Author: Pat D

Gary the Gannet (Northern Gannet) is a regular to the nesting grounds at Machias Seal Island. It’s a pretty woeful tale of this male Northern Gannet returning to the island year after year to build a nest to attract a female partner with NO success…..year after year….all we can imagine is that he must exhibit some serious Gannet red flags to the ladies to go so long without a partner. It gives the term empty nest new poignancy. He seems quite majestic to me, but I’m not a Northern Gannet. More photos and story details on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures.

We made our first visit to the newly opened Shipyard Tavern on Main St in Essex (formerly Ripple on the Water and Periwinkles) and it was a lovely experience. We went early-ish on a weekday and the outside deck was open and sprinkled with other diners. We chose to eat inside. There are plenty of staff on hand and we were well served by Caity. I ordered a BLT and Jim got seafood chowder and a smash burger. As you can see, the seafood chowder was chock full and we both enjoyed our sandwiches. Naturally, I had to try dessert for the sake of the blog: key lime pie and strawberry shortcake. The key lime was nice and tart and the shortcake almost too much to handle! It’s very nicely done over and I think you’ll enjoy the atmoshere. Their motto is “Come For The Food. Stay For the Views” which proved wise since we even had a schooner sighting!

I felt very badly for the driver of this vehicle in a local parking lot…….if you’re having a bad day, remember you could come back to this……

When was the last time you took a good look at this shack by the Dunfugin boat ramp? It’s so full of character and color, I just love it.

We went to The Lobster recently with Joey, Chris L and Zach Sears for the Monday specials (seen here) and I realized it was Margarita Monday! I got a raspberry margarita along with the nachos. The nachos are OUTSTANDING and you’re going to want to give those a try. Jim had meatball sliders from the special menu which he enjoyed very much. Cheers to Margarita Monday!!

Happy Father’s Day out there to all the dads, step-dads, granddads, uncles and father figures in our lives. This is my own dad as a youngster in Gloucester being held by his father. My dad was a firstborn, as am I. This influences your life in many uncounted ways but the most often mentioned is that firstborns tend to be leaders. This was true of my dad. He grew up in the Depression years here in Gloucester and this also had a major impact on his adult life. So I remember him today and I hope you will take a moment to thank any dads in your life while you have the chance.

The Sugar Magnolias food truck is hoping to open soon. Who will prevail in the handshake bet thrown down on the podcast between Chris L and Joey? They hope to open June 19 on Rogers St.

We took the opportunity on a nice day recently to stop by 51 Rocky Neck for dinner. We were very pleased with the level of service and quality of the food and drink. It’s a nice little respite on Rocky Neck and the atmosphere is open and friendly. I tried the short rib appetizer (highly recommended even as a meal) and a chopped salad. Jim had a lobster bake. It was all done to perfection….but, oh!….those ribs……outstanding. We’ll be back soon!

The Lunch Lady is a new food truck presented by our friends at 5-Star Phresh Phood. It will premiere in the former Cupboard parking area at Stage Fort Park during the June 21-22 Bunker Hill Reenactment along with other favorite food trucks and continue throughout the summer weekends. Genius!!! Best wishes Lunch Lady! **Images from The Lunch Lady Facebook page**

As of this writing, 2 of the 3 eggs from Annie and Squam’s nest near Lobsta Land have just hatched! It’s very likely the third will have hatched by the time you read this. You can follow along yourself at the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam. Thank you David Rimmer and Essex Greenbelt for the privilege of following this pair and their offspring every year! When I tuned in yesterday, one parent (Annie I think) was watching from nearby as the 2 babies bopped around in the nest by themselves. She soon returned and settled in. I’m sure a meal is on its way shortly. Enjoy the screenshots.

Listen as Michael DeKoster describes a unique opportunity to sail Ardelle for the Bunker HIll Reenactment. MaritimeGloucester.org/rev250sail for tickets and info.

