Author: patmorss

Time Marches On — pat morss

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We’ve gone from fall foliage to snow and frigid temperatures in less than 3 weeks.

Thanksgiving leftovers have run out. Fortunately, eggnog came early this year.
Anne-Lise enjoying colorful foliage on Niles Pond Road, November 20th.
Same road, as temperatures are dropping into the teens, December 14th.
The turkeys will stick around for the winter, owning the roads.
Berries have held out to provide the only bright colors around Niles Pond.
A warm early December allowed Canada Geese to continue walking on water.
But soon the Mallards were walking on ice, around an opening.
Followed by snow.
Getting to be huddling time.
Deer eat whatever they can find – our bushes. The right antler didn’t grow normally.
Yesterday was the coldest, but we’re expecting a short reprieve.
Approaching Christmas and the Holidays, the winter sunsets seem to be more sinister.

Thanksgiving Animals — pat morss

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Here’s a look at some of our neighbors during Thanksgiving season.

This fly has opted for indoors, and is fascinated watching me at my computer.
House Sparrows forever greet us at low altitude on our walks.
Red-tailed Hawk, before three boisterous crows dispatched him further down our path.
Hooded Mergansers have returned to Niles Pond and look thankfully relaxed.
A Double-crested Cormorant figures the pond is quieter than the ocean.
The seals are at Brace Cove for the winter. The one in the middle has a bloody red face.
Mabe it had an encounter with this one, a couple of rocks over (head at left).
This coyote’s misfortune was deadly. Seen here after several high tides.
A handsome white-tailed buck stared me down in our yard.
His doe was watching patiently from the bushes behind him.
Another day another doe. “How do I look in red?”
A welcome walk and a red sunset after our extended Thanksgiving lunch.

Winter Adjustments — pat morss

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It’s not winter yet, but changes are apparent.

The sky is a steel-gray more of the time.
And the ocean is looking more sinister.
Our winter guests are assembling in high numbers on Niles Pond.
Mallards are engaging in synchronized head-pumping.
Bobbing up and down, it is an early stage of courtship.
Painted Turtles are discussing how long until hibernation.
Watching this Harbor Seal in Brace Cove, I’m glad the swimming season is over.
The view is unobstructed for raptors, now that the leaves are off the trees.
Friendly Northern Mockingbirds will continue to follow our walks.
A new Osprey platform is ready for spring at the Mass. Audubon sanctury.
Mating is at a peak for the White-tailed Deer.
The bucks are bolder during the rut.
From home, the sun will set south (left) of the lighthouse until mid-February.

An Autumn Walk — pat morss

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Anne-Lise and I walk daily from home, and fall is particularly beautiful.

This maple at Beauport Museum is reliable for color.
It has been a good year for red.
We stop to say hello to our neighbors, and their owners.
Offerings at the tree trunk have grown and evolved over the last two years.
Leaves are extra vibrant when they are wet.
Four residents in this part of the Niles Pond ‘Heron Tree.’
Black-crowned Night Herons of various ages, resting on one leg.
This juvenile kept one eye on us while napping.
The low light is stunning in the afternoon.
I’m always looking up.
‘Hank (Great Blue) Heron’ passing into the shadows on the pond.
With leaves falling, this is something to look forward to again next autumn.

CAPA week, 2025 — pat morss

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A week ago, we were near the end of the 9th annual Cape Ann Plein Air event.

A selected artist painted ‘live’ most evenings, here at Manchester’s 35 Beach restaurant.
We hosted artist Carolyn Lindsey. Restaurant co-owner Matthew Cain watched her paint.
Dinner was excellent. I got up between courses to check on Carolyn’s progress.
At 3/4 dinner and 3/4 painting, that’s me at the left table.
The ‘Quick Draw’ took place Saturday with artists spread around downtown Manchester.
They had only 2 hours to complete their paintings.
Followed by a half hour for framing, then the judging and sale to the public.
For just this event, 100+ guest artists also competed with their own judging.
The 35 registered artists, from all over the country, were judged indoors.
Christine Lashley, with her studio in Old Town Alexandria, VA, took 1st Place.
The Gala was at East Gloucester’s North Shore Arts Association, which was open all weekend for purchase of the week’s art.
Richard Sneary (Kansas City, MO) and Carolyn Lindsey (Cuervo, NM) are the first and the most recent artists to stay with us in Gloucester.

Photos with a twist — pat morss

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Sometimes we see something unexpected.

