Author: Pat D

Here’s your notice: there WILL be extra traffic and congestion Saturday and Sunday June 20-21 especially in the area of Stage Fort Park for the Battle of Gloucester re-enactment. Plan accordingly for extra time and patience.

This is my favorite bird tour of the year: Baby Birds! I have been on several bird photography tours with Cynthia Rand (Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.c.rand) and each has been informative and fruitful. Recently I went out with her again. I don’t know how she does it (it’s hours and hours of research in the field) but each time she introduces me to a new site and I see behaviors I’ve never observed before. The highlight of this tour was the pileated woodpecker nest (not on Cape Ann). The babies have fledged by now and hopefully on to a wonderful bird life. We also saw cygnets, ducks, peregrine falcon chicks, scarlet tanager and towhee. In particular, the towhee posed patiently for us and as soon as our attention was diverted from him, hopped to his nesting area which was behind us. It was as if he was distracting us with his posing in order to protect the nest. Nature is amazing. Thank you Cynthia for another great day! If you are a bird enthusiast or a nature photographer, I suggest reaching out to Cynthia via Facebook messenger to arrange your own tour. Additional photos and story details at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. Check it out here.

I was recently on a bird photography tour in search of baby birds but it turned out that it was these Black Crown Night Herons that kind of stole the show with their feeding antics in Winchester. It’s a popular location to observe water birds hunting and feeding. Naturally there are some antics and interesting behaviors shown so it seemed reasonable that they get a post of their own. The Great Blue Heron showed up to assert some dominance though we didn’t actually see any of them get fish.

I’ve been wanting to get back to visit Stone Zoo in Stoneham so GMG Jim kindly drove us in last week. It’s a pretty easy ride and we have a membership we like to take advantage of. (* and I kind of love their flamingos). We arrived to find several school groups in attendance…naturally as the end of the school year is coming soon. We decided to embrace the inevitable chaos and enjoy our visit. Which we did, as always.

But as retired teachers, it added to our enjoyment to watch the various school groups manage their field trip to the zoo. You have the middle schoolers dragging themselves along behind eager adult chaperones while some of the teachers at the back of the line keep urging them on and encouraging them to actually look at the exhibits. Eye rolls were featured everywhere with those groups.

Then you had the younger students who were clearly more enthusiastic. Their teachers seemed as exhausted as the students were excitable. There was a lot of skipping, loud oohs and ahhs, and happy chattering (not unlike some of the animals). From our relaxed and retired unaccompanied by kids point of view….it was so much fun to watch. Anyway, here are a few of the animals we saw that warm June morning. (photo cred to GMG Jim on the otter photo)

I believe Seaport Grille on Rowe Square takes the title for a “bottomless” margarita. The way this yummy pineapple jalapeno margarita is served makes it feel like the deliciousness will never end. Hats off Seaport Grille!

As I have mentioned, this Margarita Monday series is intended to share information about establishments that are open on Mondays which serve margaritas. So far this season we have visited Tonno, Beauport, Azorean in addition to Seaport Grille. Perhaps you have a suggestion for us? What’s your favorite?

Today is traditionally Flag Day and our local Elks will be commemorating the day on June 17. All are invited to the Atlantic Road Gloucester Elks. Image provided by the Elks 892 Lodge.

When you see these staged for installation, you know what’s coming soon!

We noticed a new vendor on Centennial Street (pink building near Mom’s) and I thought some of you might be looking for something for visitors: Salt Island Rentals and Fishing Charters.

We enjoyed a late lunch at Lobsta Land on Causeway Street recently. It was a beautiful weekday afternoon so we decided to eat at the bar on the deck. What a great experience! As always, the service was efficient and friendly. I had the panko crusted haddock sandwich (which was on the specials menu) and Jim enjoyed his fish and chips but we relaxed in the wonderful atmosphere most of all. Hope to catch you there sometime! *PS Annie and Squam’s osprey chicks have hatched and are a delight to watch on the osprey cam**

The Gloucester DPW has recently installed new playground equipment in the small neighborhood playground area in close vicinity to the Bay View Fire Station. I am not sure if it has officially opened yet. Perhaps someone can update us all.

A beautiful doe and its fawn visited our backyard recently. It’s been quite a while since we have seen a fawn in our immediate neighborhood so this was a special treat. They spent a fair amount of time hanging around and it reminded me of the scene in Bambi where the mother cautiously introduces Bambi to the meadow. There were definitely some lessons being shared that late afternoon! For additional story details and images, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook link here. It was a special opportunity to observe wildlife.

We found that one of our favorite spots has re-opened for the season so we stopped by Russell Orchards in Ipswich to see what was what. As usual, their offerings of baked goods, fresh in season fruits, ice cream, wine and more kept us happily entertained. The staff is unfailingly friendly and helpful. It’s a pleasure to stop by there several times throughout the season.

We decided to go to the Azorean on Washington St to celebrate Margarita Monday with a friend for an early dinner. I ordered a strawberry margarita this time. Whereas last week’s margarita was spicy, this one was decidedly sweet but refreshing and enjoyable. We also ordered butternut squash ravioli and chicken; marinated haddock and Bife Toureiro (my go-to). We all enjoyed our meals and were glad our friend Susan could join us.

When we on Union Street in Manchester checking out the demolition, I noticed a new shop had gone into the former Jamie’s Roast Beef location at 25 Union St. I look forward to checking out Nikki’s Place soon.

As you may know, I am one of the volunteers at the Welcome Center located at Stage Fort Park. It’s a privilege to be part of this beautiful City park in any capacity. The Welcome Center is a very cool building and you should check it out sometime if you haven’t been in a while. There are rocking chairs on the deck along with a Little Library for those interested. There is also a mobile First Aid station available. News you can use! Stop by and say hello. (*I am there Thursday mornings!)

Abundant blessings on the people handling these calls.

If you don’t care about birds, keep scrolling…..we returned to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport recently for the first time in a while. I was hoping to see some birds and my wish was fulfilled. We watched a number of species (and learned what an Eastern Kingbird is) and a variety of behaviors on that beautiful spring day. It’s well worth the ride though there is an admission fee. We have a senior National Parks pass that we use for this and other adventures along the way (if you are eligible, it’s a no-brainer). For additional photos, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook link here. You might want to give it a follow!

Another fun opportunity to help one of our own

The new signage on the parking kiosks should help a bit with the confusion we see every day on Main Street. This driver’s signage was recently seen outside our shop also. Not sure if it worked but it was worth a try I think.

We noticed the Cargo building along Union St in Manchester was cordoned off so I stopped to look. There was a representative of the demolition company on hand to offer some details for the planned demolition in the next day or two. This allowed us to go back and check during the actual process. Manchester is experiencing main drag detours this week and last due to this project. I thought it was a genius move by the demolition comapny to have someone on hand to answer questions and provide details. As I understood it, traffic flow will be restored A sometime this week.