I love ephemera! So I enjoy browsing at 80 Main Antiques & Ephemera (on Main St in Gloucester). Sabine, the owner, is always friendly and willing to help. I’ve been working on a little project and she’s been key in the development. She’s a great resource for such things! Anyhow, the shop is nicely set up with a variety of interesting items, many local. There’s a collection of Fred Bodin’s work (this is his previous location) and a great deal more as you can see here. I am a sucker for Depression glass so this is great fun for me. Perhaps it will be for you too.

We went to Delisi’s Red Skiff on Mt Pleasant Place in Rockport recently for a late morning breakfast. For a mid morning weekday, the place was steadily busy and I can see why. The service is efficient and friendly; the food yummy and reasonably priced. We enjoyed our basic eggs and bacon as well as the cinnamon swirl pancakes. You can follow them on Facebook for updates and info.

We celebrated Margarita Monday at the lovely and relaxing Beauport Hotel bar. It was a pretty day but still too chilly for me to sit on the deck so we sat at the bar. I enjoyed a spicy margarita with just enough zing. We also ordered crab dip which was a perfect accompaniment for our afternoon visit. I overlooked taking the initial photo and we had already started the deliciousness when this photo was taken. We are looking forward to future visits, perhaps to the rooftop deck for music over the summer!

Fishing boat activity is picking up in our harbor. We enjoy watching the working boats come and go. Here are New Shell II; Dunlin; and Money Shot returning home and some prep work at St. Peter’s Landing.

You may know I’m in Maine with Slonina Photography in search of puffins, lighthouses, sunsets and more. Here are some of the photos from our boat trip to Machais Seal Island to spend time with puffins, murres, razorbills, terns and gannets. (*my Italian friends who don’t like birds should maybe skip the photos…you’re welcome Sefatia*) The island is full of THOUSANDS of nesting birds and it’s a great opportunity for those of us that like puffins. I have over 1000 images, but here are just a few. More photos and story details can be found on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures.

The absolute hightlight of a morning FULL of stunning imagery was the opportunity to observe puffins (apparently) mating out on the water!!! I don’t think it often happens that this behavoir is observed by a humble visitor such as myself. More trip coverage next week after I return and get organized. If you see a particular image you like, please comment!

It’s not unusual for the Serenitee award program to through a bonus for $10 out to its program members. We recently took advantage of that offer and blended in another $10 bonus we had earned to go to Minglewood Harborside on Rogers St for dinner. The lovely Heather was our server and welcomed us warmly (big plus when we go somewhere) and gave us the new menus for consideration. I tried the Rachel sandwich and Jim had a smash burger (it was also $20 burger and a beer night–Thursdays). No steps have been lost in the development and execution of the new menu! Several old favorites remain with some new offerings to tempt you. There was live music to boot, so I highly recommend Minglewood especially for when you just want to relax.

Some of you are probably aware that I am currently on a photography trip to Lubec and Bar Harbor Maine. Puffins are the goal and a puffin post is coming soon, but first I had some observations to share about the Lubec area. In many ways, it reminds me of Gloucester: lobster boats, lighthouses, and memorials to lost fishermen. Although Lubec’s Fisherman’s Memorial is no where near the level of Gloucester’s, it’s still a somber reminder. There are lobster and scallop boats everywhere but no fishermen in the places we have been visiting (stunning, I know…) We were shown an interesting “farm” for capturing the herring that the lobster boats require which you see here as sticks standing upright in the water forming a kind of corral for the herring. Even the bait is an industry unto itself.

Hopefully I will be sharing other aspects of my 2025 Puffin Escapade in the upcoming days. You can always see further details and stories on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures…....there may even already be some puffin shots posted there! (a reward for those of you that read to the end of the post!)

We have recently seen our eagle friend in West Gloucester, monitoring the nest from nearby. I hope you will appreciate the close up of its talons as I believe it was planning to hunt from its perch. The prey won’t have a chance.

Sharing news from Sawyer Free Library: moving back soon to newly renovated home on Dale Ave.