Author: Pat D

Many of you know we have been gallivanting across the northeast lately for a number of joyous family events. So it was an extra treat to spot an unusual (perhaps rare) leucistic red tailed hawk along the way. We have been on high alert for snowy owls so that was our first guess, but it was apparent this is definitely a hawk with unusual coloration. As a favor to me, he flew off in such a way as to display plumage, so enjoy this unusual sight. For additional photos and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

Since we stopped at Turtle Alley for a special gift, it seemed only fair to also go to Nichols Candy when I needed some special sweets for a baby shower. It always feels so cozy and homey in there and the staff is exceptionally helpful. I successfully selected a bucket of sweet treats for the shower and lingered a bit looking at the tempting treats. Thanks Nichols!

Please mark your calendars and join the Cape Ann Makers Market event at the Cruiseport in one week! Pat D’s Photos will be on hand as will Ardizzoni Photography, Cape Ann Sea Salts, Hold Fast and many other favorite vendors. Looking forward to seeing you there and at the many other upcoming holiday events!

The ocean reflected my mood one day recently: a little bit blue and a little bit roiled up! Maybe you need a dose……

I took a little walk around the Marine Railways on Rocky Neck recently just to see what there was to see. Thought you might like to check it out too!

We impulsively decided to stop at 525 on Lexington Ave for dinner recently and it was a great choice! It is so nice to have a nearby spot that is so comfortable, cozy and welcoming so kudos to Tammy and the crew for making that happen. I had the Haddock Francese and Jim ordered Seafood Marinara. The menus are changing over to the winter but I welcome the heartier choices when it’s so chilly and dark. The place was nearly full early on a Thursday evening which is great to see. Shout out to our server Kirsten who juggled her tables admirably.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Snowy owls have begun to appear! We found this owl resting in the gorgeous sunshine yesterday a bit north of Cape Ann. I have a good feeling about this season for snowy owls in our area. **I will repeat what I have previously stated for anyone concerned about the owl’s well being: I have a nice long lens and I zoom with my lens and not my feet in order to respect the wildlife. Some of these images are cropped.**

Since we were in the vicinity, we decided it was appropriate to try out an Irish pub for lunch after our tour of the Titantic exhibit, so we stopped at MJ O’Conners Back Bay on Columbia Ave for lunch. You might remember that we visited Ireland last spring and the first thing I noticed when I walked into O’Conners was that I felt like I had landed back in Ireland again. I loved it! Although there were no Irish accents to be heard on this occasion, we enjoyed our lunch very much. I ordered Guiness Onion Soup (in honor of the French Onion Soup tour) and corned beef/cabbage egg rolls. Jim got the chicken BLAT. The food filled us up and we went on our way to return home. The atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxing. It was a nice little change from our usual routine AND it reminded us of Ireland.

Like many others, I have always been quite fascinated with the fateful story of the great ocean liner Titanic, so it was a no-brainer when I saw there was an artifact exhibit coming to Boston. We bought tickets and traveled to the Castle at Park Plaza to see it. We’d been to this venue a couple of other times and they do a great job with events such as these so we knew it would be well done. And it was. You approach the boarding area through a kind of alley way set up to look like the docks (it’s actually a little confusing for a minute that the signs lead you to this alley). You are given a “boarding pass” that lists an actual passenger and a few details about their background and journey to this point. At the end you can scan your boarding pass to find out the fate of your passenger.

Visitors wander through a number of areas filled with photos, sounds, touch displays, and videos. Perhaps the most moving and impressive displays are those that include artifacts from the sunken vessel. I was most moved by the everyday items retrieved such as cash, eyeglasses, buttons, hairbrushes etc. These evoked the everyday lives shattered by this tragedy in a way no other movie or book has ever done for me. It’s a great idea for the history buff in your life. Further info at this link.

We have several joyous family events coming up and they call for a few treats so we made a stop at Turtle Alley on Rogers St. to load up on something special for someone special. It’s always such a treat to go in there with the yummy chocolate smells, prettily wrapped candies and assorted fun stuff.

