Latest news with #CapeCod
CBS News
12 hours ago
- CBS News
Map shows where great white sharks have been reported off Cape Cod this weekend
It's that time of year at the beaches of Massachusetts when the public is urged to be "shark smart." And there have been numerous sightings of great white sharks over the weekend, mostly off Cape Cod, data shows. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy keeps track of great whites in the area via the Sharktivity app. The app shows where sharks have been spotted based on reports from researchers, public officials and user-submitted photos. From Friday through mid-day Sunday, there have been more than a dozen shark reports. The blue fin icon indicates that researchers have confirmed the sighing. Here's when and where they happened: Chatham: On Friday, a white shark was spotted about 30 feet off North Beach Island, traveling south. The next morning, an acoustic receiver detected an 11-foot shark that researchers named "Baobab" in the area. Also on Saturday, a user reported that a shark was seen about 200 feet off North Beach Island and was headed south. Wellfleet: Early Sunday morning, a nine-foot shark named Pearl was detected by a receiver off Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet. A few hours later, "Zero" the shark was detected off Lecount Hollow Beach. Orleans: Peal the shark was also detected early Friday morning near Nauset Beach in Orleans. Falmouth: An unconfirmed shark sighting was reported in Falmouth Friday at Surf Drive Beach. The report says lifeguards cleared people from the water due to a sighting of an approximately six-foot shark. Nantucket: There was an unconfirmed shark sighting north of Nantucket's Great Point Beach on Saturday, according to the app. Monomoy: There were five shark sightings off Monomoy Island on Friday and Saturday. Monomoy is a popular gathering spot for seals, which sharks are known to feast on. Last week, there were two documented sightings of great white sharks off the coast of Maine, prompting a warning for swimmers and beachgoers. Earlier this month, Crane Beach in Ipswich on the North Shore said it would be stepping up shark monitoring this summer to keep swimmers safe after a series of shark sightings last fall.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Tired of closed beaches? Here are 3 'secret beaches' that aren't closed this weekend in MA
Even beach season can have it's drawbacks: closed beachesdue to unsafe swimming waters, crowded parking lots, beach traffic. Wouldn't it be nice to go to a beach that wasn't closed or crowded, perhaps even a secret beach? Luckily, the website Frugal Flyer is willing to give up some of best "secret beaches." Based off a survey of over 3,000 voters, Frugal Flyer released a list of the 95 best secret beaches in the United States. And three of them are in Massachusetts. "This summer, something different is happening. Instead of heading to the usual hotspots, Americans are rediscovering the quiet charm of their local, quieter, lesser-known shores," the website said. Here are the three Commonwealth secret beaches that were dubbed some of the best in the country. Madaket Beach Madaket Beach may be one of the more eroded beaches on Nantucket; however, that doesn't mean it's without its merits. The Insider's Guide to Nantucket said the soft sand makes it perfect for a seaside picnic. The guide also said that beach has beautiful sunsets. For these reasons, it makes sense it landed at No. 21 on the best secret beaches list. "While there are no accessible features here this is a great place to go and watch the sun set either in your car or just outside your car," the Nantucket government website said. Bound Brook Island Beach Among Cape Cod's natural gems, Bound Brook Island Beach is easily one of the best-kept secrets of the area. Set down a dirt road, it's worth the adventure for breathtaking views of the bay, sweeping sand dunes and serene quiet. Ranking 78th on the Frugal Flyer list, the Wellfleet beach is secluded for sure, save for some private properties in the area. That type of solitude can be a very lovely thing when you just want to be alone with the people you love, making memories together. If you're trying to find it, the beach located in the northwest corner of Wellfleet, bordering Truro. The easiest place to park, according to the Cape Cod Times, is a little dirt lot at the base of the island, though there are other parking spots in the interior. As with a true secret place, it's possible you'll get lost on your first try. Plum Island Beach Plum Island Beach in Newburyport ranked 95th on the list of the top secret beaches. "Discover amazing bird watching and the natural beauty of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge," the coastal lifestyle website said. "Enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking or just chill out on the beach and make sure to visit the cool Plum Island restaurants." Cemile Kavountzis contributed to the reporting of this story. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@ This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 3 'secret beaches' in Massachusetts when you want to escape crowds Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
These 3 Cape Cod mini golf courses made TripAdvisor's list of best in New England
