A Juried Exhibition of Avian Related Art, January 28 to March 6, 2016, Opening Reception: Sunday, January 31, 2–4 PM.

John J. Audubon: The Man and His Art, A talk by Chris Leahy, Bertrand Chair of Field Ornithology at Mass Audubon, Thursday, February 11, 7 PM.

Birds of Cape Ann, Talk,photos, and short films by local filmmaker and photographer Kim Smith, Thursday, February 18th, at 7PM.

The Artful Birdhouse: An auction of artist-created birdhouses, Sunday, February 21, Preview: 1-2 PM, Live Auction at 2:15 PM.

Raffle Drawing for a basket of birding related items, Sunday, March 6 at 2 PM

The Cultural Center Gallery

6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Gallery hours: Thurs-Sun, 12:00-4:00 PM

Bonapartes Gulls Preening -2 ©Kim Smith 2015

Bonaparte’s Gulls Preening Lighthouse Beach

SAVE THE DATE FOR JUNI VAN DYKE’S TALK AT THE CAPE ANN MUSEUM!

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gloucester-downtown-quilt-project-juni-van-dyke-c2a9kim-smith-2015Join Cape Ann’s Juni Van Dyke as she recounts the making of “The Neighborhood Quilt Project.” On Saturday, January 16, at 3:00p.m. she will give an illustrated talk about the special exhibition of Gloucester: A Community of Neighborhoods now showing at the Cape Museum. This program is free and open to the public.

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Maggie’s extraordinary interpretation of the archetypical Beauport window. The window’s mullions frame a collection of antique glass in varying shades of lavender to deep grape.

Read More About “The Neighborhood Quilt Project” Here
JUNI VANDYKE ~ SHOUT OUT TO A BEAUTIFUL LADY!
OUR HISTORY TOLD THROUGH SCRAPS ~ UNVEILING OF THE GLOUCESTER “DOWNTOWN QUILT” WITH JUNI VAN DYKE
SIMPLY STUNNING WORK IN PROGRESS

 

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMON EIDERS AND BUFFLEHEADS

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Common Eider Bufflehead ©Kim Smith 2016Male Common Eider (center) with Male Buffleheads

Last week a reader wrote asking how to tell the difference between Buffleheads and Common Eiders. Both males of the species are black and white and both frequent our shores during the winter months. The easiest difference is that the Eiders are much larger, about 25 to 27 inches, while Buffleheads are about half the size of an Eider, only measuring 11-15 inches in length. Common Eiders are the largest diving duck in North America; the Bufflehead the smallest diving duck.

Common Eider Male ©Kim Smith 2015Eiders have a long sloping bill and move rather slowly.

Male female buffleheads ©Kim Smith 2016

Male and Female (right) Buffleheads

Buffleheads are sprightly and butterball shaped. From a distance the male Bufflehead looks striking, appearing black and white. Up close, the head feathers are a stunning iridescent purple and green. Both Eiders and Buffleheads can be seen feeding all along the Massachusetts coastline during the winter months. Buffleheads inhabit fresh water ponds and salt water whereas Common Eiders are sea ducks. During the summer breeding season, Common Eiders are found across Alaska and Canada all the way south to our region, whereas Buffleheads breed in the boreal forests and aspen parklands of Canada and Alaska.

I am sure you’ve heard of eiderdown pillows and quilts. The eiderdown, plucked from the female’s breast to line the nest, can be collected sustainably and safely after the ducklings leave the nest. Eiderdown has been largely replaced by down from farm raised geese.

Common Eider female ©Kim Smith 2015Female Common Eider

At the Essex Shipbuilding Museum ~ “ARTISTS IN THE SHIPYARD”

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A new “ARTISTS IN THE SHIPYARD” program at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum is offering artists the opportunity to create and display work in a variety of media including; painting, sculpture, print-making, and digital photography.

THE ESSEX RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT is pleased to announce an exciting program bringing working artists and
students to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Artists will be able to enjoy the creative opportunities the historic work site offers from now until the end of June 2016. Those participating in “Artists In the Shipyard” will
create and display work in a variety of media including sculpture, print-making, and digital photography. The
program will be drawing on the environment, exhibits, and unique art-making spaces at the museum. The
Essex River Cultural District was awarded this grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council which was matched by the Essex Merchants group. The Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, has
recently started funding projects and programs for Cultural Districts in Massachusetts.

Those interested in participating or just learning more about this program are invited to the Kick Off Reception
on Thursday, January 7th from 5 -7 PM at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, Essex, MA. The evening will feature food, drink and an art-making activity. To RSVP or request more information email:
education@essexshipbuildingmuseum.org or leave a message at: 978-768-6441.

