in eastern, coastal Washington County and named for the French port, was briefly settled in 1604 when a French expedition arrived on St. Croix Island. Today it features late 19th century historic brick structures, modern state and federal buildings, and a visitor center. Home to Washington County Community College. See video and photos.
[cam-poo-BEL-loo] is an island in Canada, joined by a causeway to Lubec in Washington County. Acquired by FDR’s father James Roosevelt in 1883, the house was ready for the family in 1885. It became the summer retreat of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, even before he became President of the United States. Franklin spent most…
These birds are colorful members of the finch family. The male is well known for its bright red coat, and the female has tinges of red on her fine brownish feathers. At 8-9 inches, they sport a distinctive tuft atop their heads. Both males and females wear a black “mask” around their eyes. Cardinals are…
Home to Sugarloaf Mountain and its ski area, it has many related seasonal homes. The population has exploded in the latest census decade. A “ski academy” and a small airport are two enterprises based on the skiing economy. The Appalachian Trail passes north-south through the community along the western side of North and South Crocker Mountains. See video and photos.
The Bay contains about 200 islands (depending on what one counts as an “island” but only about 138 “good sized” islands). The Bay is bounded by Cape Elizabeth in the south and Cape Small in the north. Halfway Rock is about half way between the two capes which are about twenty miles apart, and about…
Climate Trends In 2017 the University of Southern Maine, through USM Digital Commons, published “Casco Bay Climate Change Vulnerability Report.” It has been accessible at http://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=cbep-publications (accessed February 20, 2018). The following is a selection of its findings and conclusions. Temperature The Casco Bay region has experienced warmer summers; warmer winters; warmer waters; increased drought;…
The Cathance River Preserve is one of several preserves in Sagadahoc County. Managed by the nonprofit Cathance River Education Alliance, it features summer camps, educational programs, and research. Its Ecology Center is a learning facility that is itself a model of ecological sensitivity. Located in Topsham, the preserve offers several trails available from dawn to…
is the name for Township T2 R6 WBKP, which contains the Chain Lakes, a waterway that provided Benedict Arnold’s expedition with the final passage to Canada on October 25th and 26th in 1775. The North Branch of the Dead River flows south from the lakes and provided the expedition with a path to them. Above…
The Chain of Ponds Lake consists of four basins arranged in a straight line that runs northwest to southeast. It covers 700 acres and drains 64.5 square miles. The maximum depth is 106 feet, and the average depth is 24 feet. A 300 foot long, ten foot tall, dam at the outlet of Lower Pond…
Two miles north of West Forks on U.S. 201, Capital Road begins its northeastern entry to Chase Stream Township, opening to a group of a dozen small ponds: Ellis (101-acres, 18-ft depth) (Flatiron 4-acres, 4ft depth) (Long-16 acres, 14-ft depth), (Round-36 acres, 11ft depth) (Dead 65 acres, 10-ft depth) among others. Most of these small ponds…
[shuh-BEEG-iland] is a town in Cumberland County, incorporated on July 1, 2007 after separating from the mainland town of Cumberland. In doing so, it joined its neighbor Long Island as another new town in Casco Bay. The 2000 census recorded the population at 356; in 2010 it was 341. The town consists of…
The Black-capped Chickadee is the State of Maine’s official bird. Actually, the law only refers to the “chickadee,” but there are other species. This 5 inch bird inhabits the northern half of the United States and southern Canada. In addition to the familiar chicka-dee-dee call, its song, sounding like hey-sweetie or fee-bee-bee, is less associated with…
Parker Cleaveland House, National Historic Landmark [75 Federal Street in Brunswick] Parker Cleaveland, nationally known for his contributions to the study of mineralogy, lived here from 1806 to 1858. A professor at Bowdoin College, he conducted some of the earliest studies of mineralogy in the United States. In 1816 his Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy and Geology was the…
Local Climate Changes Earth’s atmosphere is experiencing unprecedented changes that are modifying global climate. Discussions continue around the world, the nation, and in Maine on how to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), other greenhouse gases, and other pollutants to the atmosphere, land, and oceans. These efforts are vitally important and urgent.…
Historical Changes in Lake Ice-Out Dates as Indicators of Climate Change in New England, 1850-2000U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS 2005-3002 January 2005. Changes in water resources over time may affect public and private water supplies and the health of aquatic ecosystems. The U.S. Geological Survey is studying the relation…
Since the 1870’s, the date for “ice out” on Moosehead Lake has been occurring earlier in the year on average. Similar trends have been documented on other Maine lakes, including Richardson Lake. The warming climate has advanced the typical date from over the 136th day of the year (about May 16th) to the 125th day…
Clippers were built in Maine in the 1850’s, with 54 having been constructed from 1851 to 1854. Depending on how you define “Clipper,” William Hutchinson Rowe counts ninety from 1850 to 1856. Since some very fast ships were known as “clippers,” regardless of some technical features, Rowe declares, “And so casting close definition and technical…
The Coastal Studies Center of Bowdoin College is located on Orrs Island in Harpswell. In 1981 Irma and William Thalheimer gave the 118 acre property, including the farmhouse and barn, to Bowdoin “to be protected in its natural environment and used as a research and teaching resource for faculty and students.”1 It offers low stress…
Here are the coldest to the warmest areas of the state, based on 49 reporting stations. Data, collected by month for thirty years, are calculated by recording the difference between the mean temperature for a month, and 65 degrees as the base temperature. (See detailed definition below.) HDD = heating degree days; CDD = cooling…
Coltsfoot Wildflower Description These small yellow flowers lie face-up looking much like tiny suns, with a yellow button-like center and petals that jut out like small spikes of light. The stem, an unusual scaly structure, is only eight inches high. Coltsfoot blooms from March to May. These were seen on May 5th. Habitat Moist areas…