Author: Pat D

Following please find a couple of shots taken yesterday at different points during a changing-weather day. Also, as an added note, our boss Joey allows contributors to shamelessly self-promote our own projects…..I’d like to introduce Pat D’s Photos and Adventures Facebook page where I intend to post stories and additional photos about some of the things in my life (some not Gloucester related) that I care about. My most recent post there tells a little story about the unfortunate dolphin behind Captain Hook’s yesterday, but there are other stories you might like if you enjoy my daily GMG posts. Thanks for checking it out at https://www.facebook.com/Pat-Ds-Photos-and-Adventures-105596528079294/

For those “from away”, maybe you’ll like to see some scenes from Good Harbor Beach and the Back Shore just prior to high tide today Jan 16 2021. Not long after, the sun came out!

The early part of the day yesterday was quite pretty, especially on the water. We saw the Coast Guard, Midnight Sun, Marilyn Louise, Cat Eyes, Aaron & Alexa and others.

It was a 2 raptor day recently. which is a huge bonus for me. First, we got close up and personal with a hawk near Salisbury State Reservation. Then we went to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, hiked for about a mile into the blowing sand and wind (uphill both ways of course) to capture this snowy owl. Quite a day for us.

Some scenes from Rockport taken recently on another lovely day in paradise.

This is Part II of the new lens report. Of course, I had to take my crystal ball (CB) around for the ride when we were testing out the new 50 mm lens. I think my grandson won’t be the only star in the show with this new lens. Here are a few shots from around the Cape. I think you will recognize most locations.

I finally took the dive and got the Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens that our boss Joey C strongly recommended. My main purpose is to take better pictures of the grandson, but we took it out for a spin to see how she works. Lane’s Cove was one of the settings where this new lens seemed to shine! The day had been a little grey, but the sun unexpectedly shone as if it knew what I was doing……

We found ourselves in Magnolia a few days ago in time for sunset. Our friend Donna Ardizzoni is my mentor in this special time of day in Magnolia, and, of course she was there as well taking her own gorgeous shots. Some of these are a little different than her view and I thought you might enjoy them.

It was a very pretty day at Plum Cove Beach recently. It’s almost always pretty, so it’s a fair bet…. Anyhow, this post is for one of my special followers for whom Plum Cove is a favorite. I thought you might be missing it1

Several days ago, we stopped to check the progress of rebuilding Essex Seafood on Eastern Ave in Essex. It’s coming right along and looks like it will be “bigger and better”! Great news for all of us. Check them out on Facebook under Essex Seafood.

I’d been wanting to get a shot of the decorated Schooner Adventure from the water side, so off we went to give it a try. This was taken from the North Shore Art Association lot. I am not settled on which view I prefer so I am sharing both. I love the skyline and the clouds.

We didn’t want to startle 2021 too much, so we decided on a quiet “dinner and a show” kind of day early in the New Year. We started out at Gloucester Cinema with a showing of News of the World with Tom Hanks. We were the only ones in the theater so we felt nice and safe. Very reasonably priced, nice seats, socially distanced…great movie too!

Then we went to the Fox Creek Tavern in Ipswich for dinner. This has become a favorite stop for us. We started with the gigantic Irish nachos, then Jim had the sliders and I had lemon cilantro chicken tacos (out of this world good). Chocolate creme pie in drink form for dessert! Win Win!

We had lunch today at Sugar Magnolia’s on Main Street today (‘cuz it tastes good!) and I’m glad we stopped. We learned that their last day will be Saturday Jan 9 until reopening in March. So, if you’ve been thinking about take out or sit down, you should make your plans this week. Amy, a podcast listener, skillfully and efficiently handled orders as well as phone calls for takeout. Our lunch was fantastic. Jim had the Western Ave Grilled Cheese special…yum…and I had the Buffalo Chicken wrap which is a go-to favorite of mine. Thanks, Amy, for the cookie. You were 100% correct about how good it was!

Yesterday Jan 5 2021:

There’s something magical about the moon and we thought the full moon rising might be worth a ride to Stage Fort Park. I think we made a good decision! December’s full “Cold Moon” rising last week. So hopeful every single time.

The setting sunlight was so pretty on the lighthouse and Paint Factory recently. I was so busy setting up for the moonrise that I almost missed it.

Remember when Adventureman came to Gloucester to finish his round-the-country run to raise money for children’s hospitals? That seems like an age ago, but he and his wife Anna announced today that they have become new parents to a baby girl Storm! Congratulations to Jamie and Anna. Welcome to the world Storm! We are very happy for you here in your sister city Gloucester MA.

From his Facebook page:

We decided to have the baby at home by the Christmas tree. Here’s a video of how that panned out, I’m not sure I’m the cool and calm type during labour.From a Dad’s perspective (did I just say ‘Dad’, wahooooooo!) it was honestly one of the most magical experiences that I’ve ever been a part of.Huge thank you to our doula, Alex from The Original Birth Connection and our other midwife Alex from the nhs.uk.And it goes without saying, I have so much love for my partner in crime, Anna McNuff after watching her bring a human into the world.We’d like to introduce you to our little girl, STORM!

Images from his Twitter page:

Follow him on Facebook or at his website.

I am among those who actively avoided those endless year recaps on the news stations this year. I did not need 2020 recapped in all it’s “highlights”, though I acknowledge the importance of remembering the past. As we collectively look forward to what the year will bring, here’s a little reminder of some of our local friends we can expect to see again soon.

And, if you are curious about the classic Auld Lang Syne verses, check out this interesting link.

Cheers and see you soon again, old friends!

The sun was hitting the lighthouses just right recently. They are so handsome! Check out The Last Lightkeepers on Amazon Prime ($2.99 rental but well worth it) which features Thacher Island and Paul St. Germaine in the first half of this fascinating documentary.

They never take the day…..thank you Coast Guard! Happy New Year!