Artist in the Shipyard

DOES ANYONE HAVE AN EXTRA COPY?

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Does anyone have an extra copy of the latest issue of the Cape Ann Community Connection phone book (2015-2016)? My friend Dawn noticed that it is my photo on the cover of her copy and she texted the snapshot below. I forgot to give my husband a heads up and in his zealousness to recyle, I think ours may have ended up in the bin. Please comment in the comment section if you do have a copy you can spare. Thank you so much!IMG_8631

LET ME OUT!

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Filming at a peaceful location early one morning, this little guy nearly scared the bejesus out of me when he suddenly began to hurl himself against the inside walls of a nearby dumpster. He peered out and unaware of my presence, resumed desperately gnawing at the dumpster’s sliding door. Judging from the appearance of the door it looked as though he had been chewing all night long. Not wanting to get bit, I grabbed a stick and stood to the side while sliding the door open. He took his cue and flew out of the dumpster like a bat out of hell. Never a dull moment photographing wildlife!squirrel trapped in a dumpster©Kim Smith 2015

 

DRAMATIC GOOD HARBOR BEACH SUNRISE

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GMG FOB Kathleen Powers Morgan, Savour Wine and Cheese proprietor, submitted these photos of this morning’s GHB sunrise. Wild!

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CANVASBACK DUCK IN GLOUCESTER!

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This first weekend of 2016 was an exciting one for our lovers of all things avian. Niles Pond especially was teeming with beautiful diving ducks, most notably the Canvasback Duck. Several Ring-necked Ducks were spotted as were a trio of the elegantly understated dabbling Gadwalls. American Coots and Buffleheads have been at Niles now for more than a month; the Buffleheads are especially abundant.

Canvasback Duck Niles Pond Gloucester Massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2016Too far in the middle of the pond for my wimpy 200mm lens, at least you can see for identification purposes the Canvasback Duck and the Ring-necked Duck

Gadwall Niles Pond Gloucester massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2016Gadwalls 

American Coot Niles Gloucester Massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2016American Coot

Mr. Swan Niles Pond ©Kim Smith 2016Mr. Swan!

Ring-necked Duck Gloucester Massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2016

Ring-necked Duck and Canvasback Duck

Canvasback Range Map

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HOW RELOCATING TREES COULD HELP SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

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monarchs-el-rosario-c2a9kim-smith-2014In February of 2014 when I traveled to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Angangueo to film the Monarchs, we encountered some difficulty locating the butterflies. Because of global warming conditions the Monarchs had roosted much further up the mountain than was typical. We needed to climb an additional 1500 feet, nearly to the top of the mountain. There was no place higher for the butterflies on this mountain and I wondered at the time, where would they go as the earth becomes increasingly warmer.

Butterflies are heliothermic, which means they gain heat from the sun. During the winter it is imperative that the butterflies remain relatively cool and in a state of sexual immaturity, called diapause. The sheltering boughs of the sacred Oyamel Fir (Abeis religiosa) trees and the cool temperatures at the higher altitudes of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Mountain Belt, in the past, have provided optimal habitat for the butterflies.

El Rosario ©Kim Smith 2014Leaving the Chaparral and Entering the Oyamel Fir Forset

Oyamel Fir trees Abeis religiosa ©Kim Smith 2014 copyOyamel Fir Forest

The butterflies currently roost at altitudes between 9,500 and 10,800 feet. Mexican scientists are planning to progressively move the trees higher up the mountainsides in a race to save the fir trees. Last summer several hundred seedlings were planted at 11,286 feet where habitat best suited to Monarchs is expected to be by 2030.

Excerpt from “To Protect Monarch Butterfly, a Plan to Save the Sacred Firs”

By Janet Marinelli

“While U.S. biologists urge gardeners to plant milkweeds to help restore the monarchs’ summer habitat, Mexican scientists are pinning their hopes on a plan to move the species progressively higher up local mountainsides in a race to save these firs and the butterflies that depend on them. “We have to act now,” says the plan’s architect, Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero, a forest geneticist at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. “Later will be too late, because the trees will be dead or too weak to produce seeds in enough quantity for large reforestation programs.”

