SkyWatch Friday, Northern Gannet

Going out on a whale watching trip gives you a good opportunity to get some great birds. This time of year, we have Northern Gannets off shore. These were shot last Saturday. If you are coming in from the SkyWatch link and you have not seen my Humpback Whale pictures yet, you're in for a treat.

Piping Plover, Thinking Green Thursday

These are my first Piping Plover pictures of the year.

The Piping Plover is listed as endangered in Canada and the inland United States and is threatened along coast including where we are. This status resulted from direct and unintentional harassment by people, dogs, vehicles and destruction of beach habitat for development.

Here on the North Shore, there is a population along Plum Island and Cranes Beach. A large section of the Plum Island beaches are closed during breeding season and sections of Cranes Beach are roped off.

When shooting these birds, I will spend about 30 seconds with the bird to ascertain its comfort level and snap the picture. Later in the season, they will become more accustomed to people and I should get closer shots. For now, prudent cropping is the best way to go.






If you are coming in from a direct link, be sure to check out yesterday's Humpback Whale pictures!

Be sure to visit Thinking Green Thursday.

Mid-Spring Whale Watch Voyage

Saturday afternoon we went out on the Privateer IV for a whale watching trip. The Gloucester boats go out to the Stellwagen Bank located in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This is located between Gloucester and Cape Cod. The currents bring nutrients from deep down up to the surface. The rich soup supports a food chain from the tiniest plants up to the planet’s largest animals.

This was the Privateer IV’s second trip out this year. The whale activity is excellent and the numbers show promise for a great whale watching season. You can hop a whale boat out of Gloucester during the weekends. In the summer season, the whale boats will go out twice a day, seven days per week.

Click on the Cape Ann Vacations link and find out how easy it is to do this. Each of the Gloucester whaling fleet will take good care of you.

I know many of my readers are birders, so bring your field guides and get some pelagics on your life lists.

Here are some of my favorites from the day.














If you like whale pictures, you should see my whales from last year! I have pictures of them feeding.

Henry's Elfin

I came across this Henry's Elfin on Plum Island hear Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Shades of Gray, Gloucester Fog

We had fog this past Tuesday and Wednesday. The fog was so thick that the visibility was only 100 yards at times.

Smiths Cove.


Taken at State Fish Pier.


There was still fishing going on.


The foot bridge to Good Harbor Beach.


Here is a picture of a woman and her dog on Good Harbor Beach.
She was about 50 yards from me when I took the picture.


How did he find that ball?


Bass Rocks


Eastern Point Light.

Gloucester Town Hall


Foreshadow: What’s coming up this week?

A little elfin magic.


Find out what this is all about.


Looking for LUV!

Garter Snake and a Turtle

I came across this little fellow walking along the Ipswich River. There are lots of turtles in the river. This youngster was sunning himself on the bank.




It is uncommon for me to see snakes, alway looking in the trees for birds, but I did spy this garter snake on a walk in the woods on Thursday.





Friday, I spotted this one hunting in the marsh along the Hellcat Boardwalk on Plum Island.


For those coming in from a direct feed link, be sure to see today's Common Eiders posted earlier!

Common Eiders

I hope you don't mind another Common Eider post, but I took these pictures and had to show a few of them.

Forgotten Photo Friday, Derby Warf Light, Salem, MA

For those that are new to SMU, Forgotten Photo Friday is my chance to pull photos out of the archives that I never got around to posting. Usually they are great photos for the time, but then my attention gets pulled to something else before I get a chance to post them and before you know it, the photos are no longer timely.

Such is this photo of Derby Warf Light with the fall colors located in Salem, Massachusetts.

SkyWatch Friday, Tenpound Island at Dusk

Dusk falls over Gloucester Harbor. The green light is the nun buoy marking the channel into Gloucester Harbor. The little lighthouse is Tenpound Island Light. Off to the right in the background is the red light at the end of Dogbar Breakwater.

Dogbar Breakwater extends one half mile from Eastern Point in East Gloucester across the mouth of Gloucester Harbor providing a safe haven form the north east storm waves.

Have you ever Really Looked at a Gull?

Great Black-backed Gull


Herring Gull


Herring Gull


Great Black-backed Gull


Herring Gull

New MEME, Think Green Thursday

Fellow Massachusetts blogger, Pagan Sphinx, has created a new MEME. The concept is Think Green Thursday. In support of her effort, this is my humble submission. This is a few of the wind turbines just north of Palm Springs.

Herring, Herring Boats and Herring Gulls