Author: patmorss

Surviving the Dog-days of Summer — pat morss

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The recent hot spell finally broke today. We’ve all been coping with it in different ways.

You can walk early when it’s cooler and there’s more shade (and people).
Some of us just get grouchy.
“Boy, is it hot? I’m just standing here sweating like mad.”
There are always those who just blissfully soak it up. You know who you are!
Can you escape to the beach for the afternoon?
If you’re tired of suffering, try playing a game. Who’s going to blink first?
Do whatever it takes to keep cool.
The Rose of Sharons love the sun, which is fine with the Monarchs.
Find a friend with a boat. Any kind of boat.
But don’t over-exert yourself.
Thankfully, we have those who continue working, no matter the weather.

Out on the Water — pat morss

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Summer is the best time to enjoy Gloucester Harbor and the adjacent coast.

In the harbor, we see Hammond Castle, a listed National Historic Landmark.
Beauport Museum is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
As is the Eastern Point Light Station, viewed from outside the breakwater.
Schooner ‘Adventure’ is yet another of Gloucester’s listed cultural treasures.
The US Coast Guard is a valued treasure of a different sort.
Visitors to Dog Bar breakwater, with schooner ‘Thomas E Lannon’ beyond.
‘Ernestina Morrissey’ is a regular participant in the Labor Day schooner races.
Lobsters or sportfishing (see rods on canopy)? OK to enjoy business and pleasure.
Our Yngling class, Norwegian sailboat ‘Troll,’ encounters her Viking heritage.
‘Polaris’ has 14 oars – does she enter the Blackburn Cup race around Cape Ann?
If you’re not on a boat, it doesn’t matter. You can still enjoy the water. Morning mist.

Bluefin Blowout — pat morss

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Talk about perfect timing. – yesterday afternoon Anne-Lise and I arrived at Cape Ann Marina just as ‘Mojo’ was backing in to the float to weigh her tuna, in the annual two-day Bluefin Blowout competition. Here’s one boat’s weigh-in.

A tournament official gives the fish an overall inspection.
Cutting out the remainder of internal organs before the weigh-in.
Our perch on a corner of the deck, with ‘Mojo’ at the center.
Adding the scale above the tail; it reads 649 pounds – TOURNAMENT WINNER.
Its veteran eyes have seen the oceans.
The crane lifts the champion ashore for photographs.
A time to be proud and to celebrate.
Lowering the winner back onto ‘Mojo.’
Some final cleanup before the fish is back on the floorboards.
Covered by reflective aluminum, the prize heads off to … (?)

Summer on Cape Ann — pat morss

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One sign of summer is the outdoor performances at Windhover Center for the Performing Arts in Rockport. Last weekend we stumbled on the first-ever presentation by the new United Flamenco Arts Society, which was concluding its week-long residency for international Flamenco artists.

The Windhover campus, where Flamenco Arts was in residency.
Dancers, musicians and singers waiting to go on stage.
Taking turns showing what they have learned.
A dancer exhibiting her love for the art form.
There are other signs of summer – larger yachts moored in the harbor.
Flying the colors, returning home during Fiesta.
Summer comes with fireworks over Gloucester Harbor.
And then there’s fishing – Eddy egret joins his friends on Niles Pond.
Humans are fishing too – it works fine from a properly equipped kayak.
Or casting from the rocks in the fog.
As a “ghost ship” coasts by.

Animal Interlude — pat morss

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A quick break from the Gloucester celebrations between St Peter’s Fiesta and July Fourth.

Painted Turtle on a road trip.
Bunnies are quickly becoming Rabbits.
The Mourning Doves are already on a 2nd nest at the other end of the solar panels.
The Finch family has flown. We promised we won’t remove the nest again this year.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker, serving as sentinel: “Scramble – Redwings incoming.”
Osprey above Niles Pond. Annie or Squam from behind Lobsta Land, off Route 128?
Down at pond level, a Black-crowned Night-Heron is OK drinking brackish water.
Hank Heron is rock-hopping the perimeter, looking for lunch.
Eddy Egret is stretching for hard to reach back feathers – 21 neck vertebrae help.
A White-tailed deer in the driveway, with his new felt-covered antlers.
The boys are returning from fishing on the Audubon rocks.
Apparently testosterone levels are still high.

It’s Summer at Our House — pat morss

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Finally, it feels and looks like summer as we pass the solstice.

House Finches at the front door; their beaks seem to grow the fastest.
Mourning Dove parents at the solar panels, tending to their two squabs.
Feeding both hungry kids at one time. Next morning the nest was empty.
It’s fun watching a professional. Eddy Egret on the lookout, hopping around.
Strike, with perfect timing.
Caught it!
Off to a comfortable rock to dine.
Whale watch season is in full swing; boats retrurning from their afternoon trips.
Joined on the deck by a swarm of feeding dragonflies. Jet contrails above.
BEFORE: Lobster dinner tastes better in the summer.
AFTER: No explanation needed.

Challenges in our Nursery — pat morss

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Things are going well in some cases, but not so well in others.

