Author: Pat D

We have had Baltimore Orioles in the vicinity for several seasons now, but this is the first time I have located their nest. They build sac-like structures in tree branches and you can see they are well hidden. I watched as one of the orioles made its way down into the nest and popped its head back out. Now we wait for little chirps and open mouths of young ones!

We lived on Lake Erie when I was in school but we never got to have a mobile classroom like this one! How cool for our students to be able to go out on the Ardelle for their classroom experience?

We had a wonderful dining experience at Fleur Cuisine on the T Wharf in Rockport recently. The bright, open atmosphere, friendly staff and menu selection all added up to an A+ experience. There is a small bar area, back dining room and outdoor seating. It was too chilly for outside so we sat in the back dining room. As usual, we were on the early side but the room filled up during our time there. Our server Maria was efficient and informed. We enjoyed plantains, the chicken entree and the pineapple bowl with shrimp. The chicken was amazing with just the right amount of spicy zing. We finished off with the best key lime pie I’ve had on Cape Ann. Get yourself there!

I recently downloaded the Merlin app from Cornell to assist with bird identification. The most useful attribute so far is the ability to record live birdsong and have it be identified. I admit to being kind of addicted. You see an example of a report here and the accompanying recording. We found our eagle pair recently along the river but I did not have my camera with me that day so I pulled out the phone to record when they started calling. So here are some other recent photos of that eagle pair along the river and a recording in case you love eagle calls as much as I do. (the audio file is at the bottom though the picture of the report looks like where you want to go)

We had a lovely deer family visit the backyard a few days ago. I cannot resist fawn photos. This grouping appears to be a doe, a yearling and a fawn. The yearling is developing its horns which you can see by looking closely. The yearling seemed very interested in the fawn. He used his hoof to “guide” the fawn or perhaps to check it out. I don’t know what that behavior indicates but it was super intriguing to watch. As they retreated a bit to the undergrowth, the fawn got a good bathing from the doe. Tis the season for the fawns! I hope they return soon and often. More details and photos available at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. Give it a follow if you like what you see.

I woke up one morning last week and just wanted to do something different. Though it wasn’t quite to plan, the different thing we did was go to the newest Serenitee Restaurant Dire Wolf Tavern on Washington St in Salem. And it was fantastic! Honestly the online presentation when the Dire Wolf was introduced made me think it wouldn’t be my kind of place, but I was mistaken! We stopped for lunch on a weekday and it was easy to find parking nearby. The bar area is spacious and lovely. There’s outdoor seating available but we chose to sit inside where we could watch the street. The menu has a nice variety of selections and I found it difficult to settle on just one so we will be back to try the others. We have Serenitee Rewards, so it was a win-win.

Jim ordered Crispy Shawarma Cauliflower as an appetizer and the Beef Brisket & Cheese sandwich. I ordered a BLT — though I was a little wary of the mustard aioli, it was a perfectly matched set of ingredients. Josh was our server and he was friendly and knowledgeable. A couple of people were overheard raving about the burger so I expect that to be on my list for next time.

As an added treat, there’s a downstairs bar area called Hallowed Tavern which seems to have a speakeasy vibe. It’s open later in the day. We enjoyed our meal and experience and we’d plan to go back. If you’re over that way, give them a try.

Sharing news from Gloucester Bites on Facebook. today Sun May 21 2023. The Cupboard is at Stage Fort Park.

A photo-dump from Friday’s Pirates vs Cardinals game. Great game, thank you coaches, officials, volunteers and team members!

Pat D’s Photos will be opening our season at the Spring Festival at the Academy at Penguin Hall on Essex St in Wenham tonight from 5-8 PM. I know it’s a busy day but perhaps by late afternoon, you’ll be looking for something just like this opportunity to benefit the students at the Academy. We are excited to be introducing some new items including ceramic night lights and outdoor banners! Stop by and check them out yourself. We also offer puzzles, prints, magnets, notecards, suncatchers, glass prints and more featuring local scenes and wildlife. You can also follow us on Facebook at Pat D’s Photos and Adventures to see additional photos and updates. Here are some examples of our offerings for this season:

I haven’t seen this sight in quite a while, but thanks to a heads-up from our friend Susan, I was able to see this majestic eagle looking over Stage Fort Park from Western Ave. Always a treat.

