Famous for it's part in the movie Perfect Storm, the town of Gloucester is also renowned for it's sailors, fishermen and life on the sea. A town of harbor scenes, lighthouses, lobster men, schooners and fishing boats. I had an amazing visit there. Two of the highlights were whale watching and photographing endangered Piping Plovers. Those two events you can view elsewhere on this website. However, there was much more to see and I hope you enjoy the rest of this Massachusetts coastal scenery.
Lobstermen putting out their traps.
Walking the slender, winding streets, it's not possible to miss that almost every yard had a beautiful garden.
Much of the coast here is lined with rock, causing dramatic contrasts of waves, sea and shore, lovely secretive tide pools, and wide cliff settings perfect for mansions and graceful old hotels.
I was surprised to find few sea birds along the shore, although this strikingly large gull was present in force.
Herring Gull
This bird lives at sea and won't be seen on land other than to nest. One of many similar Petrels, I'm not sure which this particular one is. He was feeding from the fish the day I went whale watching.
Petrel
I spent a day exploring Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. It is located on a long skinny strip of island along the Massachusetts coast with broad salt marshes on the coastal side and brushy woods, sand dunes and beach along the seaside. There were many birds gracing this six mile island.
Eastern Kingbird
Snowy Egrets
Great Egret
Double-crested Cormorant
A new species for me! I was impressed with his iridescent feathers and the white bars on his face.
Glossy Ibis
Female Baltimore Oriole, Savannah Sparrow, American Goldfinch
I've always loved the rich, full heads of the Sea Oats which grow along the Atlantic Coast. Here, a flock of Tree Swallows has decorated a strip of Sea Oats along the salt marsh.
I was so impressed with Halibut Point State Park . A small park but brimming with birds and wildlife, it is situated at the point of Cape Ann on the Atlantic coast and sports a lighthouse, granite quarry, miles of trails, and a rocky shoreline. These are views of the granite quarry with the ocean in the near distance. So beautiful!
American Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker, Catbird, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird
Spotted Towhee
Going slightly off trail in the woodland area of the park, I came across a small, natural lily pond.
In a clearing near the pond, I met this fellow! At first he was a little apprehensive, but after several minutes he returned to foraging, stopping occasionally to look up and check on me.
To my delight, just like Peter in McGregor's garden, this wild bunny strayed upon some blackberries and began to eat.
Fortunately, this Peter was not in a farmer's garden and could enjoy to his heart's content. Which, evidently, he did!
Leaving the wooded part of the park, next I explored the shoreline. The rocks were covered with a beautiful greenish seaweed which surrounded many tide pools along the water's edge.
The two outer pictures here show the colorful bottoms of the tide pools.
If ever you wander onto Cape Ann, I highly recommend a visit to this state park.
Vivid pink blooms and gorgeous orange-red fruit are the hallmarks and a common seaside sight along the dunes of the Atlantic.
Rosa Rugosa
I admit to being an early riser. For this I am sometimes rewarded with early morning scenes like this one along Crane Beach.
Herring Gull, Common Terns
I can't help but laugh at this Piping Plover with his head in the sand. However, he is successful at finding his breakfast as you'll see in the next frame...
...hunger satisfied, though his meal choice would not be mine!
A pretty stone bridge was a highlight of my next stop which was the Ipswich River site of the Massachusetts Audubon refuges.
The area was a mix of forested hills and low lying wetlands.
Water Lily, Charming Prince
Female House Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager, Tufted Titmouse
And so ends my adventure to coastal Massachusetts. A truly magical visit.
