Author: Pat D

Are you lucky enough to be among those who remember the thrill of a new hat for Easter?  And to recall wearing it proudly like a model on a runway? Those were the days, my friend…….from the Gloucester Daily Times March 24 1939; I do not recollect prices being under the $3.00 benchmark however……  Wishing you all a lovely Easter and Passover weekend.

Well, they aren’t plovers of any sort, but I was quite delighted to see the egrets return to our backyard marsh this week. I’ve been in New York, where we have a fair share of variety in our backyard wildlife, but it doesn’t bring the same joy to my heart that the Gloucester backyard birds bring.

This guy seems to be looking right at me, as if daring me to take the picture.

In addition to cardinal red, it’s a sure sign of spring to see a nice bright yellow. Easy to spot.

And also, my friends the egrets feasting in the recently flooded marsh.

Something went wacky when I tried to post this to the blog over the weekend and I’m pretty sure it didn’t get out there the way our posts normally do, so I am trying again! So, if you are thinking to yourself “I just saw this”, you might be right.

We are blessed on Cape Ann to have these lighthouses in our midst every day. These are for those who are far from home.

Straitsmouth

Ten Pound Island

Eastern Point

Annisquam

Very happy news that the Studio will be opening this week.

I think our backyard hawk nest may have eggs. I see a hawk in there nearly all day and I believe it to be a nesting female. Unfortunately I haven’t yet figured out a way to get a “bird’s eye view” of these eggs/hatchlings (though I am considering arranging for a bucket truck to assist…….kidding, or course) so I don’t have good photos to share of this little family. But here are some other recent hawk photos to bring them to your mind.  They are quite beautifully majestic.

Good Harbor Beach awaits summertime just like the rest of us.  Enjoy views like these while you can. I love the busy-ness of the “high season” on the beach, but the rest of the year is pretty darn wonderful also.

These seals are so much fun to watch! From a respectful distance of course…….

As the bridge construction project at one end of the boulevard is starting to wrap up, another project at the opposite end is getting underway. The former Morning Glory restaurant is being converted to the Yella Restaurant. Looking forward to welcoming them to town!

It was a lovely afternoon when I took a ride down to the Manufactory. Several sights caught my eye and I present them here. Pretend it’s a panoramic.

I had a great experience at Passports for lunch recently- the mimosa was especially refreshing. I’m told that was due to the orange juice, so I made sure I got plenty of vitamin C with the pastrami sandwich.

Strawberry shortcake makes me think “summer”. Deliciously made at Charlie’s with warm (!) biscuits and a mound of whipped cream. A couple of passers-by said “Boy, that looks good!” I am glad I asked for the whipped cream. Thanks, Charlie’s!

I was checking on the bridge construction project for our interested readers and came upon a big surprise: traffic lights changing to RED. Then came the familiar clangs and up went the bridge for the first time in a while in my presence. It was up quite a while and I presume they were testing something; I am guessing the construction is on schedule as planned.

I was happy to realize Lobsta Land is now open as I considered where to have dinner and I was apparently not the only one! I went early in the evening and found myself among many others with the same idea. It was like “Old Home Days” as workers and customers greeted each other happily but briefly as the staff was hustling around trying to accommodate everyone. It was great fun to watch.

The Cajun Blackened Haddock was delicious! I did ask them to go light on the spices since I don’t like my mouth to be on fire overtaking the haddock flavor. It was just the right blend for me. Looking forward to returning with GMG Jimmy!

I’ve been going through some of my photo files and though you might enjoy a few of my favorites. I think they scream “Gloucester!”

The neat, clean lines of dories are  consistently appealing to my eye and I hope you enjoy these I’ve taken over the years:

There’s something inherently beautiful about working boats on the water. But, I don’t have to tell you that, do I?

Ayn off Shore Road Magnolia

Risky Business leaving Rockport. Bugs, Sweat and Beers.

Sarah Ann coming home.

Even swans feel the need for a spring cleaning. There’s just something so beautiful about these wonderful birds on a sunny day.

Sure was nice seeing some color out on the water recently. Must be spring!

Clambers on the salt marsh had plenty of gull spectators.

I took a ride toward Wingaersheek Beach and spotted two egrets dining in the marsh. I was so happy to see them again, I had to pull over and take these pictures. I noticed the prominent green coloring near the eyes and found out later that this is a sign of their breeding season. If I had known that sooner, I would have put the camera away for their privacy!