Liberty and Independence
Hannah and I have spent the rare week away from Downeast Maine visiting my folks in Pennsylvania. I've tried to add a few "educational" excursions to our trip that wouldn't totally bore a 14-year-old. Today's outing was to Independence Hall and the...
A Robin on a Spring Day
A Robin on a Spring Day. Doesn't look much like spring, does it? It's April 16 and mother nature is delivering a sleety, snowy, nasty weather mix that has me dragging my feet heading out the door. And, today of all days, there is a ubiquitous sign...
On the Water
Yesterday, the pond all but melted, found the ducks hanging out on the bank. They’d yet to dip a foot into the pond, still splashing in their mortar box. All that water just waiting for them and they wouldn’t go near it. I talked Paul into helping...
Spring on Deer Isle
This morning, we made a spur of the moment decision to trek to Deer Isle and watch Hannah's first high school softball game. The guilt over abandoning the work on my desk lasted only until I was parked in my new camp chair soaking up the spring...
50 and Sunny
Today was a gift. The sun shining, temperatures soared to 50 degrees. I brushed off the long unused porch chairs and parked myself for a few minutes to admire the view. The pond is still frozen over, but the ice is dwindling. In the front, the only...
The Familiar Eastern Phoebe
While hauling in maple sap, I heard the distinctive song of the Phoebes. They're back for the season! I had such fun watching them last year and their nests are still tucked up near the rafters of the lean-to. Right click here and select "Save...
Happy April
You thought it was spring, didn't you? April Fools! Mother Nature delivered 8-10 inches of snow/sleet last night. It's crazy! Happy April!
Return of The Canada Goose
This pretty Canada goose lounging along the banks of the Narraguagus was a reaffirmation that spring is here. Despite the blizzard Mother Nature threw our way this week and the ice and sleet predicted for tomorrow, winter is loosing her hold on us.
Spring, Where Art Thou?
I'm not sure these pictures need captions. One week into spring the world outside is raging - snowy, windy, blizzardy. Where art thou, spring?
Raid on the Banty Coop
It was a sad weekend here. We lost two roosters over two nights to what we believe is a single predator. What makes it even harder is that we knew that one of the coop doors needed repair and our delay in fixing it properly cost us. In the banty...
Nutkin Knoll on Maine Maple Sunday
We spent the morning exploring Nutkin Knoll Farm. Open to the public for Maine Maple Sunday, we wandered the trails through their sugar bush and took a look at their sugaring operation. Needless to say, it's a little more advanced than is ours....
A Brand New World
Times are changing faster than I can keep up with at my house. This is the text dialog between Hannah and me earlier this week. Her first boyfriend. At fourteen, most of the kids in her freshman class have already hit this milestone. I wish there...
The Peculiar Pelican
What's peculiar about this pelican? No self-respecting pelican would be caught on this freezing windswept beach in Downeast Maine! Right click here and select "Save Target As" (on a PC) to download this PDF pelican pattern to your computer.
A Good Spring Puddle
I had visions of the first day of spring - time sitting on the porch letting the sun's warmth nourish me. Truth be told, I think only the ducks were happy about the reality of the this first day of spring. They found joy in the puddles.
Spring in the Mailbox
The ground may be frozen and snowy, but spring arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Given my gardening history, I may have been just a little optimistic when ordering seeds - 32 varieties!?A typical spring involves me starting seeds, killing the...
A Simple Snow Bunting
In Maine, the snow bunting is a winter visitor who will soon be returning to its favored arctic region - a sure sign that spring is on its way! Right click here and select "Save target as" (on a PC) to save this PDF snow bunting pattern to your...
In Search of Bald Eagles
Recently, a friend shared beautiful pictures of bald eagles that she took along the Narraguagus River. I confess, I was a little envious. I'd driven past this stretch of the river many times without a single sighting. So the last couple of weeks I...
Rushing Spring
Yesterday, the temps were warm and the sap was running. I caught a little spring fever, threw open a window for some fresh air and proceeded to tackle washing the windows inside and out. I ventured out in gym shorts and Muck boots to check the sap...
Our First Day of Sap Flow
This is our third season experimenting with producing our own Maple syrup. The weather has been so cold that we haven't thought too much about the sap season. When the weather man predicted temps in the 40s, we knew it was time to get things...
The Melodious Meadowlark
This meadowlark was a recent request. I confess, I've never seen one before - probably because I don't have a meadow tucked up here in the woods the way were are. But, he's a pretty little songbird worth the effort. Right click here and select...
Beauty In Flight
Chickadees in flight. A beautiful sight from the kitchen window.
He’s Mocking Me
My enthusiasm over the victory over the squirrel has diminished. He's back, and I do believe he's mocking me. Adding cayenne to my bird seed this weekend kept the squirrel out of my feeder for much of Saturday. Yet, here he is the next day, giving...
Victory Over The Squirrel
This has become a common sight at one of my feeders. I haven't been too bothered by the squirrel snacking. In fact, they've been quite entertaining at times. However, the past day or two, the little red squirrels have started eating me out of house...
Sunset Reflecting on Frozen Barrens
The setting sun left a beautiful reflection on the icy blueberry barrens. Worthy of an impromptu iPhone photo stop.
Snow Capped Cadillac Mountain
An impulse, drive-by, iPhone shot of Cadillac Mountain had Paul and Hannah sitting in the car rolling their eyes. Again.
