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."

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 10TH ANNUAL LOBSTER TRAP TREE BUOY AUCTION!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Photos from Art Haven’s Lobster Trap Tree Buoy Auction fundraiser.

STAR POWER – NANCY MARCIANO IN THE HOOD!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

My friend Nancy loves Snowies and especially Hedwig’s story. She drove over from Beverly this morning to see if she could see Hedwig and yes, there she was once again, perched on one of her favorite lookouts, the railing of the Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks.

Star to star–Nancy meets Hedwig and she is positively beaming 🙂

SNOWY OWL HEDWIG GOING POOP -BY KIM SMITH

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

I have along the way taken many photos of animals going pooh, quite incidentally, as it just happens. For some (childish) reason it always strikes me as mildly funny. One of the funniest is the Great Blue Heron–the bigger the bird, the greater the amount, and Great Blues are pretty big birds.

That Hedwig goes pooh seemingly so frequently means she is getting plenty to eat. This morning she arrived on the rocks a bloody mess (more signs of good eating) and took a luxuriously long bath in a puddle (posting those photos tomorrow when I have time too sort through). After bathing, she pooped several times before flying to higher ground.

Digestion in Owls

By Deanne Lewis

Like other birds, Owls cannot chew their food – small prey items are swallowed whole, while larger prey are torn into smaller pieces before being swallowed. Some Owl species will partially pluck bird and larger mammal prey.

Unlike other birds, Owls have no Crop. A crop is a loose sac in the throat that serves as storage for food for later consumption. Since an Owl lacks this, food is passed directly into their digestive system.

Now, a bird’s stomach has two parts:

The first part is the glandular stomach or proventriculus, which produces enzymes, acids, and mucus that begin the process of digestion.

The second part is the muscular stomach, called the Ventriculus, or gizzard. There are no digestive glands in the gizzard, and in birds of prey, it serves as a filter, holding back insoluble items such as bones, fur, teeth and feathers (more about this below).

Read More Here

 

HUGE SHOUT OUT TO CATHERINE RYAN, CAPE ANN READS ORGANIZER AND DIRECTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

There are so many to thank for the tremendous success of the Cape Ann Reads Book Fair and Celebration, but one huge extra special shout out goes to Catherine Ryan for all that she did to make the day sing.

Thank you Catherine ❤ ❤ ❤

 

Unfortunately I didn’t take very many photos today, but here you can see Mayor Sefatia giving accolades to Catherine for not only the tremendous job she did helping to launch and organize Cape Ann Reads, but for her role as the Mayor’s art liaison, and for all that she does each and everyday for the Cape Ann arts community.

Ribbon Cutting for the inaugural Cape Ann Reads celebration, the first of what promises to be an annual event.

MY NEW FRIEND KIKI <3

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Six-year-old Kiki from Essex came to Cape Ann Reads today with her Grandmom Susie to connect about Monarchs. Kiki successfully raised fifty Monarch butterflies this past summer, from eggs she collected herself in the wild. After they emerge from their chyrsalides, she brings the butterflies to places such as the Italian Garden at Crane Estate and gives them to people to release, along with a handout on how to raise Monarchs.Six-year old conservationist Kiki from Essex

SUPER FUN KID ACTIVITIES AT CAPE ANN READS TODAY AT CITY HALL!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

From noon to four this afternoon City Hall will be abuzz with a special celebration exhibiting the work of Cape Ann children’s book authors and illustrators. Each author has a table with their projects. Come meet and talk to the authors about their original stories. The illustrators have created art coloring sheets taken from the pages of the books to give to guests. The award ceremony, hosted by Mayor Sefatia, takes place at 1:30. This is a unique and new book fair created by Cape Ann’s four library directors, Deborah Kelsey (Gloucester), Deborah French (Essex), Sara Collins (Manchester), Cindy Grove (Rockport), and art director Catherine Ryan.

I am looking forward to seeing all the artists coloring sheets. My Monarch Butterfly project and documentary film Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly first incarnation was an illustrated book, then photo exhibit, and now film.