REFRESHER: Our House Finches returned and she laid 5 eggs at our front door.
UPDATE: Looks like 2 growing chicks; hope the other 3 eggs hatch.
REFRESHER: Wrens trying to survive contractors, mail/newspaper deliveries, trash pickup.
UPDATE: No adults for 2 weeks; I slid out the nest to look; eggs appear abandoned.
We learned the male Mourning Dove tends the nest during the day.
And the female tends during the evening and night; here she’s taking over their 2 squabs.
Presumably dad, this morning, after feeding the kids; thunder storms then hit the nest.
Last evening a lone baby fawn crossed the lawn and looked for shelter.
It lay down, not yet taught to fear humans.
No sign of it this morning. Hope it was picked up by mom, not a coyote.
On a bright note, Eddy Egret met us at Niles Pond.
He flew ahead to his next fishing rock (he’s been fishing our low tide rocks too).
He greeted us when we caught up with him on our walk.

Potpourri — pat morss

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No particular theme popped up out of recent happenings.

A gift of fresh rhubarb grown by a neighbor.
Still Life in stones, with a vertical garden.
Gray Catbird with an appreciation for sulpture.
“This is why I’m called a Red-winged Blackbird.”
“I told him he had to leave.”
“But you do still smell of turtle.”
Eiders moving in a little too close to Mother Mallard’s duckling (bottom).
Back in proper formation.
Navigating under sail. [classic deepwater schooner]
And by motor. [speed and noise]
And with both. [look like a flying tick?]
Two cruise ships navigate toward Boston at dawn, completing their trips.

Practicing (for) Parenting — pat morss

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Breaking news on the feather front.

Female Common Eiders are already well into it, sharing parenting.
More moms taking care of fewer kids is even better.
Maybe catching up, a male Goldfinch is resplendent in his breeding plumage.
A pair of Cedar Waxwings, planning their family.
Ms. Mourning Dove is nesting again on top of our hot water solar panels.
Mr Dove is content to watch from the railing above.
Our House Finches are nesting. Last summer we mistakenly took their nest away early.
They planned a second brood and had to build again. Look at his expression of disdain.
“Houston – We have a problem.”
Carolina Wrens are starting a family in our Boston Globe delivery box.

Whatever Floats — pat morss

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Goings on around Gloucester’s Eastern Point waters.

USCG Buoy Tender ‘Marcus Hanna’ stops by to service Nun 4.
Shaving off the seaweed, some welding on the chain, and back into the water.
‘Hurricane II’ slowed down to investigate – I missed the splash at the right.
It was whale tail activity off the lighthouse.
Commercial fishing was inshore yesterday with boats working in pairs.
‘Tribiah Lee’ pulling in her net as lobster boat ‘Jupiter II’ passes by.
The word was out, as ‘Tribiah Lee’ and ‘Money Shot’ wrapped up their catch.
The Audubon sanctuary rocks are strangely tempting for surfers.
In this bird watching instance, the birds are doing the watching.
On Niles Pond, the mother of ten appears to have lost a duckling.
She can take cover along the shore.
Then the kids playing on top of the muskrat lodge.

Mallard Mothers — pat morss

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On Mothers Day, these Mallard women clearly need a break.

This mother of 10 is doing OK keeping her brood safe in the straw.
Until some of the kids strike out toward the middle of Niles Pond.
While this mother of 14 already looks over-stressed.

First Ducklings — pat morss

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We saw our first family of 8 Mallard ducklings last week. Otherwise, it is all hidden activity on Niles Pond.

The little ones are already capable swimmers.
But climbing over sticks is like an obstacle course.
Mom is following along, but letting them explore.
She takes a break to comb her beautiful feathers.
Dad has it easy, napping on top of the muskrat lodge.
Behind schedule: “Follow me, dear – I found a great nesting area.”
Up above, a Downy Woodpecker is rat-a tat-tatting, in sewing machine mode.
A Carolina Wren answers a call.
All of a sudden there are Grey Catbirds everywhere.
Calling all pollinators – “We’re open for business.”
Last weekend we watched the 150th Kentucky Derby at a neighbor’s house.
Their cat couldn’t believe the photo-finish on the big screen.

Buds, Boats and Birds — pat morss

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It’s late spring with signs of the summer season.

Flowering trees are in full bloom.
And indoor orchids are responding in kind.
The US Coast Guard has finished monitoring the short April scallop season.
Cape Ann Whale Watch has launched their summer trips, here heading out.
As has 7 Seas Whale Watch, heading back in.
Off-shore wind turbine construction vessel ‘Sea Installer‘ headed toward the Salem base.
A double-take when sister-ship ‘Sea Challenger‘ pulled into Gloucester yesterday.
Cardinals are key contributors to the chorus in the mating market.
This Red-winged Blackbird spreads its wings for emphasis with each squawk.
A Chipping Sparrow joins our family of friends.
Perhaps this is the same Song Sparrow that greets us frequently fom the same bush.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron was eating something behind the muskrat lodge.
And then moved on to reconnoiter another part of Niles Pond.

