Author: patmorss

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.

Gallery of Waves — pat morss

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While we’re waiting for spring foliage and fauna to become more active, here are some favorite Eastern Point storm photographs.

Some of us remember the “Great Blizzard of ’78” [and of course, The Perfect Storm].
But our storms occur often. Thacher Island, from Brace Rock. [2001]
Winter surf at sunset. [2003]
Wave fireworks. [2013]
Exciting day at the Eastern Point lighthouse; the shed is no longer there. [2013]
Spring waves. Caribbean colors. [2016]
The Gloucester fishing fleet has always challenged the weather. [2018]
Looking up at wave crests, from the Audubon sanctuary. [2020]
The sea working itself into a frenzy at Brace Cove. [2021]
Ominous weather conditions outside Brace Cove. [2022]
A wave with personality, Eastern Point lighthouse. [2022]
Colliding waves. [2022]
This duck is unperturbed by the Northeast storm. [2022]
Double-decker wave. [2024]

Mixed Venues — pat morss

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No particular topic this time.

Last March, a few plastic plantings were added to a tree cavity.
By August, the theme was headed toward Jurassic Park.
This March the growing number of offerings is overwhelming.
One of several passing deer chose to check out the bird feeder activity.
Mallard squadron departing from Niles Pond.
NOT the horizon and clouds, but just flat ice beyond open water on the pond.
A lone Red-breasted Merganser displaying his diving skills at Brace Cove.
The dive is instantaneous.
He spent more time underwater than above.
One of our sociable winter residents, a damp Downy Woodpecker.
A flock of Cedar Waxwings was tossing berries around.
Quite satisfied following Sunday brunch.

Winter Here and There — pat morss

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We’ll start with the “there,” our visit to Anne-Lise’s sister Berit and husband Jan in Tjome, Norway. And then the “here” with yesterday’s recreation on ice at Niles Pond, Gloucester (there was an excellent video posted last evening).

Flying across Norway, which has 3/4 the population of Massachusettss, but 15 times the area.
Landing at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport. A bit like Essex farms?
Norwegian winter birds – a Eurasian Magpie and a Hooded Crow.
Our Mute Swans are scarce, but they are abundant on the Norwegian coastline.
Fresh shrimp caught daily are reason enough to visit Norway. Time for Berit’s and my open sandwiches.
Gloucester’s short season is dead in the water, but Norway’s is still 12 months.
The evening golden hour has always attracted painters in Tjome and on Cape Ann.
Our same sunsets. We’ll all have equal day and night at the equinox in a month.
Back on Niles Pond, I wasn’t familiar with this iceboarding technology.
Iceboarders and iceboats share the pond.
Iceboats accelerate fast in puffs of wind.
Comfortable temperatures brought out skaters, sailors, hockey players and a dog.
Maintaining a broad reach allowed sails to take you in opposite directions.
This actually looks less comfortable than the weather.

Winter Progresses — pat morss

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Sure looks different from mid-summer.

However, the familiar Song Sparrow reminds us spring will come.
While a squirrel struggles for a hand-out of suet.
Just a few of the dozen-plus seals finding some winter sun at Brace Cove.
A slice of sun slashes through the clouds illuminating sea smoke on a cold morning.
One of the coyotes with mange searching for food, on the rocks in the fog.
While other healthy ones look pretty content, napping in the sun.
I’m told this Red-tailed Hawk may have been decapitated by a Great Horned Owl.
Our Inuit friends help hold my cross-country skis, while I look for boots and poles.
Skiing “out the door,” the first few strides are challenging.
The skis are happy to be back on the snow. But where’s the groomed trail?
First rite of spring, when the sun sets north of the lighthouse again.

The Storm That Wasn’t, and was — pat morss

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We anticipated a Nor’easter that didn’t materialize, but the the ‘Winter Wonderland’ that followed was magical.

