Post Labor Day — pat morss

Labor Day is already in the rear view mirror.

Half Moon Beach in Stage Fort Park is a hidden gem
Before COVID-19, this was to be the Youth Sailing Program float
Better casting when close to the water
But you take the consequences
Didn’t realize Snapping Turtles hatch in Aug-Sept
Typically a long and dangerous walk from nest to water
Could this be Mom or Dad? (June encounter)

Labor Day Weekend — pat morss

A very nice holiday weekend, and of course a few photos. But, starting with a couple of the well documented August 23rd squall line.

Our menacing Covid-cloud
Squall line over Gloucester Harbor
By contrast, a tranquil Lighthouse Cove mooring field
Breakfast in the driveway – one of three “Bambi” siblings
Cooper’s Hawk studying fishing technique of an egret
Pre-sunset drinks (“staycation”)
The Vikings DID make it to Cape Ann (Polaris)
To the enthusiasm of the native cormorants
And some post-sunset fishing close to the rocks

Front Row Seat on the Deck

Sunday afternoon we watched surfers riding modest waves immediatly off the Eastern Point lighthouse, next to Mother Ann. Then on Tuesday evening we were treated to the US Coast Guard carrying out rescue exercises closer to the shore than usual.

Recent Encounters — pat morss

More walks and views from the house over the last couple of weeks.

Sculpture and skyline, from Ocean Alliance
Ardelle sailing past Eastern Point
Tight Lines evening fishing off Eastern Point
Paddleboarding in Gloucester Harbor
Near miss from Hurricane Isaias
Bumble bee pollinating at Brace Cove
Time to go inside when the Tree Swallows swarm the sunset mosquitoes
Tree Swallows taking a break
Double-crested Cormorant at Niles Pond
Mom turkey and 9 chicks back on the Fourth of July
All grown up on August 15th

Fur, Feathers, Fins, Flukes, and Family — pat morss

We have had quite a weekend with walks to the causeway (between Niles Pond and Brace Cove) and a water show in front of our deck. With family visiting, we enjoyed lobsters from Joey’s operation.

No shortage of bunnies
Resting Mallard with good balance
A vigilant Canada Goose
Cormorant in the setting sun
A school of bait fish in front of the Striper fleet
Fishing for Stripers (presumably); evening rush hour
Bait fish stirring up the water
Enjoying an evening whale watch from our deck; bait fish
Humpback whale diving (non telephoto)
Humpback flukes
Family wating for lobsters from Capt. Joe & Sons

Niles Pond Wildlife — pat morss

Always more photo opportunities on our walks

Sixty mallards on just one section of Niles Pond
Our friend Hank Heron; nice hairpiece
Hank again (Black-crowned Night Heron)
Welcoming us home, but not popular when eating our plants

Calico Lobster — pat morss

I also took Joey up on his invitation today to meet the Calico Lobster at Capt Joe & Sons. Joey personally introduced me to a very active and handsome crustacean. He/she may look already steamed, but definitely wasn’t.

Turkeys, and More on July 4th — pat morss

We made some normalcy of an unusual 4th of July, which started with evidence of a growing turkey population.

Mom turkey “herding cats” in our driveway
Traffic jam
Bunnies are everywhere, and not afraid
Inner Harbor sail – the fleet is in
Fishing group returning
Drinks and entertainment overlooking Lighthouse Cove
Adding artichokes to our traditional July 4th dinner
Lobsters from Joey’s place
Boston Pops virtual celebration – “Bugler’s Holiday”
Finishing off with Norwegian aquavit in chilled USS Constitution glasses

Surrounded by Water Birds — pat morss

A weekend beginning with a rainbow, followed by a welcoming party of 42 Canada Geese at our mooring, more Mallards on Niles Pond, and a Great White Egret fishing on our rocks.

Early invitation to the weekend
Some of the 42 Canada Geese surrounding us at our mooring
Nap on the causeway at Niles Pond/Brace Cove
Mallard family on Niles Pond
These ducklings are still small
Great White Egret exploring fishing areas
Flying to a new spot
Potential here
Dinner

Perfect Summer Solstice Weekend — pat morss

A sail, a dinner out, and seeing the Mallards growing up. Great weekend.

Local race; rounding Dog Bar breakwater
Kingfisher returning to port
Canada Goose on Niles Pond
The older ducklings already teenagers
Look this way – group photo
Some are still ducklings
Sometimes curious
And sometimes wary
An almost tropical feel on an Audubon boardwalk
Topped off with a nice sunset

A hint of Normalcy as Wildlife Abounds — pat morss

Our weekend included a peaceful and excellent dinner out with friends on the deck of Oliver’s Harbor Restaurant, and a first sail of the season. And then there’s the local wildlife that continues to flourish.

Several House Finch pairs building nests outside the LR
For the 2nd summer this couple is tackling our Soleri bell
It’s a losing battle again
A Snapping turtle crossing the driveway
Staying clear of the head
Flowers beware
Great White Egret at Niles Pond
Black-crowned Night-Heron at Niles Pond
Sunset at Eastern Point Lighthouse
Fewer vacant moorings inside Dog Bar breakwater
We already miss Halibut Point

Possible Rare Gull — pat morss

I took photos of some gulls a couple of days ago from the causeway at Brace Cove and consulted our daughter and husband who are experts in the field. They are fairly certain the first is of a Black-headed Gull, which is a rarity in our area. One was sighted in Newburyport in the early spring. Also attaching photos of some other gulls at the same location, including a Laughing Gull with a black head, and an ominous sky from home.

Presumed Black-headed gull
Preening Ring-billed Gull
Stretching Ring-billed Gull
Adult Laughing Gull
Late afternoon sky, Eastern Point

Prancing Deer — pat morss

Last evening we were treated to a 10-minute show of deer tearing around the Audubon land between us and the Eastern Point Lighthouse, having so much fun. If you can, view the last 7 photos in a quick “slide show” format.

Mallards Galore on Niles Pond –pat morss

Here are some of the many Mallards at Niles Pond.

A large family a week ago
Strength in numbers near the causeway
A family and friends
This could be the growing duckling pair that I posted two weeks ago
This molting Mallard in the background needs a pandemic haircut
The Great White Egret is observing from above it all

New Kids in Town — pat morss

We have seen some new young residents, while walking Eastern Point the last couple of days.

Mallard pair with ducklings, Niles Pond
Proud parents watching young, after short flight, Niles Pond
Eider moms with ducklings, close to Eastern Point Blvd.
Mallard preening, on Niles Pond
Mallard preening, on Niles Pond
Mallard preening, on Niles Pond

From the Living Room — pat morss

Still sheltering at home and looking out from the living room. Some photos from the last week or so (plus the tree at Niles Pond with its coronavirus PPE). Today is the Seventeenth of May, Norway’s national holiday, with no parades this year. But Anne-Lise and I are celebrating – skaal!

Weasel in our rain leader pipe.
Dove in the hanging plant (head at bottom)
Northern Contender returning home
Fools Gold returning home
Whale watching at breakfast
Wylie Coyote and an accomplice on the daily round
Norwegian Seventeenth of May holiday celebration
And now a walk – tree with coronavirus protection
Tree at Niles Pond with its protection

Weekend views from the house, and a short walk — pat morss

We’re staying close to home with the pandemic, but there was no shortage of wildlife and other goings on around Eastern Point this weekend.

Mallard preening at Niles Pond
Mallard preening at Niles Pond
Wildlife relaxing on Eastern Point Boulevard
April swimmers at Niles Beach
The scallopers are working in-shore
The turkeys still prefer Anne-Lise’s car
Couldn’t resist another fiery sunset last week