My View of Life on the Dock
What a treat, these last lingering days of Indian Summer! I am trying to get out of doors as much as possible to enjoy the fleeting amber-gold moments. The photos below were taken standing at the mouth of the Annisquam, looking towards Wingaersheek Beach.
All the excitement about today’s purported UFO landing, in reality named WT1190F (but irresistibly dubbed WTF911) and, nothing happened! The six ton mystery object was expected to land in a shower of debris off the the Sri Lankan coast this morning at 6:30.
Read more about WTF911 at astronomer Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy blog here.Â
The official trailer for The Finest Hours, a true story, and thought to be one of the most daring rescues in the history of the US Coast Guard.
One of my best friends, Donna Casey, was one of the costume designers for the film. She lives in Los Angeles but was here in Massachusetts last fall shooting for many weeks at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy and then onto Chatham in December. It was wonderful to have Donna home and she had lots of humorous stories to share about the trials of filming in waist-deep water for several months.
Set for release in January 2016, the film looks to be a real thriller!! The Finest Hours stars Chris Pine as Boatswains First Class Bernard Webber and Casey Affleck as Ray Sybert.
The Finest Hours, based on the book of the same name, is the story of the rescue mission off the Chatham coast after two oil tankers, the SS Pendleton and SS Fort Mercer were split apart during a nor’easter.
Bow section of the SS Pendleton, February, 1952
What is a Monarch Butterfly explosion? The butterflies migrate to Mexico to keep from freezing to death in northern climates. The air is cool and moist in the trans-Mexican volcanic mountains, cool enough to keep them inactive and in a state of sexual immaturity, called diapause, but not so cold that they will freeze. As spring approaches and the Earth’s temperature begins to rise, the butterflies sleeping in the oyamel fir forests need to get out of the hot sun. Millions explode from the trees, drink water from nearby mountain streams, and move to a cooler, shadier spot on the mountain.
I hope you’ll come join our program Thursday night at 7pm at the Sawyer Free Library. We’ll be talking all things Monarchs including the current status of the butterfly’s migration, habitat destruction here in our own community, and most importantly, ways in which we can all help the Monarch possibly survive the warming of the earth.
We will be premiering the trailer for my forthcoming film about the Monarchs, too (also titled Beauty on the Wing). I hope to see you there!
For more information, visit the Programs page of my website and the Sawyer Free Library Facebook page.
Don’t miss Jason Grow’s stunning Cape Ann World War II Veterans photography show on exhibit at Kyrouz Auditorium and open specially today, Veteran’s Day, from noon to four o’clock.
If you have a relative who served in WWII, bring a copy of a photo of them for the Memory Wall and post it (please don’t bring originals, they won’t be returned).
“This year, 2015, marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Thousands of men and women from Cape Ann – Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Essex – served our nation during World War II. More than 5,600 of roughly 25,000 residents from Gloucester alone joined the conflict serving in every branch of the military. Of those, 119 never made it home. As we recognize the end of that great conflict, we have to acknowledge that fewer and fewer of Our Greatest Generation remain. Their actions, their history, and their stories are an integral part of who we are as a nation. Though we continue to see conflict in the world, with men and women stepping up to serve our nation, it is unlikely that we will ever see such an epic, world-wide conflict again. My goal has been to photograph these remaining veterans from, or who now call home, Cape Ann, to honor and recognize their service to our country, and their place in our history. These are ordinary men and women who were called upon to do, at times, extraordinary things. To all our veterans, from every conflict, thank you. Currently on display at Kyrouz Auditorium in Gloucester City Hall – Gloucester Massachusetts – during business hours, through November.” To see the portfolio of WWII Veterans, visit Jason’s website here.
Daybreak from around Niles Pond, Brace Cove, and Henry’s Pond in Rockport.
Niles PondÂ
Brace Rock Daybreak
https://instagram.com/p/9yHooODyuX/
Brace Cove
Mr. Swan Morning Preening
Mr. Swan left Niles Pond yesterday morning and although he flew in his usual direction towards Henry’s Pond, he did NOT fly to Henry’s, which had become his habit. I did not see him at Henry’s, Niles, or the harbor this morning either. Perhaps he has flown to another region in search of a new Mrs. Swan. We can only hope!
See additional photos here of Mr. Swan, dead skunk, and more ~ Continue reading “SUNRISE SCENES FROM EASTERN POINT AND HENRY’S POND WITH MR. SWAN UPDATE”
Please join us Tuesday evening, November 10th, at 7pm at the Manchester Community Center for a screening and Q and A, sponsored by the Seaside Garden Club. This event is free and open to the public. I hope to see you there!
More often we see cows grazing in Ipswich, not along 127A in Rockport. I think I’m in love with these wonderfully friendly cows! They were nuzzling up to each other, pointedly asking to be licked. The smaller cow on the left licked the larger cow until it fell asleep, standing up! They were all doing this communal licking, which looked more like a massage-lick because their tongues are so thick and muscular. The eight cows have been grazing at Waring recently and I believe they are from Seaview Farm.
