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."
Coming in for a Landing
Cabbage White Butterfly and Marsh Milkweed
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Sun Rising Over East Gloucester, Black Sheep, and MarStina
Photos from a foggy September morning sunrise, taken from the Fort, looking towards East Gloucester. 
Mar Stina
I love filming and photographing around Gloucester all year round, but especially at this time of year when I find the light to be sublime. The moisture in the air provides a gossamer veil that magnifies the supernal quality of light; even the most ordinary of daily activities captured finds added beauty.
Black Sheep Fishing Boat
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Today’s Good Harbor Beach Sunrise
Beach Grass ~ Good Harbor Beach
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Today’s Good Harbor Beach Sunrise
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Steve Almond and Duckworth’s Fabulous Writer’s Book Club Event
Ken Duckworth
Last night guests enjoyed a beautiful dinner prepared by Ken Duckworth, followed by a lively book discussion led by Steve Almond.
Author Steve Almond, left, and Eastern Point Lit House Co-founder Chris Anderson
The The Writer’s Book Club event was hosted by Duckworth’s and Eastern Point Lit House. The book of the evening was Stoner, written by John Williams, and it is Steve’s all time favorite. He had with him his own worn copy, from which he read several passages and quoted often. For the most part, the group adored the book and, after listening to the discussion while photographing, I am putting it at the top of my list of books to read this winter when design work and filming slows down.
Steve Almond, his wife Erin Almond, 11-week-old baby Rosalie, and Lit House Co-founder Jenn Monroe leaning into the stroller.
This year there are two more upcoming Writer’s Book Club book discussions hosted by Duckworth’s and Eastern Point Lit House. Last night the house was packed and I suggest you purchase your tickets now. I simply can’t imagine a more enjoyable dinner/literary event, with Duckworth’s warm and welcoming ambiance, Ken’s beautiful and divinely delicious dinners, along with discussing great books. And here’s a scoop for GMG readers: Ken Duckworth himself is going to be cooking and leading the November 17th discussion!!! As I said–better order your tickets now!
Co-hosts Chris and Michelle Anderson
Previous Post on GMG about Steve Almond:
Don’t Miss Steve Almond at Duckworth’s!
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Reminder: Steve Allen at Duckworth’s Today at 5:00
Join Steve Almond today at 5:00 at Duckworth’s Bistrot for a lively discussion of Stoner by John Williams.
For ticket information visit the events page of Eastern Point Lit House
For More information about the event see previous GMG post: Don’t Miss Steve Almond at Duckworth’s!
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Where Are All the Monarchs?
Monarchs usually arrive in our region by the first week in July and go through several brood cycles. This year, barely any arrived. The Monarch’s sensitivity to temperature and dependence on milkweed make it vulnerable to environmental changes. Since 1994, U.S. and Mexican researchers have recorded a steady decline in the Monarch population in their overwintering grounds, with 2012-2013 being the lowest recorded to date.
Temperature change and habitat loss affect breeding success and longevity. Dr. Chip Taylor, a leading Monarch researcher at the University of Kansas reports that the widespread adoption of GMO corn and soybean crops resistant to herbicides, along with with intensive herbicide use, coupled with the federal government’s incentivized expansion of corn and soy acreage for the production of biofuels have caused a significant drop in milkweed throughout the heart of the Monarch’s range. Lack of milkweed equals no Monarchs. “Monarch/milkweed habitat has declined significantly in parallel with the rapid adoption of glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybeans and, since 2006, the rapid expansion of corn and soy acreage to accommodate the production of biofuels,” Taylor wrote on May 29.
Monarchs Nectaring at Seaside Goldenrod
What can we do? Encourage conservation organizations that conserve Monarch habitat, plant milkweed, plant nectar plants, and raise caterpillars. Hopefully the weather next spring and early summer will be more conducive to the Monarch’s northward migration and breeding success, and if and when the Monarchs arrive, they will find our milkweed plants.
Monarch Butterflies Nectaring at New England Asters
If anyone sees a Monarch, please email me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com or leave a comment in the comment section.
Update #2: Reader Jude Writes the following ~
Hi Kim,
I have maybe 30milkweed plants in the front yard. I would be happy to harvest the seeds, are there places you know of that would be willing or have a large enough property to seed them? Can you harvest them as soon as the pods pop? I remember as a kid finding the most beautiful cocoon I have ever seen. I haven’t seen many butterflies at all and of the ones I have seen are not Monarchs.
My reponse:
Hi Jude, I am putting it out there in GMG Land that if anyone would like your milkweed seed pods to please contact me.
Yes, you can harvest immediately after the pods pop, as a matter of fact, I recommend doing just that and sowing your seeds in the fall. The easiest method is to lightly scratch the surface of the soil where you wish the milkweed to grow. Scatter the seeds and water. That’s it.
Thank you so much for writing. Hopefully, we’ll find a home for your milkweed seeds.
Update: For more information, see previous GMG posts on Monarchs and Milkweed:
How Exactly is Monsanto’s Roundup Ravaging the Monarch Butterfly Population?
News Release: MONARCH WATCH ANNOUNCES ‘BRING BACK THE MONARCHS’ CAMPAIGN
Cape Ann Milkweed Project
GloucesterCast Podcast 4/25/13 With Guest Kim Smith
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Good Harbor Beach Volleyball
I often see this group playing volleyball together at Good Harbor Beach when out walking my sweet dog Rosie. Yesterday, more and more friends joined as the sun was setting and it looked like tons of fun. Thanks guys for not minding my taking snapshots!
