The Sun is on Vacation !

Seven day forecast.....Rain and overcast skies! That's it in a nutshell.


Faint rainbow....the last of the sun for a week!

"Jenny G" pulling up to the dock.

High tide!

"Julie Ann II" comes in.

Gulls

Frog in a puddle on my walkway!

In and Around !

Google Blogger was down for maintenance the last few days, no way of adding new content. I gathered a few days worth of shots in and around the harbor. You just never know what you might see!

Dog driver! I guess he's got a valid dog license!

Show of force!

"Tina & Tom" pass the Paint Factory.

Fuel Barge "Capt. Dave"

"Jamie & Ashley"

"Midnight Sun" passes Paint Factory.

Beyond the bow.

Loading totes.

Moving Redfish along.

Working ON the table!

Pallets and totes!

Looking down the ladder.

Among The Blood & Guts !

Commercial fishing is back at full swing with the opening of this years season. Dogfish, Cod, Haddock, Pollock, Redfish, Monkfish, Cusk, and various flounders are among the many species being landed. Keeping up with the offloads is one of my challenges, the last thing I want is to slow the process down and so far so good. One thing this job has done to me is to NOT rely on a calculator. I'm now at the point of adding totals in my head and checking my results the old fashion way, by pen and paper. The winter had much to do with that, the cold temps made my calculator useless and at times my pen would freeze up! Offloading a fishing vessel is fast paced, watching the scale as fish are culled and filled in totes gets you into a rhythm. Getting a phone call during offload is another challenge. Usually it's the office(In Yarmouth, N.S. Canada) to tell me what boat,where and when it's due. Then it's grab the Droid, drag my finger across the screen to answer, get the info and put it back in the holster while 112 lbs of Cod just went across the scale. All this while holding my clip board and writing the results! And then there is the splatter, fish blood and guts and fish scales, on my cheeks, hitting my arms and hands, just all over! And the "bombing runs" from above that I mentioned in my last post! Am I complaining? NO! It's fresh, it's tradition, it's Gloucester, it's fun in a strange kind of way and it's a job!

Grey Morning.

All baited up!

All that bait attracts a crowd!

Checking out the catch as the next boat pulls in.

Dogfish aboard the "Irma C. II"

Culling Cod.

Flying Cod!

Escorted by gulls.

Josh

Holding myself up.

Attacked From Above !

After consultation with the President, I decided to release a photo of the attack.

Be warned....The photo you are about to view is graphic in nature. (Children may be induced into a laughing fit)

Ahhhh.... a job in the great outdoors, No 9-5 job under the same roof all day working with the same people. I've got the sea, the sky and fresh air (Well sometimes) and wildlife all about. And while waiting for the next boat to tie up I was attacked, a bombing run that would make the best combat pilot proud. A direct hit from a seagull from the shoulder down my arm and onto my clip board and hand! And it was not only warm but almost hot! That damn bird must of been flying for some time. Probably holding it in until he had the best target of opportunity......ME! And it hit with force!

SPLAT!

Three Amigos....Eric,Clemente and Josh.

"Ryan Zachary"

"Donna Marie" departs as "Double Trouble" arrives.

"Double Trouble"

"Lori B"

Tight squeeze!

Shoving ice.

Carlos "Shrek"

"AtlantiCat" high and dry.

136' "Scarlett Isabella"

Things Are Heating Up !

May 1st starts the new fishing season as boats head out in force hoping to get top dollar from the fish dealers. And a few brave souls tested the waters at Good Harbor Beach.


Going in!

I bet the water is cold!

The Creek

Ice shovels ready.

Blue bow, red hull.

"Midnight Sun" arrives.

Dorymen pull hard to avoid the trawler.

Ready with stern line.

Heaving the stern line.

Lobster boat "Jean Elizabeth" steams by.

Vito dancing to...... ABBA!

Vito still dancing!

Marc holding a Monkfish tail.

Dumping redfish.

Yes ! Justice For All !

With the news of the death of Osama bin Laden memories of September 11, 2001 are in the forefront. With all the thousands killed one of those comes to mind. James Trentini was my 7th grade Social Studies teacher at Central Grammer, one of those teachers who made an impact on my life. Always with a smile, eager to help and encourage. Mr. Trentini a proud ex marine and proud American was on American Airlines flight 11 along with his wife Mary that hit the north tower. They were on their way to California to visit their grand children. Rest in peace Mr. and Mrs. Trentini.