We strolled along the pier, Rich snapping photos, and me just breathing deeply and savoring the summer smells of saltwater, sunscreen, and seaweed. We noticed a bright red lobster boat at the dock and sauntered over to take a look at the catch. He had some doosies! I asked the weight of one in particular that looked like a granddaddy to me, but was surprised to hear the estimate of only 8 pounds. I wondered how old a 6-8 pound lobster was. Now I can’t vouch for the following, but I read later if you multiply a lobster’s weight by 4, then add 3, you’ve got a pretty good estimate of it’s age. So that 8 pound lobster was roughly 35 years old!

Jumbo Lobster

Turning away we spotted a truck with a couple of tubs of huge lobsters spilling out over the top. They were so large that their claws, which would normally be secured with a rubber band, were wrapped with duck tape! I made Rich take a picture of these beasts with my hand as a reference for size. I’ve never seen such a monster lobster. Imagine how old he must be?!

White or Albino Finch

Later that same week we were cleaning up the kitchen from our normal breakfast service. It was a warm day, humid, with unsettled air that kept us inside rather than serving breakfast out on the deck in the summer sunshine. From a distance, we spotted a white bird on a tree limb in the dense foliage that is our back yard. As we watched, this beautiful creature approached our feeders on the deck. Hovering for position, it had to out maneuver the titmice, cardinals, sparrows, chicadees, and gold finches that feast on our humble offerings each morning. But soon enough he found a spot and took a perch. Rich ran for his camera, never thinking the unusual bird would sit still for a candid. But he lingered long enough for Rich to get his shot. We think it was either a white or albino finch, which is very rare I am told. And we haven’t seen it again since. But we’ll keep watching and hoping.

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Strange and Unusual Sightings on Cape Cod

Whale Mom with calf

According to an article by the Associated Press, right whales have plenty to celebrate this Mother’s Day – the sea moms gave birth to a record 39 calves this spring. The New England Aquarium said Friday that the birth surge breaks the old record of 31 and shows much improvement from 2000, when only one calf was born.

Each birthing season is important because right whales number fewer than 400 and are among the most endangered whales in the world. Having a calf is no easy task for the 50-foot-long whales, who give birth off the Florida and Georgia coasts.

The moms travel nearly 1,000 miles down the East Coast to warmer waters for their babies, who weigh roughly 2,400 pounds at birth. And the moms can lose up to 30,000 pounds in the first year they are nursing.

Treat your Mom to a Whale of an Adventure package at the High Pointe Inn on Cape Cod where she can experience a variety of whales, including right whales up close and personal throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

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Cape Cod Whales