The illustration above is of a male and female Monarch mating. The Monarchs fly up into a tree and stay joined together, abdomen to abdomen, for about four hours. The blue butterflies are a cousin of the Monarchs, the Blue Tiger of India (Tirumala limniace), but you can color your butterflies anyway you see fit–I’d love to see a pair of rainbow Monarchs 🙂

Read more about the Cape Ann Reads celebration in a post by Catherine about Gail McCarthy’s Gloucester Times article here.

DON’T MISS THE ANNISQUAM VILLAGE PLAYERS THIRD ANNUAL WINTER CABARET!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Join past and present members of the Annisquam Village Players for an evening of live entertainment. Admission includes wine and appetizers. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Entertainment starts at 7:30. 

 

HAVE YOU TRIED PRANCERCISING-IT GETS YOU IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SENSUAL NATURE, WHILE ALSO GIVING YOU THE FITNESS CAPACITY TO KILL A MOUNTAIN LION

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Prancercising with JP

See more of JP’s videos here.

SNOWY OWL AERIAL FIGHT -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Snowy Owl Aerial FightHedwig arrived at Bass Rocks with the rising sun. Her face was smudged with blood from what I imagine was a satisfying breakfast. Off and on throughout the day, in between naps, she preened and groomed. By the end of afternoon her facial feathers were smooth and white.

After a day of grooming and resting, notice how much cleaner her face is at day’s end.A horde of crows arrived to harass Hedwig but she held her ground.

Hedwig crouching down while the crows were dive bombing

She jumped from the upper rock down to the lower rock just prior to taking off.

Late in the day, about the time when she would ordinarily take off to hunt, a cell phone person crept out onto the rocks, getting way to close to her. Hedwig was visibly uncomfortable and took off over the water. Suddenly and seeming from out of nowhere, Bubo came flying towards her. An aerial skirmish ensued but with no real contact. The battle appeared to be about establishing territory. Although taking place out over the water in the distance nevertheless, you can see the owl’s facial expressions were incredible; click on the photos to see larger images.

Bubo took over the rocky area near to where had been Hedwig’s perch for the day, while she flew further down the rocks.  

She perched on the the rocky beach, when the same cell phone person again got way too close, and caused her to flush a second time.

Perhaps this was just an average day in a Snowy Owl’s life but I was reminded once again that nearly every moment of a wild creature’s life is a struggle to survive.

SNOWY OWL WATCHING TIPS: The following are some helpful tips for watching Snowy Owls.

  1. Watch from a comfortable distance–comfortable for the bird that is. Nothing makes the Owls more stressed than people getting too close.
  2. Please keep children from throwing rocks towards the Snowy or anywhere within the vicinity of the Owl.
  3. Please don’t allow dogs to play near the Snowies.
  4. There have been reports of Snowies flying into cars. They often fly low when flushed and it is easy to understand why this may happen, especially as the Snowies are drawing so much traffic. Please be on the look out when you are in known Snowy Owl territory.
  5. Slamming doors, radios blasting, barking dogs, and loud mufflers all stress the Snowies.

HOW TO HELP THE CHEPULIS FAMILY, VICTIMS OF A TOTAL LOSS HOUSE FIRE

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

LINK TO CHEPULIS FAMILY HOUSE FIRE GO FUND ME PAGE

Bobbi Chepulis single mother of 4 children (3 highshool girls, 1 middle school girl and 1 boy in elementary school) were victims of a fire at their apartment this morning.

Thankfully her and her children are are all ok and safe. However they have lost all their belongings including all clothing. Her son ran out of the house without a jacket and shoes on his feet. They are absolutely desperate for any type of donations including clothes for her and her children.

Please help us raise some funds to try and get their life and belongings back together.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps.

SNOWY OWL BUBO HAS A BOOBOO -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Although Bubo appears to have an injury surrounding his left eye, it did not seem to affect his ability to see. I sent a photo yesterday to Erinn Whitmore and both she and Jodi Swenson confirmed that he’s probably okay at this point.