Miniature golf really is fun for all ages. Whether you're a kid at a birthday party, a young adult with your friends after work, or a family on a Cape Cod vacation, you can enjoy mini golf however old you are. However, it can be hard to decide which mini golf course to go to in Massachusetts, and you definitely don't want to pick a dud. Mini golf on Cape Cod: Top 5 places according to readers Tripadvisor recently released a list of the 15 best mini golf courses in New England to visit, sorted by traveler favorites (calculated with data like reviews, ratings, number of page views and user location), and found five Bay State mini golf courses they say are the best to visit. Three of those are on Cape Cod. Here are the top five mini golf courses Tripadvisor recommended in the Commonwealth. PuttShack, Boston PuttShack was ranked No. 12 on the list of best New England mini golf courses to visit on Tripadvisor, when sorted by traveler favorites. "Get your game face ready!" The Tripadvisor webpage said. "We're bringing good vibes only as you play our fun, tech-infused mini golf perfect for everyone from pairs to parties in unique event spaces." The PuttShack website said that for nine holes or a whole game of mini golf, the cost for adults is $18 per player for each course they play. Young adults and teenagers, ages 13 to 20, must also pay $18 per player and per course. Kids ages 12 and under must be with an adult and cost $10 to play per putter for each course. The PuttShack also offers a Sunday-only "All You Can Putt" special, the cost is $30 per person for adults and teenagers and $17 per child (ages 12 and under), according to the website. You can find PuttShack Boston at 58 Pier 4 Blvd. in Boston. Harbor Lights Mini Golf & Ice Cream, Brewster Harbor Lights Mini Golf & Ice Cream ranked No. 9 on the list of the best New England mini golf courses to visit on Tripadvisor, when sorted by traveler favorites. "A fun and relaxing mini golf course in the heart of Brewster," the Tripadvisor webpage said. "Offering ice cream, beer, and wine — perfect for families, couples, and vacationers looking for things to do nearby!" The Harbor Lights Mini Golf & Ice Cream website said the course is comprised of 18 holes and costs $10 for adults to play, $9 for children 12 and below to play and $5 to replay a course. You can find Harbor Lights Mini Golf & Ice Cream at 81 Underpass Road. Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World, Yarmouth Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World was ranked No. 8 on the list of best New England mini golf courses to visit on Tripadvisor, when sorted by traveler favorites. "Skull Island Adventure Golf & Sports World is Cape Cod's premiere sports complex featuring fun and excitement for the whole family!" The Tripadvisor webpage said. The cost to play mini golf at Skull Island Adventure Golf on Cape Cod is $15 per person, with children ages 3 and under getting in for free. They also offer a senior and military discount of $2 off the regular rate. "Skull Island is the perfect destination for your next family vacation or day trip. Activities include; mini golf, driving range, go-karts, and a large arcade," the webpage said. You can visit Cape Cod's Skull Island mini golf course at 934 MA-28 in South Yarmouth. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, Yarmouth Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf was ranked No. 4 on the list of best New England mini golf courses to visit. "All ages can 'meet the challenge' on our two 18-hole championship courses. Test your luck, mates, on the imaginative Captain's Course or the bold Blackbeard's Course," the Pirate's Cove website said. "Discover the fun!" The Pirate's Cove website said the cost to play both the Captain's Course and Blackbeard's Course is the same at $13.50 for adults and $12.50 for children (ages 4 to 12), and children 3 and under get in for free. You can find Pirate's Cove at 728 Main Street in South Yarmouth. Trombetta's Farm, Marlborough Trombetta's Farm was ranked No. 2 on the list of best New England mini golf courses to visit. "In 1985 we built our indoor 18-hole miniature golf course. It is a 450-foot-long course and is open year-round," the Trombetta's Farm website said. "It's challenging enough to entertain all ages and surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers you won't find elsewhere!" The website said that children and seniors get in for $8 each and adults can putt for $9 each. "Spacious and heated for winter comfort, you can listen to relaxing background music while playing," the Trombetta's Farm website said. "The facility is available for any event: including birthday parties, corporate events, tournaments, fund raisers, and many more." You can find Trombetta's Farm at 655 Farm Road #2763 in Marlborough. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@ This article originally appeared on Cape Cod mini golf courses made TripAdvisor list of best in MA Solve the daily Crossword
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘From Ted to Tom' Review: Mail From Edward Gorey
One afternoon in 1974, Tom Fitzharris was walking along a Manhattan street when he spotted the artist Edward Gorey—'instantly recognizable,' he recalled later, 'in his fur coat, long beard, and sneakers.' Gorey had attracted admiration for his arresting, comically sinister artwork, published in books such as 'The Doubtful Guest' (1957), and more readers had encountered his macabre illustrations via the 1972 collection 'Amphigorey.' Recently Gorey had puckishly responded to a note from Mr. Fitzharris and provided a book inscription. Now the younger man introduced himself. Their talk turned to the literary obscurities they both loved, and soon Gorey—known as Ted to his friends—invited Mr. Fitzharris to stop by his apartment and borrow a book. In 'From Ted to Tom: The Illustrated Envelopes of Edward Gorey,' Mr. Fitzharris recounts this meeting and the unusual friendship that it set in motion. The story is a preamble to his extraordinary collection of the letters Gorey sent, mostly from his summer home on Cape Cod. When the first letter arrived, its envelope was decorated with a typically whimsical Gorey cartoon of a puzzled-looking dog on the windowsill of a house. On the reverse, a near-twin canine perches the peak of a rooftop. Both dogs sport a large initial 'T'—one, presumably, for Ted, and the other for Tom. More letters and charmingly decorated envelopes, lovingly reproduced