This Cooper’s Hawk looks smaller than real life, alone in the mist. [Our ornithologist daughter just told me that it looks small because it’s a Merlin!]
Gray Catbird in a classic guidebook pose. But it can be more approachable.
Same bird pacing around the branch with wings clasped behind its back.
Finally establishing eye contact, with a quizzical look.
Mallards are back in force, bottom-feeding on a shallow Niles Pond.
DON’T FORGET – Fall is duck planting season.
These “piles” were a mystery, until there was new evidence.
An intact Eastern Black Walnut casing (R), not yet opened by a squirrel stealing another nut.
Anne-Lise’s rack of lamb, looking like an elephant with too many legs.
That’s better.
And a delicious dinner deserves a Cape Ann sunset.

Flora and Fauna — pat morss

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Progressing into autumn.

Perfect toadstool for the next passing toad.
Tar spot fungus on some of our maple trees is apparently not a health concern.
But invasive bittersweet may suffocate this covered spruce tree.
Late-born fawns are maturing before winter.
Eastern Garter Snake taking a defensive posture, crossing the road.
A Mourning Dove now understands why raptors like the view.
Time is getting short for the dahlias on Stacy Boulevard.
This dahlia is seemingly bearing fruit.
While two bees nearly shake feet, working on the same flower.
And Monarch Butterflies prepare for their amazing multi-generation migration to Mexico.

Transiting Labor Day — pat morss

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Labor Day has passed, and we enter another season.

Before the weekend, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds started stocking up for their migration.
Like our Monarch Butterflies, hummingbirds winter in Mexico (and Central America).
Welcoming ‘American Eagle,’ as schooners assemble for the Labor Day Schooner Festival.
Tabor Academy’s ‘Tabor Boy’ docked at Maritime Gloucester, the evening before the race.
Walking over to the I4C2 docks, Fitz Henry Lane was still painting his painting (wall mural).
It was nice sunset light, looking across to Rocky Neck and Ocean Alliance’s Paint Factory.
‘Adventure’ (center) was among the schooners tied up at I4C2.
The place was hopping with live music at Blue Collar Lobster Co.
On race Sunday, ‘American Eagle’ (beyond) and ‘Thomas E Lannon’ headed to the line.
‘Denis Sullivan’ (Wisconsin) and the others had an escort flotilla during the “Parade of Sail.”
Post-holiday, there are many juvenile (L) and adult Little Blue Herons on Niles Pond.
This first-year youngster is experiencing a partial molt of non-flight body feathers.
And here’s what his non-molting brethren still look like.

Days of Summer — pat morss

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A warm humid summer is slowing down the activity level, particularly among the wildlife.

A nice harbor setup – a castle to live in, a tower at the head of the dock, and a private yacht.
‘Adventure’ ghosting along the outer shore before sunset.
Even the deer are hiding more in the shade of the bushes.
A Black-crowned Night Heron cooling off, knee-deep in Niles Pond.
I wasn’t fast enough to focus on Eddy Egret when he took off.
Up in a tree, he seemed to be yelling at someone.
The Song Sparrow is the professional vocalist.
Mallard: “I’m just talking to my tail.”
There have been hundreds of bees working around our Hydrangeas.
Here’s a typical busy bee.
Maybe a Virginia Tiger Moth Caterpillar? Much brighter than a Wooly Bear.
But the same color as our sunset, through the trees and smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

On the Water — Pat Morss

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Events on the water continue after this year’s 74th International Dory Race, including the 10th Bluefin Blowout (tuna tournament) and the 39th Blackburn Challenge (20-mile row/paddle around Cape Ann).

If you’re not competing, a drink out on your deck is a good summer pastime.
Outcast reeled in the 2nd largest tuna – 653 pounds – at the Bluefin Blowout.
Cleaning out the heart and guts before weigh-in.
Outcast‘s pretty trophy, fit for the dinner table. [First prize was 728 pounds].
Here are a few of the Blackburn classes, this being a 6-person outrigger canoe (OC-6).
It was relatively flat water, except for boat wakes, for this sliding-seat single scull.
A traditional 2-person Banks dory, from the Gloucester fishing schooner days.
I have the greatest respect for standing paddleboarders completing the 20-mile course.
The racing single kayaks look pretty small out in the ocean traffic.
If you own Annastar, you of course tow a 30-ft dinghy sporting 4 large outboards.
And then there are the afternoons when it’s just best to be in safe harbor.

International Dory Race — pat morss

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Last Saturday was the 74th annual Dory Race between sister cities – and Grand Banks fishing schooner competitors – Gloucester, MA and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Canada won 3 of the 5 races, and there will be a second series in Lunenburg in August. Here are a few highlights from the races I saw.