When the rainy season arrived last summer, a few hundred seedlings were planted at 11,286 feet, where habitat suited to oyamel fir trees is expected to be by 2030. By then, according to retired U.S. Forest Service geneticist Jerry Rehfeldt, who co-authored a paper with Sáenz-Romero on global warming’s effect on oyamels, temperatures in the reserve could rise above pre-industrial levels by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2030, and suitable habitat could shrink by nearly 70 percent. The scientists’ research further suggests that by the end of the century, habitat that meets the fir’s needs may no longer exist anywhere inside the reserve. Trees would have to be planted at higher altitudes on peaks more than 100 miles away from the monarch’s migratory home.

The sacred fir is a poster child for the plight of trees around the globe. Trees provide habitat for countless species and underpin ecosystems as well as human economies, but as a group they are highly imperiled. A diagram in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2014 Working Group II report shows that of all life forms, trees are least able to respond to rapid climate change. Rooted in place, they have not evolved for rapid locomotion. Many take decades to mature and reproduce.

The breakneck speed of current global warming dwarfs anything in the fossil record, even what Lee Kump, professor of geosciences at Penn State University, has called “the last great global warming” 56 million years ago during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. At that time, over the course of a few thousand years, global temperatures soared 9°F as the supercontinent Pangaea broke apart. By comparison, if carbon emissions are not slashed soon, scientists warn it’s possible we could witness that much warming in a matter of centuries, if not decades. Without human help, trees and many other plant and animal species most likely won’t be able to migrate fast enough to keep pace with rapidly changing conditions.”

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE

So many thanks to my friend Eric Hutchins for forwarding this article!!

Monarch butterflies oyamel trees Abeis religiosa ©Kim Smith 2014 copyOyamel Boughs Enveloped in Monarchs

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE GLOUCESTER HOUSE INAUGURAL PARTY!

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Hats off to Lenny Linquata and his Gloucester House team for a smashing inaugural party!

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION -3 ©Kim Smith 2016.A rose (thorn) between two thorns (roses)

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION ©Kim Smith 2016.

Mayor Sefatia and grandchildren AJ, Bianca, Emma, and niece Lia

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Rona, Nina, Frank, Peter, Susan ©Kim Smith 2016..JPGRona Tyndall, Nina Groppo, Frank Groppo, Peter Anastas, and Susan Pollack

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Sam, Jane, Frank ©Kim Smith 2016..JPGJane Fonzo, Frank DiMercurio, Christopher Sicuranza, and Sam Orlando

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Nina and frank Groppo Senator Bruce Tarr ©Kim Smith 2016..JPG

Nina, Frank, and Senator Tarr

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Geraghty family ©Kim Smith 2016..JPG

Geraghty Family

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Abbie and Tony Gross Natalie ©Kim Smith 2016Abbie, Tony, and Natalie

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN 2016 INAUGURATION Bianca ©Kim Smith 2016

SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “SNAPSHOTS FROM THE GLOUCESTER HOUSE INAUGURAL PARTY!” →

GLOUCESTER 2016 INAUGURATION

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Gloucester Inauguration 2016 © Kim Smith 2016Gloucester welcomed in the new year with an exuberantly positive 2016 inauguration. City Hall was packed and the crowd was jubilant!Gloucester Inauguration 2016 Sefatia Rosaria ©Kim Smith 2016

A musical prelude was provided by the GHS Docksiders, followed by a moving rendition of “God Bless America” sung by Gordon Baird. The Presentation of Colors was given by the Gloucester High School ROTC. Mayor Sefatia’s grandchildren AJ, Bianca, and Emma, and niece Lia, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Alexandra Grace sang the national anthem. The Reverend Rona Tyndall and Father James Achadinha gave the invocation. Guest speaker Peter Anastas presented an inspiring speech. A glitch in the ceremonies arose when it was discovered there wasn’t a Bible in the house. Instead, a Bible app was used in its place!

Gloucester Inauguration 2016 -2 © Kim Smith 2016

Joe Ciolino, newly elected City Council President and Steve LeBlanc, newly elected City Council Vice President

Mayor Sefatia, the City Council, and School Committee took their oaths of office followed by a heartfelt speech given by the Mayor. Very special presentations by the Mayor were given to Daniel Ruberti and Amy-Elizabeth Geraghty.

Gloucester Inauguration 2016 Sefatia Ruberti © Kim Smith 2016Daniel Ruberti and Mayor Sefatia

Gloucester Inauguration 2016 Amy Elizabeth Geraghty © Kim Smith 2016Amy-Elizabeth Geraghty and Mayor Sefatia

Gloucester Inauguration 2016 Gloucester Cousins Steve, Grace, Aaron ©Kim Smith 2016Cousins Steve, Grace, and Aaron 

Gloucester Inauguration 2016 Steven Melanie Le Blacn © Kim Smith 2016JPG

Steven, Melanie and City Councilman Steven Le Blanc

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Very best wishes to Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekan, the new City Council, and School Committee!