Good Harbor Beach
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Truck Wanted to Purchase
4WD truck wanted. Please contact me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com. Thanks if you have a lead!
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Theresa and Allyson Stern Trawler
Yesterday morning after filming the sunrise at Good Harbor I headed over to the harbor to film the Gloucester fleet’s comings and goings. The Theresa & Allyson was bound for port and what a beauty! She is a stern trawler, a type of dragger. You can read more about her owner, Allyson Jordan, and the boats origins here: Eat Local Fish. Also, found on the website is a concise history of New England ground fishing.
While filming, I am also photographing and plan to make more posts about our Gloucester fishing boats. I am not knowledgeable about ships and boats, but am very interested to learn, and love photographing them because they are beautiful. If I make an error in description or caption, please let me know. I would really appreciate your help–thank you!
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Beautiful Good Harbor Foggy Morning Sunrise, Snowy Egret, and Whimbrels
The sunrise in the lifting fog at Good Harbor Beach this morning looked at times more like a moonrise.
A lone Snowy Egret was eating and fluffing its feathers and a pair of Whimbrels (at least I think they were Whimbrels) were fishing and bathing along the tide pool edges.
Good Harbor Beach Gloucester
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Fields From Which Dreams Are Made
So many thanks to the Donovan Family for allowing me continued access to film and photograph B-roll for my Monarch film, at their beautiful…
Wildflower Field of Dreams
Skylar’s Field
Male American Goldfinch Eating Seed Heads ~ click to view larger
Juvenile Blue Heron
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
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Blurred Lines: Plagiarism, or Not?
Marvin Gaye’s family has accused Robin Thicke’s smash single “Blurred Lines” of plagiarizing “Got To Give It Up,” the 1977 R&B dance song. Thicke has stated he was inspired by “Got To Give It Up,” and “Blurred Lines” evokes 70’s funk music, but does it go to far?
What do you think?
Link Shared by Rob Hall: Everything is a Remix
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Don’t Miss Steve Almond at Duckworth’s!
Join Steve Almond on September 15th at 5:00 at Duckworth’s Bistrot for a lively discussion of Stoner by John Williams.
Steve Almond is the author of ten books of fiction and non-fiction, three of which he published himself. His memoir Candyfreak was a New York Times Bestseller. His short stories have appeared in the Best American and Pushcart anthologies. His most recent collection, God Bless America, won the Paterson Prize for Fiction and was short-listed for The Story Prize. His journalism has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, GQ, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and elsewhere.
For ticket information visit the events page of Eastern Point Lit House
Duckworth’s Bistrot at 197 East Main Street, Gloucester
Eastern Point Lit House and Duckworth’s Bistrot invite you to join your favorite authors as they sit down over a glass of fine wine and fresh, seasonal appetizers to discuss a book that moves them. This is not a lecture–guests are strongly encouraged to engage in the discussion. Our goal is to have fun in a thoughtful way. Make sure to reserve your spot early. Seating is limited, and you’ll want to give yourself time to read the book of the month.
Michelle serving some of Nicole’s ‘Sweet Treats’ at Duckworth’s
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Eastern Point Lit House is a center dedicated to expanding the literary arts in their home of Gloucester, Massachusetts, as well as the greater world. We want to help you tell your story and name your world.
Located in Gloucester, Massahcusetts, America’s oldest fishing village and arts colony, we find inspiration every day surrounded by stunning beauty in all forms. We hope that one day you’ll be able to join us for a workshop, a writing retreat, a reading, or simply a cup of coffee. All are welcome.
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Photos of Steve Almond courtesy google image search.
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The Beauty of Pollination
Bees Pollinating Sunflower
Friends and GMG readers share the most beautiful treasures, including the following film, sent in by Mary Weissbaum. Mary writes, “The hummingbird doing rolls chasing a bug is neat! Watch closely and check out the baby bat under its mama (@ ~2 min, 38 sec). Unreal !! If you never knew what goes on in the garden when you aren’t paying attention, watch this – some of the finest filmography you will ever see.” Thank you Mary!
I have posted this video before and think it is worth seeing again, and again!
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Nights on the Neck
Nicky Avelis with Hannah and Craig Kimberly, with Michael Toby on steel drums.
JoeAnn Hart reading an excerpt from her recently published novel Float.
Judith and Gordon Goetemann listening to JoeAnn’s reading held at the Goetemann Gallery, Rocky Neck.
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Nose in a Wheelbarrow
Nose in a Wheelbarrow ~ HighLine, NYC
I didn’t intend to create a theme about noses, but took this snapshot while visiting my daughter in NYC and couldn’t resist sharing.
Update: Read More About “Nose Job,” by New York-based artist Andra Ursuta’s, and the sculpture exhibit “Busted,” at the HighLine, from now through April 2014, at the HighLine website here.
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Pick Your Own Flowers at Long Hill
Last Thursday I spent the day photographing gardens around the north shore and couldn’t resist stopping at Long Hill and Sedgwick Garden in Beverly to pick a bouquet.
Annual Rudbeckia
Carpenter Bee and Phlox
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Old Noses
Good Morning Gloucester 