Category: Environment

Have you walked amongst the Cairns of Hell's Half Acre?

Discovering the Mysterious Cairns of Hell’s Half Acre

7/3/2012 - It’s hard for us to believe that in the right conditions, our house in Rockport is a single, 24-mile-long, starboard tack from Hell's Half Acre. Yes it’s true. And last weekend, we repeated this wonderous sail that crosses two deep blue bays, winds between the twin green-blue Fox Islands along… SEE MORE

Seal Island, part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Tropical Visitor At Home On Seal Island

Environment

7/3/2012 - A rare bird indeed has taken up residence on Maine's outer islands. A red-billed tropicbird, usually a West Coast and Caribbean breeder, has called Seal Island and Matinicus Rock home for the past few summers. The island interns from both seabird restoration islands, part of the Maine Coastal Islands National… SEE MORE

Coastal Species Spotlight: Black Guillemots

Environment

6/28/2012 - The predominant object of our daily attention here on Petit Manan is the tern colony, and with just under 2,000 nest sites this year they do keep us busy. But, in honor of the many other avian residents who call Petit Manan their breeding home, today we are very happy… SEE MORE

With a light westerly breeze blowing, Padanaram Harbor is a tranquil place on an early summer morning.

Enjoying a Summer Morning in Padanaram

6/28/2012 - Between the America's Cup World Series in Newport, the WoodenBoat Show in Mystic, and the OpSail event in Boston, these days it seems like practically every harbor has a major boating event taking place. Which made it all that much more delightful to visit Padanaram Harbor, in South Dartmouth, recently… SEE MORE

Under Stormy Skies in Brooksville and Bucks Harbor

6/27/2012 - Brooksville is a quiet town made up of peaceful villages where cozy inlets lead to wide meadows. Towering trees guard the surrounding coastline like a small army of spruce-clad warriors. In South Brooksville, Bucks Harbor leads to the clear waters of Eggemoggin Reach. Cape Rosier juts out into Penobscot Bay,… SEE MORE

Homes

Two Common terns perched on the granite rocks of Petit Manan.

Petit Manan Avian Census Results

Environment

6/26/2012 - During the first few weeks of the seabird field season the number of avian residents on Petit Manan is relatively low. Just two field technicians anxiously awaiting the arrival of a seabird colony. And then it happens, slowly at first but with increasing momentum, the nesting residents begin to descend… SEE MORE

Report: New England States Warming Fastest

6/26/2012 - Well. I'm not surprised by this news story that says Rhode Island is the fastest warming state in the United States. Here is the quote: "A new report from Climate Central, a research and public outreach program, says global warming is causing some states to heat up faster than others.… SEE MORE

Beach on east side of island. Barron Collier had the sand barged decades ago from when he built the first road across Florida.

Enjoying Life at a Slower Pace on Useppa Island

6/25/2012 - Is it a harbor? A private island? A marina? What the heck does the name “Useppa” mean, and where is it located? For me and my husband, Useppa Island, Florida, is our home for six months of the year — and it has been for almost thirty-five years. The island… SEE MORE

Homes

A quiet floating dwelling with a Huck Finn architecture.

Pondering a More Lasting Presence on the Coast

6/20/2012 - Perry Creek is a favorite anchorage of ours. As we rounded the little island off Hopkins Point leading into the creek this year, I was more than a little surprised to see a houseboat moored far inside the slender anchorage. Perry Creek is unique in many ways. It’s a popular… SEE MORE

Homes

Great Spruce Island, with Islesboro in the distance.

Adventures Afloat: Penobscot Bay’s Northern Islands

6/20/2012 - Though settled for centuries and still enough of a community to have a mail boat, this cluster of islands doesn’t seem to have a formal name. Given that it’s just north of North Haven in north Penobscot Bay, let’s go with the reference some locals use: the Northern Islands. An… SEE MORE