This afternoon he flew into Hedwig’s territoy, which had been hers all day, and after an aerial battle took place, he claimed her rock. I don’t know if it’s the light but Bubo’s eye does not look any better today. The crows and seagulls are vicious and unrelenting towards the Snowies, other raptors don’t want them in their territory, and they are battling each other–it’s easy to understand how an eye could become injured. Posting photos tomorrow of the Snowy battle.

Comparing right eye versus left eye.

COUNTDOWN TO CAPE ANN READS CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR AND CELEBRATION!!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

CAPE ANN READS BOOK FAIR is happening Saturday!

Don’t miss this wonderful celebration, the first of what is hoped to be a recurring fair. Cape Ann’s four library directors and Mayor Sefatia are planning a fantastic reception for the attendees, authors, and artists in what promises to be a super fun and unique new event. The fair will take place at Kyrouz Auditorium at City Hall from noon to four with the award ceremony scheduled for 1:30. See the list of authors and artists in the flyer below, but I just want to draw attention to several of my very favorite local artists, names that you will surely recognize, that are participating–Daisy Nell, Mary Rhinelander, Juni VanDyke, Sarah Kelly, Mary Faino, Alice Gardner–I think you get the idea of the caliber of work that is going to be exhibited. Shoutout to Catherine Ryan for all that she is doing to make this fantastic and original celebration possible. When you see her, please give her a huge thank you. 

I hope to see you there!

SNOWY OWL FIGHT AND HEDWIG AND BUBO WEEKEND UPDATE -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Hedwig preparing for take-off.

Reports by several photographers have come in that early Sunday morning Hedwig and Bubo had a tremendous fight. They were going at it talon to talon and the feathers were flying. This is normal behavior amongst Snowy Owls. They are not a mated pair; Hedwig arrived at Bass Rocks weeks earlier than Bubo, and Snowy Owls don’t migrate together. The two were most likely fighting over territory. As a matter of interest, we generally see more males in our region because the female Snowies are stronger and better fliers and they often stake out territory further north, closer to their Arctic home base.

Bubo after the fight.

The two Snowies retreated, spending the remainder of the day on the Atlantic side of Bass Rocks. Bubo was perched out in the open opposite the Inns, while Hedwig stayed tucked under the shelter of a rock outcropping.

At dusk they both flew to their favorite perches to begin a night of hunting. Hedwig was unfortunately being dive-bombed by a single crow and Bubo may have been chased from the area by a bunch of crows. Monday morning, as of this writing, only Hedwig was seen.

SNOWY OWL WATCHING TIPS: The following are some helpful tips for watching Snowy Owls, reposted from yesterday.

  1. Watch from a comfortable distance–comfortable for the bird that is. Nothing makes the Owls more stressed than people getting too close.
  2. Please keep children from throwing rocks towards the Snowy or anywhere within the vicinity of the Owl.
  3. Please don’t allow dogs to play near the Snowies.
  4. There have been reports of Snowies flying into cars. They often fly low when flushed and it is easy to understand why this may happen, especially as the Snowies are drawing so much traffic. Please be on the look out when you are in known Snowy Owl territory.
  5. Slamming doors, radios blasting, barking dogs, and loud mufflers all stress the Snowies.

Reader Amy Mcmahon shared the following blog post about observing signs of stress in owls Signs of Stress in Owls.

Many thanks to Amy for sharing!

Hedwig grooming her feet and talons.

Hedwig in flight

SHOUT OUT TO MIKE FORGETTE AND HIGH TIDE GLASS COMPANY!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Mike Forgette and Jonathan Moody

Thanks so much to Mike Forgette for taking the time to show me around the shop he co-owns with Jonathan Moody, High Tide Glass Co. The store was bustling and is cockablock full of cannabis related products including one-of-a-kind handblown art glass pipes, T-shirts, tinctures, salves, and art by local artists.

Sunday marked the one year anniversary of forming the company and as of September, Mike and Jonathan have been at their current location on Center Street. This month they began a a series of music events at the shop, the “4:20 Sessions” with Crooked Coast. Like High Tide Class Co. on Facebook and you can find out who their next guest artist is, scheduled for February 11th.

