We were surprised to spot this crow-sized bird along the shore of the no-name pond the other day. At the time and after checking my references, I am not sure if this is a heron or a bittern (a least bittern is a good possibility from field mark descriptions).
maine woods
Deer in the field
As we approached the hay field at the edge of the forest, we caught sight of a youthful deer eating near a fallen tree. We caught it just as it began to scamper away.
Goldfinch in the bog
Frog in the duck weed
The far bog has been completely filled with what I call duck weed. The frogs seem to like it but I have seen fewer ducks this year at this spot.
Madagascal morning
Another look at the Madagascal stream during our summer visit. The stream runs more than ten miles from the Madagascal Pond near Lincoln south to the Passadumkeag river. Two hundred years ago, farmers fields ran along both sides. The waterway itself was used to float logs from the forest lands to the north to the mills in Old Town and Bangor.
Beaver dam closeup
Heading north on the Madagascal stream toward its source, we encountered several beaver dams. This one was so substantial, we decided it was time to turn around and head back to camp. It is a good example of the work “nature’s engineers” are capable of.
Madagascal muskrat
Along the Madagascal stream in the Maine woods near Grand Falls township, we caught this muskrat about to enter his den.
