Clouds settling in over the Katahdin headwall as viewed from Chimney Pond. Baxter State Park, Maine.
Bull Moose
A bull moose steps onto the shoreline of Baxter State Park’s Russell Pond, site of one of Maine’s most remote campgrounds.
Rocky Pond
Rocky Pond is just a short hike from Kidney Pond in Maine’s Baxter State Park. The lush forest in this area of the park, with acres and acres of thick moss-covered conifers and granite boulders, inspired my wife and I to name our son “Forest Baxter.”
Reflections, Round Pond
Shoreline fall color reflected in Round Pond, a favorite destination in the Kennebec Highlands.
Great Blue Herons
Davidson Nature Preserve in Vassalboro, Maine, one of the properties of the Kennebec Land Trust, features an active great blue heron rookery. Last time I visited I counted about 15 nests high in the dead trees in the fen and at least as many great blue herons.
Learn more about the Davidson Nature Preserve. (This web site includes a link to the Preserve’s brochure.)
Lily Pads and Clouds
With the clouds reflecting as they were on the surface of Pockwockamus Pond near Baxter State Park, it seemed as if these lily pads were floating away — a nice thought as I floated off to sleep in my tent.
Merganser Momma
Mom and lots of ducklings on the Debsconeag Deadwater, Maine.
Two natural sandy beaches on the Deadwater (Omaha and little Omaha) have state of Maine-run campsites. A good deal for less than $4 a night! Great kayaking around the Deadwater (with views of the whole range of mountains in Baxter State Park from Doubletop to Katahdin). You can also paddle to First Debsconeag Lake, where there are campsites at both ends and access to the trail to an Ice Cave!
Northwest Basin
Davis Pond is in the remote Northwest Basin of Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park. My hike proved to be a true “adventure,” as I planned to continue hiking from the Northwest Basin to Chimney Pond. I woke up in the lean-to only to discover that what was originally forecast as a sunny day turned out to be rainy, complete with thunder and lightning — certainly not a good day to be on the summit of any mountain. The only safe option was to retrace my 14-or-so mile trek back to my original starting point at Roaring Brook. As the Baxter staff emphasizes, the mountain will still be there for another day.
Lunch Time
This moose was just lifting its head out of the water after grabbing lunch from a shallow pond and I was just in time to capture the action from my kayak. A long lens allowed me to keep my distance.
Acadia Sky
A perfect end to a summer day at Acadia.
light on the trail 