Sunday, December 21, 2008

CBC 2008






Been a while since my last post, and yesterday being our Christmas Bird Count here in town, I thought it would be a good time to post some photos. No, no birds, just where I was. And birding by skis is a lot more enjoyable than driving around in a car.
Cold, zero when I left and warmed to 10*f. saw what I expected and one I hoped for, a black backed Woodpecker. All in all a good day.


Friday, October 17, 2008

Farmington





On a beautiful,warm fall day down in Farmington, the leaves were still out, meanwhile in Rangeley, most of the leaves are down.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mooselookmeguntic Lake



That's right, you heard it, Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Used to be known as Mollychunkamunk Lake.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Camera Trap- Deer






A couple weeks ago, I set out a camera trap (aka known as a trail camera). Basically it's a weatherproof digital camera that is tripped when something moves in front of the infrared sensor. You strap them to a tree,set it and forget. I went out today to check on it and found over 251 photos,all but a few where just moving plants. It was strapped low on an apple tree.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

B&W


Southern view from Aziscohos Mt near the town of Wilsons Mills.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Autumn

It struck me this morning. It's dark! Quite a difference from back in June when I was awakened at 4 am by the brightening day. Now at 5am sunrise is still an hour and a half away, and the day ends at 6:20pm. Back in June, I could watch the sunrise over Bigelow, and now it's closer to Saddleback. Doesn't sound like much, but from the wild edge of things, it's something else. When the weather clears,I'll go out and try for some more star photos, and of course it's the moose rutting season. Time for more caution in the woods. I have been hearing them more often. I'll get out and set up a camera trap, and see what I get.

The view from there.







Last week I went up a local mountain, Aziscohos Mt. Trees are changing fast,and the colors are great this year. There used to be a Maine Forest Service firetower up there, but the state gave them up and finally cleaned out the structures. Hence the concrete posts.

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Klondike


There is an area, rarely visited, in the bowl beside Katahdin. It was called The Klondike because it reminded the early explorers to the area of the Klondike. Taken from top The Owl,looking towards Doubletop,Mt OJI, Mt Coe and the Brothers.

Great Basin


Looking up from Chimney Pond, up towards the Knife Edge on Katahdin.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Summer's ending.

You can hear it. You can see it,feel it,taste it. The crickets are chirping
day and night, the birds are for the most part,quiet.
The birds are almost in a frenzy eating,building up their fat for the 
upcoming flight south.
I've only seen small groups of warblers, 
most of them have already moved out of the mountains.
Plants are going all out flowering, setting seed, ripening their fruits. 
Insects are slowing down,preparing for for winter. 
Most will be dead around the first frost, others hang on and die 
when cold weather finally sets in.
Since Labor Day, the area has gotten quiet, it feels like it's slowed down, and everyone seems a little more relaxed. It's sad, friends that come
for the summer are gone or will be gone shortly, it just feels sad.
But the weather is great. Warm,if not hot, days. Cool nights. 
Morning fog. Days are getting shorter, noticeably so. You see it more in the north than down in the south.

Morning bike rides are absolutely heaven. Down the road along the 
river, the sun warm and golden. Cool air. 
Tonight will find me on the Pond, basking in solitude, watching the 
loons and the fish.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

New England Aster


It's late summer, and the asters are in bloom.

Kennebago River





In this part of the state, we are well watered. Big lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Here's one of them. From the same area,but downstream of the video I posted.

Richardson Lake






Wild. Pretty much describes Richardson Lake,part of the Rangeley Lakes Region here in Maine.
It's long (over 14 miles) and pushes 1 1/2 miles wide. Save for a few seasonal camps and Upper Dam, there's not much on it, except trees,moose and loons.
The lakes are full, it looks more like spring, thanks to a summer of rain. Usually by this time of year, the shorelines are exposed ,grass, rocks, some driftwood, and you can walk for miles without getting your feet wet. 

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Traveler & Katahdin




Two of the big mountains in the Park, The Traveler, Maine's highest volcanic mountain, and Katahdin in the background.

Baxter State Park

Here's a small sample from my trip. We stayed at South Branch Pond Campground, a long trip to make. It's still another 1 1/2 hours to get there once you cross the gatehouse at Togue Pond. 
A note on cameras. My primary camera was a Nikon D80 with a 24-85 mm lens. I also had a longer lens but didn't use it this time. I also had a Nikon P5100 and a Panasonic DMC-LX2. 
The photographs are much better in life than here, and that is deliberate.


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Howe Brook


Home.


Home from Baxter.
Followed the Big Dipper northward, ok I didn't, I went in the day, but it sounds nice. Rain,cold and sunshine. It has got to be one of the most beautiful parts of the state, in a state that always gives more than you expect.
More photos to follow, still unpacking and trying to make sense of the clutter.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

North bound



Next week, I'm off to Baxter State Park, so there will be more coming in the next few weeks, then again in September, when I' off to there again.
Sun and fog, a glorious combination.