See more photos here Continue reading “COWS GRAZING AT ROCKPORT’S WARING FIELD!”
North Shore 104.9 and State Senator Bruce Tarr and Representatives Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Brad Hill will join The Open Door in a one-day Food Drive Extravaganza! Drop by with food donations at these locations:
In Gloucester:
Market Basket at Gloucester Crossing
Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue
Stop & Shop on Thatcher Road
In Ipswich:
Shaw’s on High Street in Ipswich (for Ipswich Food Pantry)
Market Basket in Rowley (with the help of the YMCA and will help benefit Acord Food Pantry)
Items most needed: Cereal, 100% juice, tuna, peanut butter.
If you would like to volunteer, hit us up at info@foodpantry.org
Stevens and Willa Brosnihan
Charming felt ornaments
Shop Present for beautiful and fun handmade artisan Christmas presents for the special someones on your holiday gift list! Located at 120 Main Street (next to Passports and Harbor Yoga), Present pop up shop is open until midday Christmas Eve, everyday of the week Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays from noon to 5pm. Stay tuned for info about special Ladies, Mens, and Kids Night upcoming events.
Schuylar demonstrating Michele’s luminescent sea creatures that glow!
Greg Cook and Wife Kari Percival with son Ulysses
Luxuriously thick mittens created from vintage sweaters.
Artist’s work for sale at Present: Amanda Cook, Michele Del Vecchio, Pam Lolly, Jill Josephson, Twin Light Studio (Erin and Scott Place), Stevens Brosnihan, Deborah Gray, Brittan Gray, Elizabeth Grammas, Camilla MacFadyen, Brittany Ashforth, Emma Scully, Peter Lacy, Stephanie Mason, Jessica Demarjian, Sharon Lowe, Mary Rhinelander, and Celia Gibson.
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE Continue reading “PICS FROM PRESENT’S GRAND OPENING!”
https://instagram.com/p/9yk1RbDyuR/
Milkweed Munching Monarchs
Although scientists have long known that the toxic sap that flows through milkweed veins, called cardenolides, can make a bird very sick if it attempts to eat a Monarch caterpillar, it was unclear whether the butterfly’s acquired adaption to the toxicity was a side effect that allowed the caterpillar to eat the milkweed or had developed separately as a defensive mechanism against predators. A Cornell University study recently published in Proceedings B of The Royal Society Publishing reveals that they have indeed evolved to weaponize milkweed toxins! Thank you so much to Maggie Rosa for sharing “The Scientist” article and you can read more about it here.Â
“Monarch butterfly caterpillars have evolved the ability to store toxins known as cardenolides, obtained from their milkweed diet, specifically to make themselves poisonous to birds, as has at least one other species of milkweed-munching caterpillar, according to a study published Wednesday (November 4) in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
“This finding is fascinating and novel,” Stephen Malcolm, a professor at Western Michigan University who studies cardenolides but was not involved in the new research, wrote in an email to The Scientist. “It is exciting to have evidence for the importance of top-down influences from predators.” Continue Reading
Please join me Thursday evening, November 12th, at 7pm at the Sawyer Free Library for my illustrated talk, Beauty on the Wing ~ Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Meadow Anderson and Monarch Caterpillar
US COAST GUARD PHOTO
A lobster boat caught fire off the coast of Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Friday morning according to the United States Coast Guard.
They say the operator of the “Dawn Breaker” attempted to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher, but could not keep up with the flames.
The operator contacted officials with his exact location after activating a personal locator beacon, then jumped from the 28-foot ship. A good samaritan aboard a skiff safely pulled him out of the water in less than 15 minutes.
The operator was brought back to shore, where he was evaluated by EMTs.
It is unclear how the ship caught fire, but the Coast Guard called the operator a “true professional mariner” and said he did everything right after the mishap.
From NECN and CBSLocal
Some favorite images from Tuesday night ‘s election event at City Hall were of the hopeful and pensive faces of friends and families waiting for results. Best wishes and congratulations to all the candidates for jobs well done!
Maria and Giuseppe Cracchiolo
Jamie, Connie, and Joe Orlando
Marianne Paquette
Charles Ryan
CAPE ANN TV INTERVIEWS SEFATIA!
See More Photos Here Continue reading “CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR SEFATIA ROMEO THEKEN AND ALL THE WINNING CANDIDATES!!!”
Rick Roth writes,
I know it was a while ago now, but we did have a very nice pumpkin carving session the other week there. Good crowd. Lots of great pumpkins. Â Check ’em out on the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team facebook page.
Saturday  November 7, 2015  9am-4pm
Green Energy & Sustainability Fair
Gloucester High School Field House. Â We’ll be there with a bunch of snakes, and maybe some frogs and salamanders. Â This may be our last event of the year. Â We do have a couple volunteers, but we need more.
Please get in touch if you can help out.
Good Morning Gloucester 