The Japanese defense forces couldn't stop Godzilla.....I captured the beast!

The Japanese defense forces couldn't stop Godzilla.....I captured the beast!
Spied this over Route 128 on my way home from work. Dirty windshield and strong sun glare I had to darken the image and crop out the sun. That's the only edit to what's probably my worse quality image. I figured some would get a kick out of it so I posted the pic on facebook. A few shares later it's gone world wide! Who would of thunk it?

Why I created this......

Born and raised in Gloucester, Ma fishing gets in your blood. Surrounded by the sea, kids here have a boat almost as much as kids elsewhere have bicycles! As I grew older my fishing ambitions gave way to what's around me. Although I still "drop a line" every so often, my attention wanders to the majesty of the natural light that make this place so special. Never is each day the same. The subjects may be the same but the light from the sea & sky will morph the subject into a form of art. For that reason artists have been drawn to these shores for several hundred years, they followed the light painting and sketching these surroundings. What artists capture with paint on canvas, I attempt to capture with a click.....if I'm lucky!

I guess that's a sort of Fish'n!

Jay Albert

Jay Albert 2023 all rights reserved


Click on any post image to enlarge.

"A Gloucester Christmas ! "

My Views of Gloucester !

Friday, April 29, 2011

A Maritime Collection and a Change In Rules !

After being away for safety training I gathered some more images from last weeks storm and from around the docks.

A new government requirement will be enforced starting May 1st. It will require all Dock Monitors(me)to board all vessels after all fish has been unloaded to assure the boat is empty of fish. I'm not the only one who is not happy about this rule, other DM's are semi-retired and injury is a real possibility. Low tide climbing down slippery and damaged ladders, confined spaces with slippery fish holds and vessels slamming the dock in heavy weather are some of the concerns. The whole unload process will slow down, at times I have as many as 8-12 boats a day at different docks around the waterfront. I also cover Rockport and Newburyport, and this new season instead of covering a minimum of 50% of the landings.....62% will have to be covered!

For almost a year now I have worked the trust of the captains, with this new rule I feel the captains would think I don't trust them! But rules are rules and hopefully this requirement will revert back to where it belongs....In the hands of law enforcement!

Note: the 1st two images were taken with my cell phone.

USCG Training Facility at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod(that other cape).

"Hard Aground"!

USCG check net mesh size aboard "Christina Eleni" (They were in compliance).

Eric brings in more totes at the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction.

All smiles!

Brace Cove

A bit rough out!

Good Harbor Beach

A bridge to nowhere!

Checking out the surf.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Boater Safety.....How's your knowledge?

The boating season is fast approaching, and one of my pet peeves are boaters who don't have a clue on the water. When I thought I've seen it all something different happens to amaze me....not always good! I found a great web site that covers all the boating rules not only from state to state but all the Canadian Provinces as well. A boat safety course is a great way to learn and brush up on your boating knowledge.


Reading a book.

Big pilot house!

Bow crowd!

"Delfino"

Dog on boat.

Environmental Police snag lobster buoy!

Eastern at speed.

Fishing off the beach.

Gloucester 20

North Coast

"Penguin"

Fishing machine "Samay"

Sea Hunt in flight!

Stamas motors into the harbor.

Blynman Bridge averages 10,000 openings a year!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Fire & Water !

On Thursday a brush fire threatened homes in the Poles Hill area of town. With winds at 35 mph firefighters battled the 3 alarm blaze. Through their outstanding efforts no homes were lost and no one hurt! In the meantime the schooner "Thomas E. Lannon" is back in the water all prettied up for the 2011 season.

Firefighters assemble at Wheeler Street.

Lacrosse game in the smoke.

Poles hill burning.

The prop.

"Thomas E. Lannon" on the move....on land!

Close that door!

Moving along at a brisk 1 mph!

Going in.

The Paint Factory under the bow.

Captain Tom Ellis at the helm.

Pulling away.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Ryan & Wood and Cape Ann Images.....How Cool!