The day before, families were out for a final walk.
Wind and waves began building, but this was as far as we got.
Next morning after the snowfall, all was white, contrasting with low tide.
Eastern Point light peeked over the encrusted bushes.
Our native winter-trimmed wild cherries stood sentinel.
Anne-Lise couldn’t wait to get outside for our walk.
Frozen, glistening, pure, enchanting, mystic, immaculate, numbing, …
… pristine, entrancing, otherworldly, glazed, squeaky-clean – and Magical.

So, What’s New? — pat morss

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Catching up on 2025.

This is as far south as the sun got at the Winter Solstice – now it’s headed north again!
Our resident Norwegian gnomes helped us usher in the New Year.
A lapse in flag etiquette. It’s been blowing hard.
Two otters playing in open water at the far side of Niles Pond, which is icing over.
Eiders are comfortable in the warmer ocean, that’s creating cold-air sea smoke.
We got some snow, making the deer (L) in the Audubon sanctuary easier to spot.
Mother and kids foraging in the snow, yesterday.
A buck is vigilant, not far away.
‘Sea Challenger,’ the wind turbine platform, ghosts by silently in the snowfall.
Snow is just another day for Gloucester fishermen, headed out.
Gulls and Mallards congregate around a remaining opening in the ice at Niles Pond.
Wet snow compromised the smooth ice today, but skaters and hockey players made do.

A Family Tribute – pat morss

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Anne-Lise inherited some Norwegian ski sweater embroidery that was never used. It was time to put it to its rightful use.

The embroidery was hand-sewn by either her mother or her grandmother.
Anne-Lise found this traditional mid-19th century design.
Taught at school, she continues to knit several sweaters a year.
Starting the body of the sweater on circular needles, the Norwegian way.
The body is nearly complete.
And then the sleeves, on shorter circular needles.
Two parallel lines of thread secure the yarn before cutting the neck opening.
The separate body and sleeves are waiting to be knit together.
But first, the “heirloom” neck embroidery is sewn into place.
Again secured with thread, the body is cut to receive the sleeves.
The finished sweater, created by generations.

Seasons Have Their Magic — pat morss

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Tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 4:21 is the winter solstice, bringing its own seasonal attributes.

Mostly dog walkers enjoy the fading-light solitude of Good Harbor Beach.
In contrast to a hot summer day in 1985.
Pretty much the same in 2016, except beach umbrellas were more popular.
Swimmers are not distracted by the view of Thacher Island’s twin lights.
Back to the peaceful present.
One of our winter residents taking a sunbath after a long swim, Brace Cove.
A lone female Ruddy Duck crosses monochrome Niles Pond.
While a Ring-billed Gull struts with purpose across a frozen portion.
A content Hooded Merganser pair.
He tests his hood diplay. “Just kidding; too early.”
A turkey showing off her aerodynamic shape. She can fly up to 55 mph.
Winter produces spectacular sunsets. ‘Sea Installer’ headed out from Salem.
Now it’s time to celebrate family and the Holiday Season.

Mergansers and Shalin Liu — pat morss

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Totally unrelated – Testosterone levels are rising in the Hooded Merganser population. And Anne-Lise and I had a great evening out in Rockport at “A Tribute to a Charlie Brown Christmas.”

On Niles Pond, the guys are already eyeing the female Hooded Mergansers.
“Time to test out my dance in front of the women.” No reaction.
Another male gives it a try. Same result. “I guess it’s not mating season yet.”
Off in a corner, still another male is ready for his practice run.
Excellent form, good height.
His landing could stand a little work. I gave him an 8.5.
We began our Rockport evening with a fine dinner at Fleur Cuisine Harborside.
Then to the Shalin Liu Performane Center, for David Benoit’s ‘Charlie Brown’ production.
David Benoit, piano; Courtney Fortune, vocals; Roberto Vally, base; Daniel Schnelle, drums.
Joined by the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, and Cape Ann Arts Alive Singers.
A highlight was the solo by Perry Ramsden. Courtney loves it.
“That was incredible.”