See More Photos Here
Continue reading “GLOUCESTER 2016 INAUGURATION” →

MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKAN INAUGURATION 2016!

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More videos and pics to come

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PICS AND FULL LENGTH SLOMO VIDEO FROM POLAR PLUNGE!

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Rocky Neck Polar Plunge 2016 ©Kim Smith 2016Rocky Neck Polar Plunge 2016 -2 ©Kim Smith 2016Rocky Neck Polar Plunge 2016 -5 ©Kim Smith 2016Full length slow motion video

SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “PICS AND FULL LENGTH SLOMO VIDEO FROM POLAR PLUNGE!” →

LIVE FROM ROCKY NECK 2016 POLAR PLUNGE!

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More video and pics to come!

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THE SNOWY OWL PROJECT

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https://www.instagram.com/p/_75p2Ejyl8/

With all the wonderful recent Snowy Owl sightings in Gloucester, I have been reading much about the Snowies and in doing so came upon this great project being conducted by Norman Smith, Director of Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Since 1981, Smith has been studying the Snowy Owls and as part of his research, he attaches bands and transmitters to the owls at Logan Airport, and then tracks their travels.

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From the Mass Audubon website:

Snowy Owls and Airports

As snowy owls migrate north and south, they look for stopping places that resemble their home, the Arctic tundra. To them, the land around Logan Airport fits the bill. It’s low and flat, with short scruffy plants and grasses, and there’s an abundance of small mammals and birds to eat.

Logan airport has the largest known concentration of snowy owls in the Northeast. The birds usually show up at the airport in early November; the earliest date recorded is October 22. They leave in early April; the latest date recorded is July 7.

The airport owls help by scaring away other birds that might endanger aircraft. Unfortunately, they are large enough to pose a threat themselves. To protect both birds and jets, Smith safely captures and relocates snowy owls each year.

Tracking Snowy Owls

Since 1997, Smith has attached tiny transmitters to the healthiest owls he relocates. These transmitters send data such as location, temperature, and altitude, enabling researchers to learn more about:

  • Snowy owl migration routes
  • The rate at which they travel
  • If and where they stop along the way
  • Where they spend the breeding season
  • Where they spend the winter

The transmitter batteries last 1-3 years, and the transmitter harnesses fall off once the batteries have worn out. Researchers have worked hard to determine the best size, weight, positioning, and attachment of the transmitters so that they don’t impact the behavior and health of the birds.

This project is a partnership with the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Boise State University (BSU).

Note: This work is performed with special permits. The public is not allowed to enter restricted airport property, or to capture any kind of owl or other raptor.

Migration movement of owl #134376 March 9, 2014- April 11, 2015.

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More from Mass Audubon

Link to more very cool Snowy Owl migration maps.

Tips for Viewing Snowy Owls

About Snowy Owls

 

 

 

 

NEW VIDEO: SNOWY OWL AT CAPTAIN JOES!

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Snowy Owl Gloucester Massachusetts ©Kim Smith 2015So many thanks to Joey and Tom Ring for the wonderful tip. The Snowy is gorgeous!!! My right arm is a little unsteady with robo-cast but still managed to get a few moments. Notice how the Snowy Owl rotates its head, giving him nearly a 360 degree viewing vantage. The crows and a hawk* were noisily dive-bombing the Snowy, but he held his ground. I hope we see him again soon.

*Chris Anderson reports that the perching and diving bird is a Peregrine Falcon.

Snowy Owl Captain Joe and Sons ©Kim Smith 2015

PAWTUCKAWAY STATE PARK ADVENTURE

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Pawtuckaway State Park ©Alex Hauck copyFundy Cove at Pawtuckaway Lake – Alex Hauck Photo

Only about an hour and half northwest of Cape Ann, Liv, Matt and Alex had a great time hiking at Pawtuckaway State Park yesterday. Located in southeastern New Hampshire, the park is named for Pawtuckaway Lake and Pawtuckaway Mountains, which are a circular rocky range that form the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dike dating from the Cretaceaous era.

Pawtuckaway-topo

Volcanic Ring Dike

There are a number of trails in varying in length. They opted for the 11 mile route which included several summits.549NOTICEMAP

Pawtuckaway State Park lies within the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion that also includes Cape Ann.

 

 

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Northeastern Coastal Forests Ecoregion