I took CB (crystal ball) out to watch one of the recent hazy sunsets. I understand the haze was caused by Canadian wildfires. I am always grateful for the variations in our skies especially at sunrise and sunset. We went to Plum Cove Beach along Washington St for a view and thought you might enjoy the same.

Take note of the following change of date shared on Facebook:

Essex is holding its Spring into Essex event this weekend May 20-21 2023 and it sounds like a great deal of fun you might not want to miss. A variety of events are taking place including a “Wet Paint” class at Seameadow Gifts, Tequila Tasting at Ripple On The Water, and Birds Bees and Butterflies at Cox Reservation. And lots more: info here at this link. Here are a couple of my favorite Essex photos to get you in the mood. Who knows? You might see one of these on display in Essex this weekend! Hoping to see you around!

Sharing information from St. Peter’s Fiesta organizers about this year’s program June 21-25 and novena June 12 – 20 2023. Check the link for further info.

Sharing updated information from the City regarding Resident Beach Stickers for 2023:

I noticed some online queries regarding local sightings of hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles; and if you follow Good Morning Gloucester, you know that we have had hummingbirds visiting for about 2 weeks now. But the Orioles seemed a little later than usual. We finally have sighted them now for several days in our backyard. I went out to get some backyard bird photos with another blog post in mind so that will have to wait because I observed our Orioles working on their spring mating rituals. The female signaled and awaited a mate at the meeting branch. Sure enough, he approached and they mated in quick fashion, as is the norm for many birds. He flew off and went for a little nourishment at the feeder. We look forward to additional orioles soon! For more of the story and additional photos, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

I have driven by the sign along 133 a number of times, but this time my curiosity got the better of me so I pulled in to Blue Moon Farm on Choate Rd in Essex. It’s a small nursery FULL of young veggies, hanging plants, annuals (with more to come as the weather gets better) as well as very helpful and friendly staff. I chatted with owner Patti Byrne who told me many people have been asking for tomatoes but she will be offering them closer to Memorial Day weekend when they (and the soil) will be ready for them. Cindy Greely Beck was attending the check out and she mentioned that her parents follow Good Morning Gloucester from Florida, so a hearty shout out to them! Thanks for the follow! Anyhow, get to Blue Moon Farm on Choate St off 133 in Essex before the end of the seedling season. It was a delightful visit. Spring plantings offer SO MUCH HOPE.

I had a coffee date with my aunt so we went to Cape Ann Coffee on Bass Ave. I had not been by in a while and treated my self to quiche and cafe mocha. Yummy as always. The place is bustling but we sat and chatted without feeling rushed. There’s local artwork on display and a wide range of baked goods, sandwiches and tea in addition to coffee. The service is also friendly and efficient (shout out to my neighbor Meagan) so it was a very relaxing and rewarding visit. Maybe I’ll see you there soon.

One of our favorite stop-by places is Russell Orchard on Argilla Road in Ipswich so we were happy to nte they have re-opened for the 2023 season! I enjoy just strolling around inside and out and discovered something new (to me) this time. Did you know there’s a walk around mini garden with samples of all the trees they have on site? I happened to notice some children enjoying the area so it drew my attention. They do things right there with the barnyard, orchard and other attractions. There’s fresh baked goods, fruit and veggies, wine, plants and even some shirts. Welcome back Russell Orchard and Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s so much more fun to watch boats and other watercraft from your own watercraft. And because it’s a beautiful day, you never know what else you might see besides F/V Jennie n Rose, Claudia Marie, Amanda & Andy as well as Schooner FAME (especially nice to see her out and about!)