My View of Life on the Dock
American Cruise Line’s ‘American Constitution‘ has docked at Cruiseport several times over the past 5 weeks. The company has an updated full-page ad in the current edition of TIME Magazine that takes liberty, on the map, with the spelling of our city.
A quick transition from a chilly spring to a summer heat wave. The Rhododendrons are blossoming from buds, the Chickadees are at work (I think he’s supervising and she’s building), just a lone coyote on the Audubon land, a first sail past Eastern Point light, and an Eider extended family enjoys a swim along Raymond Beach.
Summer! Edward, our Great White Egret, is back flying around the rocks for his low-tide lunch.
There is a shortage of wildlife around these days on our walks. We’re waiting for the explosion of young ones. In the meantme, here are some recent random photos.
For those who access GMG through the daily email, it wasn’t sent out last Saturday. Joey kindly provided a direct link to my “Alewife Fish Ladders” posting: https://goodmorninggloucester.com/2021/05/22/alewife-fish-ladders-pat-morss/?fbclid=IwAR0MiUGR5ESRa90MYAGfpW0tE-FNPPUCF5-qOhEHx6GoTrtPUZ9evwTSobw
A few days ago we visited the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration in Newcastle, Maine. Some online investigation (very incomplete) turned up interesting information. The Damariscotta Fish ladder was built around the mills in 1807, and reconsted two centuries later between 2007 and 2017. As reported by GMG, construction at the smaller West Gloucester Alewife/Herring fish ladder on Little River, allowing spawning above in Lily Pond, was completed in 2018. It appears SumCO eco contractors and/or Becker Construction had a hand in both projects (need clarification).
Here are some photos from our Damariscotta Fish Ladder visit. The site was not staffed, and access was limited. Their website is: damarascottamills.org
Thursday was beautiful and a great opportunity to wander around Rocky Neck.
Yesterday afternoon a small cruise ship from American Cruise Lines, that has a New England, Nova Scotia, St Lawrence Seaway itinerary, came into Gloucester. The only oddity was there were no passengers – was she relocating in anticipation of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions?
Our adult male turkeys are still courting the women, while one of the younger students encountered an intruder with red feathers. We moved on before he gave up pacing back and forth.
The wind was finally dropping off Sunday afternoon, and then there was a surprise squall.
It’s a mostly cloudy, rainy and foggy week. The deer are out in the mist foraging for a healthy marine diet in the seaweed. But there are cheery spots of color at the bird feeder, and at the tulip beds down on the Boulevard.
CORRECTION: Our ornitholigist daughter has just let me know the Red-tailed Hawk chased by the crows, that I posted a couple of hours ago, is actually a first-year Bald Eagle. She says the juveniles get their white heads in their 4th year. How ’bout that?
This morning I watched another of several encounters between crows and a Red-tailed Hawk. Physical contact by 4 crows happened in the air, and I only caught one shot as the Red-tail headed to the ground for refuge. The other photos are of 3 crows doing fly-bys to encourage the hawk to leave.
It’s not JUST the birds
Recent activity on daily walks. Our family of 9 turkeys appears to have finally broken up for mating.
Our neighbors are celebrating with special menus – at the feeders, and on Niles Pond.
We got to watch some of the action before the Northeast Storm hit yestarday afternoon.
But, a few other photos first.
Our Turkey family is all grown up now and the Tom boys are on the prowl. Today’s presentation on Niles Pond was a pair of courting Mallards, that didn’t seem to mind us watching.
Last weekend we had a beautiful and uncrowded visit to Halibut Point.
