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.

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.

Along the Madagascal stream in the Maine woods near Grand Falls township, we caught this muskrat about to enter his den.

Along the Madagascal stream in the Maine woods on a summer day.

A turtle was resting on a rock in the middle of the Madagascal stream last weekend when we paddled by. While we see a fair number of them on any typical journey, they rarely stay on their rocks long enough for a reasonably close shot.

On our recent canoe trip up and down the Madagascal stream in central Maine. This was our Sunday morning visit to the church of Mother Nature.

A few days after the 300th anniversary of Henry David Thoreau’s birth, we found ourselves in a canoe on mid-central Maine’s Madagascal stream. We were not far from the routes Thoreau took on his Maine wilderness trips. We were miles from electric power lines, roads, and civilized accommodations.

As we rounded a bend, we met a native of the area. I’d like to think his name is Henry.