Men’s 1-mile race, starting from Jodrey Fish Pier, at the head of the harbor.
Team Canada (foreground) and Team USA outbound to the turning mark.
Sam and Peter Taormina representing the United States smashed the Canadian team by roughly 40 seconds, but there is always great camaraderie after the finish.
The 1/2-mile Women’s race outbound, with Team USA in the foreground.
Team Canada prevailed in a well-fought battle.
Most exciting was the Men’s Masters, with Team USA in the foreground.
Another 1/2-mile course, it remained close on the return.
The final push, with the boats synchronized stroke for stroke.
Pretty impressive for one of the over 50 years of age races (there was another for Women).
Team USA eked out a photo finish win by 23/100 of a second.

By Land and by Sea (and Air) — pat morss

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A recent variety of encounters around Gloucester.

White-tailed deer in the driveway, with velvet nourishing its growing antlers.
A flock of fluffy young starlings, not yet dark like their elders.
Eddy (The Great) Egret mimicking a cormorant drying its wings?
A Green Heron surveys the water lillies on Niles Pond.
A mother mallard has her wings full with 13 scattering ducklings in the fog.
Also in Brace Cove, this picnic may have ended prematurely.
At Fiesta, fog allowed the seine boats to watch the Greasy Pole (the only female on Sunday).
Perhaps practicing for the around-Cape-Ann Blackburn Challenge Cup (20 miles at sea).
Sailing ‘Troll’ past schooner ‘Thomas E Lannon’ outside Eastern Point.
I yelled out: “What kind of vessel are you”? Answer: “A row boat.”
I found ‘London Calling 2024’ tied up with the dories at the “Gloucester Maritime Museum.”
The 2024 attempted row from Boston to London was aborted at sea with electrical failure.

Bunker Hill Reenactment — pat morss

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This is my view of the 250th anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill that took place at Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park last weekend. There were nearly 20,000 estimated visitors counting the two days.

The Colonists were positioned at the top of the hill, above the British charge.
Reenactors numbered about 750. Mass. State Senator Bruce Tarr is at bottom left.
Colonial reenactors practicing, culminating 5 years of planning.
British reenactors in uniform, gathering outside their weekend tents.
The first action was British Marines leaving their vessels in Gloucester Harbor.
And landing on Half Moon Beach, in Stage Fort Park.
While Colonial snipers fired from the woods on the left shore.
And from the old fort on the right shore.
The Colonists heard inspirational words of encouragement, read from historical text.
And were ready to stand their ground.
After the Flanking Attack (bodies remaining) came the Main Assault by the British.
They were repelled by the Colonists who were behind their hay and dirt earthworks.
British cannons pounded back.
After reinforcements arrived, the British stormed the hill a second time.
And were forced to retreat again, where the officers planned their next move.
All Redcoats front and center.
It was straight up the hill once more, through the gun and canon smoke.
This time with superior numbers, and the Colonists running out of ammunition, the British prevailed.

At Bunker Hill in 1775 the Colonial casualties were 140 killed and 271 wounded, whereas the British suffered 226 killed and 828 wounded. The battle was a loss, but a moral victory for the Revolutionaries.

Odds and Ends — pat morss

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There’s always something going on.

Memorial Day – seaweed washed up from a Northeast Storm at Brace Cove.
Memory of a veteran remained in the seaweed.
Male pollen cones on just a portion of our spruce tree.
Our Carolina Wrens are taking turns feeding insects to their kids.
A Fisher is content sniffing around the lawn.
“You’re supposed to be boreal forest-dwelling.”
Eddy egret is being harassed by a pair of Eastern Kingbirds (one at top left).
“Honest, I chose this tree to relax, not to look for your nest.”
Eddy was finally alone to fish in peace on the Audubon rocks at low tide.
Native Americans in the Northeast called the June full moon ‘The Strawberry Moon.’
And yes, this year’s harvest is large.

Birds, Boats and Bees — pat morss

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Starting to feel like early summer.

Carolina Wrens won custody of the front door hanging plant; first of three or four eggs.
Dad was defiant, when we were tending to the Geranium’s health.
Mom played it safe and sought cover.
One of our Baltimore Orioles watched intently from a short distance.
We are happy to see Eddy Egret is back at Niles Pond.
Picked up bird seed at our daughter’s store. A hummingbird was test driving a sports car.
Last week, Kingfisher and Atlantic Traveler were fishing as a team, inshore.
Joined by Hailey Dawn. A fish spotter plane flew overhead.
In spite of poor weather, Beacon Marine got Troll in the water for her 51st season.
A fast single-handed sail around Ten Pound Island to her Eastern Point mooring.
At Brace Cove, a Bumble Bee landing on a Rosa Rugosa flower …
… to perform its pollinating work.