here, followed. The next two dozen posed the cooperative dogs in various attitudes: holding banners displaying the recipient's name, batting tennis balls or balancing on twin swings. Further missives displayed more familiar Gorey types, scowling men and pained beauties dressed in 19th-century splendor. Mr. Fitzharris writes that Gorey was 'the best-read person I ever met.' Most of the letters came with a quotation—the epigrams were from writers ranging from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus to the English novelist Ivy Compton-Burnett, each one rendered neatly in Gorey's carefully hand-lettered style. The letters themselves were brief typewritten accounts, often melancholic in tone, about Gorey's life in Cape Cod: 'It is very wet and grey, like the inside of my head.' Wherever they came from, these envelopes suggest that it was the perfect climate for growing the strange, beautiful flowers of Gorey's imaginary world.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare image of great white shark captured off the coast of Maine
The nonprofit National Geographic Society, committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, funded Explorer Brian Skerry's work through a collaboration with Builders Vision. Learn more about the Society's support of Explorers. As soon as National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry locked eyes with the enormous animal, he knew immediately what was staring back at him. 'There's no mistaking that face,' he says. A nearly 10-foot long great white shark was just four feet away. Sharks tagged with tracking devices have been documented off the U.S. coast of Maine, but Skerry thinks this is the first underwater photo of one here. Skerry started diving in these waters around 50 years ago. Since then, he's spent more than 10,000 hours underwater , photographing marine animals from above and below the water. Once rare, great whites are now flourishing in the Gulf of Maine, which stretches from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Nova Scotia, Canada. While these growing numbers might make it easier to see or photograph a shark in nearby waters, experts say the risk of being bitten by a great white remains low. Skerry's encounter on July 8 was fleeting. 'Maybe three minutes,' he says. 'Then she was gone, and we never saw her again.' Luckily, his camera was ready. He snapped a photo of what he suspects is a juvenile, mouth slightly open and white belly glowing against the eerie green water. Her surface reflection hovered above her like a halo. 'White sharks have always been here,' says John Chisholm, a marine biologist at the New England Aquarium in Boston who says this is the first confirmed underwater photo of a great white shark he's seen in Maine. In the Gulf of Maine, great whites have been recorded in historic fisheries data and 1,000-year-old teeth have been found in archaeological digs, but trophy fishing and commercial bycatch in the 1970s and 1980s may have caused populations to decline by around 73 percent. In 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act created legal protections for seals and thereby protected one of the key prey species great whites feed on. Over two decades later, in 1997, the National Marine Fisheries service began more tightly regulating and in some cases prohibiting shark fishing, a protective regulation Massachusetts strengthened in 2005 after the state banned the possession and sale of lucrative shark fins. They are now protected throughout their Northwest Atlantic range–it's illegal to catch, keep, or possess a white shark in U.S. waters. This helped great white populations rebound. Scientists recorded over 100 individual great whites in Maine waters between 2012 and 2023. 'We started seeing both seals and white sharks in more and more numbers than we had ever seen in recent memory on the Cape,' says Camrin Braun, assistant scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's marine predators group. Braun is also unaware of any previous such image of a great white in Maine. A fatal shark bite in 2020, the first in the state's history, made the public aware that there were even white sharks off the coast, he adds. Could warming sea surface temperatures be luring more sharks to Maine's coastline? The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 97 percent of the world's oceans. 'It's one of the global epicenters for warming,' says Braun. Warmer waters might allow juveniles to travel further north into waters that were once too cold for great whites, though Chisholm thinks an increase in shark numbers is more likely to result from conservation regulations. More sightings might also be the result of more people on the water with a digital phone camera. Twenty years ago, it could take Chisholm days, weeks, or even years to confirm a sighting. Now he receives dozens a day through the Sharktivity app. And while a new photo of a great white has now surfaced, it's no indication that New England beachgoers should now be more fearful of setting foot in the ocean. There's a higher risk of being hurt while driving to the beach than getting bitten by a great white shark in the water, Chisholm says. We can coexist with sharks if we are mindful 'in the way that somebody in Alaska walks in the woods knowing there might be a grizzly bear,' Skerry says. 'We can learn to appreciate these animals, even if we don't want to swim out and give them a hug.' To be shark smart, don't swim alone, in murky water, or if you see seals or big schools of bait. Avoid swimming at dawn and dusk and don't 'make a commotion… That can attract a shark,' Chisholm says. As apex predators, sharks play a vital role in keeping the ocean healthy, but they face more danger from us than we do from them. Humans kill over 100 million sharks each year, says Skerry: 'The only truly scary ocean would be one without sharks in it.'