A few months back Bob Ryan of Ryan & Wood Distillery approached me with an idea. Bob thought the Cape Ann Images logo above would make a fine label for their new product "Straight Rye Whiskey". After some digging into my database I sent Bob a high resolution image minus the seagull overlay.

According to Bob:
The label on the bottle is an image of Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial taken by Jay Albert. It is a strange connection, says Bob, to use an image taken by Jay. It was at his Dad’s package store, Mooter’s, where I tried to make my first alcohol purchase. I say “tried” because, due to some doubt of my age, Mr. Albert and Mr. Eddie Silva threw me out on my can. I thank them now for that.

Federal Standard of Identity: Straight Rye Whiskey
Whisky produced at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof), from a fermented mash of not less than 51 percent rye and stored at not more than
62.5% alcohol by volume (125 proof) in charred new oak containers, for not less than 2
years in new barrels

Rye Whiskey was what we first distilled knowing that it would years before we would learn what the aging process here in Gloucester would deliver. We processed only 4 barrels at that time, last July, 2008. Barrel # 11 exemplifies what we want to be for our Rye whiskey. We will follow with #’s 1, 2 & 10 as they are ready. We have since barreled, on average, one smaller 30 gallon barrel a month.
Rye Whiskey: Whiskey of Colonial America.
Barrels: Purchased from Bluegrass Cooperage, Kentucky, 53 gallon Whiskey Barrels, Medium toast, #3 Char
Grains: Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley
Barrel date: Barrel # 11 , July 12, 2008
Bottle date: April 19, 2011 , true “Patriots Day”
Bottles: 336 bottles or 56 x 6 bottle cases
Label credit : MGT design, Maureen Terrill.
Label Image: courtesy of Jay Albert
Label thought: Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial Cenotaph, aka “The Man at the Wheel” statue, is the icon of Gloucester. While stopped in traffic waiting for the “cut” bridge to be lowered, we all have studied the statue from this view. Our thoughts will drift out towards the Breakwater and beyond to the horizon. The romance of chasing dreams and what could be takes shape. We honor that vista with our label.

Ryan & Wood Distillery, “The Spirit of Cape Ann” is a family run craft distillery located in Gloucester, Mass. Other Spirits produced include “Beauport Vodka”, “Knockabout Gin” and “Folly Cove Rum”.

Label designed by Maureen Terrill of MGT design.

German made 600 liter alembic copper pot still. (Note my fingers glowing pink fron covering my hand over the flash to diffuse the light.)

30 gallon barrels.

Bob Ryan and Bob Hastings Executive Director of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Hastings checks out the aroma.

Bottles waiting for labeling.

Mr. Hastings applying the first label.

Slowly turning the bottle.

First bottle!

First three bottles.

Bob Ryan signs the first bottles.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Fluid Dynamics !

The mighty ocean always in constant motion, tugged by tide and wind expels itself upon the shore. Nature's wonders that burst on our rocks never ceases to amaze me. When trying to capture these scenes I was mesmerized by both sight and sound. I spent my time between Good Harbor Beach and Brace Cove and must remind anyone who ventures close to the shore the dangers of being swept away. If you feel you are at a safe distance....you are not!


Flooded Good Harbor Beach parking lot.

Strolling the beach.

"The House"

Talk about oceanfront views!

Battered rocks.

Here's someone who is too close for comfort!

A powerful blast!

Double blast!

Just plain explosive!

The sound from this is deafening!

Reaching high!

Brace Rock under siege!

White foam!

Turbulent seas!

"Glosta Logic"

It's not "soda" and not "pop" or even "soda pop" it's "tonic"!
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It's a "rotary" not a "roundabout"!
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"Going up the line" is a term used when leaving the island!
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A "jigga"is a homemade powerless go-cart!
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It's not "Break Time or Coffee Break" it's "Mug-up"!
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It's not a "water fountain" it's a "Bubbla"!
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Angels in Disguise

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Unloading Haddock !

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25th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival Slideshow !

SailGloucester 2009 Slideshow !

Allie Hates Soccer!