Back to the birds–pat morss

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Feather activity is picking up as spring advances.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker awaits its turn on the feeder.
Just off the rocks, Common Eiders ride the swells.
Up, over, and down the other side.
A Song Sparrow takes a break, resting on one leg.
And then it’s back to work.
A Red-tailed Hawk hovers in the wind, looking for a live lunch.
A Turkey Vulture is content with the already dead.
Wild Turkeys – do those look like expressions of love?
Poop rock, Niles Pond; this Double-crested Cormorant looks a little moth-eaten.
Center duck to Merganser: “You DO know you are hogging our rock?”
“OK then, we’ll just move in until you leave.”
This stylish Red-breasted Merganser pair looks happily married.
Left Canada Goose: “Will you accept this engagement band and marry me?”
A male Mallard crosses from pond to wetland, presumably to his mate on a nest.

Not Just the Eclipse — pat morss

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The solar eclipse, with 93% totality in Gloucester, claimed the most attention over the last week, but terrestrial life continued on.

You never know what will turn up on a walk – here, a diorama in a tree trunk hollow.
The short scallop season opened April 1st, with local and visiting boats out at all hours.
Shucking and bagging scallops off Eastern Point, as regulated, before landing the catch.
Anne-Lise’s straightforward preparation of this ultra-fresh seafood for dinner.
Speaking of dinner, the deer equally appreciate our fresh, budding spring greens.
And then, yesterday’s eclipse. This is 10% in, when the light starts to get strange.
I couldn’t find my dense gray filter, and the exposure system was overpowered.
So, I improvised with a hole punched in a sheet of paper, held over the telephoto lens.
Remember the pin-hole camera you made in science class? The effect isn’t bad.
Ghoulish afternoon daylight, as the moon reaches our maximum 93% coverage of the sun.

Artisanal Waves — pat morss

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The waves from yesterday’s Northeast storm have a natural beauty. No captions required.

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What’s that bird — pat morss

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This is to answer a question from a viewer – I also wondered what this bird was at the bottom of the bird feeder photo. It didn’t look dark enough for a Red-winged Blackbird, but our ornithologist daughter assured us it is, but is a one year old male.

Current Events — pat morss

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Back to current events with our wildlife.

Cop Cormorant is directing traffic on Niles Pond.
Spring sun means preening for Easter.
Through the reeds, a group photo. SMILE
Painted Turtles are marshalling forces. “Attack when I give the word.”
A content Red-breasted Merganser couple parading the shoreline.
But we dive for food most of the day and it’s exhausting.
When the wind kicks up a chop we take refuge under the bushes.
Embarrassed seals at Brace Cove, giving up a prime sunning rock to two Herring Gulls.
Just missed a great photo of a wet River Otter cantering by under our bird feeder.
Overhead, there’s competition and a pecking order at the feeder.
A curious Common Grackle watches the activity, oblivious to the rain.
An upside to Spring rains is the rainbows.

Former Neighbors — pat morss

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Things are slow as we wait for the next generation of wildlife to appear. So, here is Part 1 of some of our neighbors who visited us, before I began posting on Good Morning Gloucester 5 years ago.

1973: Bruce Goose didn’t go south as expected – stayed until late winter.
1975: Indoors, Brutus and Mai-Tai were the best of friends. (Mai-Tai could bite)
1989: Racoons visited our 2nd floor deck back when we fed pets outdoors.
1990: Swan families were in abundance on Niles Pond.
1995: Pheasants would strut across our property. No more.
1996: Sunrise over Niles Pond, headed to the train.
1999: First Great Blue Heron we were aware of. Maybe Hank Heron’s grandfather.
2001: This Snowy Owl lived in transit in the Audubon sanctuary for a few weeks.
2004: A Red-tailed Hawk perusing the sanctuary from its perch outside our window.
2009: Word spread fast – Ivory Gull at Eastern Point Breakwater (flying in, dead center).
2009: Closeup courtesy of Derek, our son-in-law, also attracted from out of state.
2010: Gordo Baird’s barnyard, documented for years in the Gloucester Daily Times.

We’re already in Meteorological Spring — pat morss

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Astronomical Spring is based on the path of the sun, beginning on the Vernal Equinox. This year it is the earliest since 1896, at 11:06 pm on March 19th. Meteorological Spring always starts on March 1st and lasts exactly 3 months, and is based on temperature and a consistent calendar. I think I’ll side with the meterorologists.

Our Siren Seal of the Seas likes the thaw, on her customary rock in Brace Cove.
But ice persisted at the edge of Niles Pond, offering skate waddling for the Mallards.
Sally Scaup is perfecting her competition Forward Dive.
There was a bit of a splash on the entry, but I’ll give her a 9-1/2 score.
I guess we know who’s the boss here.
“I’ve told you a hundred times to stop pooping on our rock.”
Maggie Merganser is just back from the feather salon and looking for action.
Which comes in the form of another Mallard mating. “Is this the time”?
Yes, it is.
He celebrates with a victory lap.
She seems happy too, although aware of the family-raising challenges ahead.
Spring is happy time for dog walking. “Bruno – are you coming or going”?
And you know it’s Spring when you see your first crocuses.