Mike Forgette and Ross Carlson

Mike, Connor Elston, and Ross

Located at 3 Center Street, up off Main Street around the corner from Passports, High Tide glass is in good company. Danielle Glantz’s Pastaio Via Corta is next door, K-9 Cuts across the street, and just a few doors up and around the corner is Sandpiper Bakery (try their twice-baked almond croissants, the absolute best around!)

Keane Kirvan Mural

MR. SWAN EXPLORING THE ANNISQUAM! -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A number of friends have been texting and emailing that they are seeing a swan all along the Annisquam. I suspected that it was Mr. Swan as I have seem him on the Annisquam, near the bridge and Cape Ann Marina after he lost his second mate. It would be swan-logical that he would head over to the Annisquam in search of open, fresh water because both Henry’s and Niles ponds are still frozen.

Thanks to Craig Kimberley, who texted a swan sighting in real time, I was able to get a closeup of the swan, and YES, it is Mr. Swan that many of our readers are seeing. Mr. Swan’s bill is uniquely marked and he has beautiful blue eyes, which is unusual for most Mute Swans seen in these parts. In the closeup photo above it is difficult to tell his eyes are blue. It’s much easier to notice when his eyes reflect sunlight, but trust me, if it were a black-eyed swan, you would not be able to distinguish the iris at all.

Thanks so much to Craig, Brianne, and facebook friends for sharing your Mr. Swan sightings, so very much appreciated 🙂

Craig Kimberley iPhone photo from this morning.

 The Annisquam River stretches from Annisquam Harbor on the north to Gloucester Harbor on south.

NOT ONE, BUT TWO SNOWY OWLS ON THE BACKSHORE, PERCHED WITHIN METERS OF ONE ANOTHER! -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Golden Eyes of the Snowy in the Golden Light of Sunset

Snowy Owls once again this January drew crowds along the backshore Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Fans were treated to not one, but two Snowies, and for quite a good amount of time they were perched within meters of one another–the paler owl (most likely a male) sat atop the corner of the Ocean Inn and the owl with heavily barred feather patterning (most likely a female) perched at the top of a phone pole.

With the clear distinction between the owl’s feather patterns I think we could name the Snowies–the female, Hedwig (thank you Michele for the suggestion) and the male, Bubo. The scientific name for the Snowy Owl is Bubo scandiacus and the name Bubo may help us remember that fact.

The photos were taken Saturday and I’ll have time to post Sunday’s tomorrow.

Notice how perfectly Bubo blends amidst the surrounding rocks.

It’s no wonder why the Snowies are drawing such crowds. Most owl species are nocturnal; Snowy Owls are diurnal, which means they hunt during daylight hours. It is logical when you think about the continuous daylight of the Arctic, they must be able to hunt during the day. Snowy Owls wintering in our region hunt during both the day and night, depending on what type of prey they are after.

SNOWY OWL WATCHING ETIQUETTE: The following are some helpful tips for watching Snowy Owls. You will get better photographs and you won’t stress out the Snowies.

  1. Watch from a comfortable distance–comfortable for the bird that is. Nothing makes the Owls more stressed than people getting too close.
  2. Please keep children from throwing rocks towards the Snowy or anywhere within the vicinity of the Owl.
  3. Please don’t allow dogs to play near the Snowies.
  4. Slamming doors, radios blasting, barking dogs, and loud mufflers all stress the Snowies.

Hedwig and Bubo have an ability to tolerate some human activity nonetheless, we want to help them survive and protect their time here on our shores. When Snowies are perching, it’s not for our enjoyment (although beautiful) but because they are either resting or on the look out for their next meal.  After all, if they have a good hunting season and survive the winter, perhaps they will return next year!

 

Fellow photographer friend Dave shared the above photo. You can see the guy is waaaayyyyy too close to Bubo and has caused him to flush.

Snowy Owls have wonderfully expressive faces. Hedwig’s eyes lit up in the setting sun.

Female Hedwig perched in the distance on the far left, male Bubo perched on the corner of the Inn, to the right.