Great Whale Watches — pat morss

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Since Cape Ann’s whale watch season has begun, I thought I would share some of our past experiences.

‘Puck’ was a favorite in 1982 – named for the hockey stick on his tail fluke.
Nose-to-nose. “Why do you call me Puck”?
Checking us out at close quarters, and diving under the boat.
Capt Fred Douglass founded the local whale watch industry in 1979.
It’s special seeing humbacks feed, using their baleen as a sieve, 1983.
Not every whale watch ends well. The newest ‘Daunty’ burned and sank in 1997.
Whales slap their flippers to communicate, and to wave us goodbye, 2006.
Humpbacks breaching totally out of water is thrilling to see, 2006.
In 2013 we had an experimental ferry from Gloucester to Provincetown.
With whale watching in both directions on Stellwagen Bank. More feeding.
Ocean Alliance introduced their ‘SnotBot’ technology in 2016; Dr Iain Kerr holds the drone.
The whales were close, so our harbor cruise turned into a surprise whale watch.
The easiest whale watch is viewed from our house, this time in 2020.
Today’s whale ambassadors are Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch.

Bird Behaviour — pat morss

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Some familiar and some new acquaintances, along with drama in the yard.

An hour after hanging a new front door geranium, our House Finches were checking it out.
On our walk, there was a Baltimore Oriole sampling flower nectar in a tree.
We learned they like fruit. It only took an hour for them to find our half orange.
An observant Gray Catbird thought “I’ll try that.” Once seemed enough.
An adult joined shortly by a young male, with both lit by the setting sun.
Finished dessert.
Anne-Lise saw two Common Grackles continue their fight, hitting the ground.
It was a fast moving tussle, equally matched.
Up again for round two.
Down, but still fighting.
Then the surprise pin with both wings on the mat. Match over.

Catching Up with the Wildlife — pat morss

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Maybe still less evident, but our wildlife is always out there.

Just learned the maroon on his stretched out neck is why he’s a Ring-necked Duck.
“You’re bigger than me, but you DO know this is my rock?”
Harbor Seals are still at Brace Cove, but its about time for them to move north.
Watching other birds, a Brown Thrasher decides it’s time to investigate our feeder.
“Don’t worry. I’m guarding your feeder.”
Roadkill clean-up detail.
How many legs?
“You don’t think I was going to eat those nice fresh shoots, do you?”
A Northern Mockingbird framed by a vine.
Song Sparrow sings about spring.
A male turkey can display incredible colors, not just by spreading its tail.
And don’t forget the domesticated wildlife enjoying a warm day.

Gloucester’s Inner Harbor — pat morss

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Since my view of the inner harbor is usually during a sail, I decided to walk some of the way-inner waterfront yesterday.

Starting at marine biotech GMGI’s wharf.
Next door in Rose Marine’s boat yard, maintenance was in high gear.
Schooner ‘Thomas E Lannon’ was getting a serious facelift.
View down the city side of the channel from it’s head at Gordon Thomas Park.
And the opposite side in East Gloucester, leading out to the State Fish Pier.
There seemed to be more vessels in port than usual.
Brother and sister
Looking across to the blue domes of Our Lady of Good Voyage church.
Out on the State Fish Pier, ‘Endeavor’ and ‘Challenger’ are the largest.
The business end of a fishing vessel.
More heavy metal involved in this gritty profession.

It’s Scallop Season — pat morss

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The short scallop season started April 1st. I watched some of the action at Cape Ann Lobstermen in East Gloucester, from Joey’s pier.

‘Ryleefinn’ backing out after landing their catch; two other boats waiting.
‘Whitney & Ashley’ was next up. Most of the boats are down from Maine.
Docking at Cape Ann Lobstermen.
Recording the weight of each bag of scallops, shelled on the way in.
Turnaround time was only about 5 minutes. ‘Outnumbered’ came in next.
Quickly sidling up to the pier.
Loading the scallops into a bucket, dropped down by the crane.
Weigh-in. The captain climbs the ladder to take a receipt for payment.
Loading the bags into tubs with ice to go inside for processing.
‘Outnumbered’ heading right back out.
Continuous comings and goings past the whistle buoy off Eastern Point light.
There will be a lot of lights on the horizon tonight.
Simply prepared by Anne-Lise for dinner, and couldn’t be fresher.