While we were out and about these week, we came across Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Of course we had to stop and it turned out to be quite a delightful side excursion. We are Mass Audubon members so admission was free but the rates are modest. It’s a great spot for a family outing with youngsters (we plan to take the grandson next time he visits). This working farm and sanctuary are only about an hour away. There are enough trails, activities and sights to make the trip well worthwhile. The farm animals alone will keep the children engaged. There are a number of birds and animals on display in a zoo-like manner which appear to be very well cared for and fascinating. AND there are meats and other farm fresh items available for purchase. Yes, I realize it’s “off island” but if you’re looking to entertain visiting children, this is a good take.

Welcome update from Fleur Cuisine!

We saw a random Facebook post referencing “Ponyhenge” , a roadside collection of carefully arranged, previously loved hobby horses. This sight is on a rather rural road in Lincoln MA and you are not likely to stumble on it accidentally. It was a lovely day but a bit windy so the horses appeared to be rocking along on their own as we took a look around. It’s not a large area, smaller than I was anticipating but jam packed with all manner of rocking horses. You’ll notice a Radio Flyer as well as a Flexible Flyer. It’s my understanding that these occasionally get re-arranged. It’s obviously well tended (some have ties and scarves!) even if just a little creepy. For additional photos and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

A fellow volunteer at the Stage Fort Park Welcome Center (Cynthia I believe) recommended we try the Kalamata Greek Kitchen on Main St for breakfast so we did! I rarely am ready for a traditional breakfast during traditional breakfast hours, but on this day I was READY. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and Jim got blueberry pancakes. The pancakes (with REAL blueberries) was outstanding and my sandwich filled me up perfectly. Although this included photo makes it appear to be relatively empty, several people came for a planned morning gathering while we were there. I have had several lunches here since opening the store at 44 Main St and now I have 2 reasons to go: breakfast and lunch! Thanks for the tip, Cynthia!

I had everything set up at the shop and was settling in to accept customers and visitors when a very strong gust of wind tunneled down Main St. It completely knocked over my standing card rack and a new glass ornament display sending notecards flying on the wind down the street amongst the dry leaves. Luckily no one was struck by any of the debris and several people stopped to assist. I am very grateful to these very nice people but was so flustered that I did not thank them properly. So, thanks so much for the assist you lovely people. If you are one of these helpers, please stop back at 44 Main St and say hello. I’d like to gift you a pair of notecards (your choice). Also to celebrate a renewal in my faith with human kindness, all notecards will be on sale for $3 each until Thanksgiving. You can keep up with the current hours at 44 Main St on my Instagram Pat D’s Photos. Open this week Thursday Nov 14 from 11-5 or by reaching out in comments or on Messenger. Here’s some of the mess and some of the notecards on sale.

Pat D’s Photos has a limited number of calendars available and you should get yours sooner than later. Once they are gone, I do not plan to order more. Cape Ann Favorites 2025 is an 8 x 11 wall calendar full of favorite local photos each taken within the last year. The shop at 44 Main St will be on limited hours in the next several days, so this might be your best chance to snag your 2025 calendar.

2025 Cape Ann Favorites Wall Calendar

plus shipping or free local delivery

$25.00

As we drove through Essex, I spotted schooner masts at the Essex Shipbuilding Yard, so we stopped and got some lovely fall scenery I thought you might enjoy.

**If a predator catching prey is disturbing for you, you should skip this post.** We watched a patient and clever red tailed hawk hunt from a perch right outside our windows this week. It sat fairly still in the branch for some time before it swooped down for its prey. There was a decisive thud as it landed and caught the unsuspecting rodent. He then flew up to a nearby branch with its prize. A few minutes later, the same show began. Sit, Swoop, Retrieve to another nearby branch. It was a very impressive show of nature. There was another hawk calling from across the marsh and here you see this one responding. For additional pictures and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

I saw some tempting food photos in my feed so off we went to try Sam + Joe’s on Water Street in Danvers for a weeknight dinner. The atmosphere is cozy and family friendly. The bar area was hopping and we saw a whole bunch of pizzas come out of the kitchen. We did not order pizza though. I had pasta with sauce and sausage. Jim ordered stuffed pepper parm. We also got a stromboli to bring home for another dinner. We were very happy with the service and the food but it felt more like a nice spot for late afternoon pub style meal and libations. If I was in Danvers anyhow for something, I would definitely go again but I would not make a special trip from Gloucester for dinner. There’s no reason given the riches we have here on the island for wonderful dinner choices.

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