Author: Pat D

Our daughter is visiting with our toddler grandson so it seemed like a good time for our first visit to Stone Zoo. It’s a relatively short ride (maybe 45 minutes) to this lovely little oasis in Stoneham. I’d had the impression that it was a smaller zoo than Franklin Park, so I guess I had lowered my expectations, but we were very charmed by the layout, the atmosphere and the animals. We recently visited the Seattle Zoo and this was much much better. I think the flamingos were my favorites!

Our daughter is a zoo educator in Erie PA so her insights come from deeper zoo knowledge than I have. She commented that she was especially impressed with how the well designed exhibits blend into and reflect the environment so seamlessly. There are Lego displays throughout the zoo which were partly built by children and they are VERY inspiring! It’s a great little way to spend part of a day so if you haven’t been, consider a visit.

We stopped down to the dock to check in with Joey a few days ago. While Jim and Joey were engaged in deep discussions of football pools and the like, my attention got drawn to these birds who stopped by to watch what’s going on. Both Joey and Jim were intrigued as well so I took a few shots. And then was later rewarded with the birding tweet you see here. Truth hurts sometimes.

My eye caught this abandoned boat at Lane’s Cove last January. Weathered objects exude so much character and history that I find it to be irresistible imagery. But I’m a little sad that I’ve kept my eye on it throughout the year because the slow disappearance of this boat is disconcerting. Still beautiful and full of character though. These pictures were taken in January, May, July and September. I’ll be going back despite the heartbreak.

Persistent fog hung over Stage Fort Park last week but visitors were not deterred from stopping by the Welcome Center. It was actually one of the busier shifts I have experienced over the summer. The Welcome Center will be open until Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day.

Wingaersheek on a windy day creates a playground for kiteboarders. If only I were a bit braver….

September reflections at Beacon Marine Basin.

Views from Stage Fort Park last week when I went down to volunteer at the Welcome Center one foggy dreary morning. Still pretty stunning regardless.

High tide is my “favorite” and so is Lane’s Cove. Sometimes the two combine in a pretty spectacular show of nature.

My eye caught this beautiful yacht docked at Ocean Alliance. I noticed the British flag and the designation London and I wondered if they came all the way across the pond because London is so extra crowded this week. Maybe not. I did a little research and you can see some if it at this link. There are unsubstantiated rumors it belongs to Eric Clapton but no definitive ownership that I could find. Sure is pretty though! Welcome to Gloucester mates.

Something about September weekends makes me want to go to the local farmstands and look at the available harvest. We were riding up 133 and decided to stop at Northern Lights Farmstand in Ipswich (243 High St) as we had not been there in a while. Marshalls, of course, is also great but this is the area we happened to be in. Jim went straight inside but I was drawn to the “pick your own” flower beds. Then I wandered around the flowers and the back parts of the area and found all sorts of delightful surprises: chickens, donkeys, Francesca the pig! It’s a great little stop especially for curious children and senior citizens.

The store is packed with fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and even Virgilios sauce. Not surprisingly, we took home more than we had intended to. There doesn’t seem to be a website or updated Facebook page but additional information can be found at this link. You won’t be sorry you stopped at this fun farmstand.

I have spotted this eagle overlooking Stage Fort Park a couple of times recently. It doesn’t typically hang around for long and the leaves hide it pretty well but it’s still a spectacular blessing to have it watching over our harbor.

A nearby pond has recently been serving as a kind of bird sanctuary for some pretty spectacular egrets, night herons and ducks. We watch the group feed and preen and resolve disputes. They share the space admirably (there’s a lesson for us in that) and it’s easy to find yourself sitting there for quite a while. They squawk more than you might expect and there’s constant shifting of position. I am no expert, so I am not quite certain which kinds of egrets these all are, but I am pretty certain we observed a pair of black crowned night herons with at least two juveniles. The juvenile night herons are very well camouflaged but maybe you can make them out in one of these photos.

For additional photos and details please go to Pat D’s Photos on Facebook.

The Essex National Heritage Area Trails and Sails event begins today and last for 10 days. Free events throughout Essex are being offered in a wide range of interests and activities. Some require reservations but are still free, so check it out online. You can search by location or activity type. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience our area! Here’s what’s going on in Gloucester:

Our beautiful flags have been retired for the 2022 season so here’s a last look.

Con-duck-ting for an audience at Niles Pond a few days ago. It has been mentioned that “the band is not paying attention” which gives us the opportunity to thank all the band and chorus teachers out there who keep trying regardless! This extends to all classroom teachers and school staff as well. Thank you for your leadership and perseverance.

The tides have been pretty high this week with the full harvest moon and Good Harbor Beach wears a high tide very well. The creekside rock was surrounded (that’s GMG Jim watching from the car) and someone is building their version of sand castles near the footbridge. Always an interesting stroll down on Good Harbor Beach!

Sharing information from Maritime Gloucester that Food Truck Tuesday today Sept 13 2022 is cancelled and Maritime Gloucester will close at 4 today. This is weather related. They hope to reschedule Jamaica Mi Hungry for those awaiting it!

Although we are barely past Labor Day and the weather is still warm, something changes in the light or the air or our attitudes when seasons are changing. Fall is approaching but summer isn’t ready to let go. It’s at this time of year that my mother’s birthday falls. Although she has been gone for 20 years now, her birthday is always a day of remembrance. I took some time to myself for a quiet stroll around the grounds at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate knowing it is something my mother would have enjoyed very much. Summer lingers there but autumn is knocking at the door. It’s free admission if you are a Trustees member, so maybe you can take a similar ride soon.

For additional details on this story and more photos, please go to Pat D’s Photos on Facebook.

Here are some updates on the construction progress at the Webster St. School site; the East Main St site formerly Espressos; and along the Back Shore (previously Twin Light Manor/Ocean View Inn and Resort). Lots of hard work being done all over town!

The Massachusetts RMV has announced some changes in the way required vehicle inspections and stickers take place starting November 1 2022 (so, soon…pay attention if you are a procrastinator). If you get your inspection after the due date, the new sticker will reflect the previous month of expiration instead of the current month. So, if your inspection is due by the end of November, but you don’t get the inspection done until December, the new sticker will reflect November and not December. Procrastinators will no longer benefit from the added time previously gained by waiting. These changes are imminent so take note.

In addition, drivers will no longer receive printed inspection reports. This is to save paper. Reports can be viewed online. Further details available here: https://www.mass.gov/news/new-motor-vehicle-inspection-stickers-0