The afternoon was cool and occasionally drizzly but definitely good for bouncing (me!) and walking (Denise).
Walking part of Ocean Path allowed us to enjoy the rocky coastline and the ocean. That was a good start to the afternoon. Next up was a walk around part of Jordan Pond and then a stop at Eagle Lake. I love that there are so many different things to see here.--- Rover
Even though it was a bit drizzly it still felt like a good day to walk into the park. Denise likes to do a loop from Bar Harbor to The Tarn via Jesup Path, then back again. That's what we did!
Denise was glad she had her rain jacket, and Blue & I were happy to hide in her camera bag when there was water in the air. It really didn't get too wet.--- Rover
We started the afternoon by walking the Witch Hole Pond Loop, starting at the Duck Brook Bridge. Sometimes it's nice to walk a flat loop instead of walking over tilted rocks.
When we finished we walked the short Schooner Head Overlook trail (after stopping at an unnamed viewpoint to enjoy trees wearing bright colors). It was a very good day!--- Rover
We started the day by driving to a favorite place in the park, the Schoodic Peninsula. It takes about an hour to get there but I think it's well worth the drive, it's such a beautiful place!
We enjoyed our time bouncing over the rocks (I bounced, Denise walked).--- Rover
We had time for a walk when we arrived in the park before the sun dropped behind the hills.
We checked the sunset time first because we didn't want to be walking in darkness. Wow! Between going back to standard time and being really far east in the timezone made sunset come early. It was at 4:22 PM today, early! We drove a short section of Park Loop Road, then stopped at Sand Beach to walk. We walked across the beach and looked away from the ocean; It's really pretty behind the beach. Then we did an out-and-back walk on Ocean Path. It felt good to be moving after long drive.--- Rover
I guess I'd better introduce myself in case you don't remember me. My name is Rover. I'm a little red dog and I travel with Denise along with my friend Blue. I like writing so I usually give Denise a break from writing - if you see a blog post with slanty type that's me. Here's a picture of Blue & me from our trip to Acadia last year.
--- Rover
>A field lined with trees wearing rust-colored leaves (between Bangor & EllsworthLate afternoon light highlights trees on Field Pond in Harold Parker State Forest.
Some trees are bare, some are holding onto leaves in rusty colors.
While flower season has passed for this year, a few bright blooms continue to share their color.
This pink zinnia lives in a community garden in Portsmouth, NH.
While some trees have already dropped their leaves, autumn color continues to create bright spots.
A walk at Harold Parker State Forest this afternoon allowed me to enjoy color in trees and reflections.
Yesterday I visted the Flying Horse Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School in South Hamilton, MA.
The first sculpture that caught my eye was my favorite of the entire show. It is a life-sized lion created in steel and stainless steel by Xavier Murcoch. The lion's name is Judah.
Coastal grass in Odiorne Point State Park wears a shade of deep yellow-orange as the air cools and the season edges further into autumn.
Yesterday was a good day for a walk along the New Hampshire coast. The sky was blue, decorated with wisps of white clouds The ocean reflected the sky's color.
This photo was taken looking to the south from the rocky coastline just north of Wallis Sands State Park.
While most of the trees are still wearing green pops of bright color are starting to emerge.
A recent stretch of cool days and cooler nights probably triggered the change. I wonder if our recent rainy days helped too.
The wind had started but the rain held off until late in the day yesterday. It was a good time for a return visit to the sculptures in Maudslay State Park.
I found two sculptures that weren't there on my earlier visit; as it turned out they were my favorites of the show. The first is "Rising Up", created by Nancy Sander. A life-sized puppet of a woman hangs high in a tree, a sign below her saying:"Her body shivered with fear as she began to rise up from the ground. She felt her mind teetering on the Edge of Madness! Then, suddenly, she relaxed as she realized she was merely magical."Magical is a good description!
"As always, been thinking of this planet of ours in these troubled times. Ravens are magical creatures, sometimes seen as harbingers of death and destruction, warning of what will happen if we don’t take action."
This year's Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay opened on Sunday. When I realized the sculptors would be setting up their work the day before I decided to head to Maudslay for a preview on Saturday.
While most of the sculptures were in place there were a few with only signs. I will return!
A late afternoon walk in Harold Parker State Forest last Friday allowed me to enjoy reflections in Field Pond.
Trees, blue sky, and white clouds painted a wonderful picture.
Found in a garden, a Strawberry Blonde sunflower...
It's amazing how many different varieties of sunflowers exist. I find I like them all!
Sunflowers bloom during the summer but somehow they say autumn to me.
This beauty is in a community garden in Portsmouth, NH.
A solo dahlia in shades of orange caught my eye today as I wandered through the gardens of Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.
I headed into Boston Monday afternoon to visit The Great Elephant Migration. I considered visiting on Saturday but quickly realized that I didn't really want to drive and that the commuter rail doesn't run as frequently as I'd like on the weekends. Monday was a good choice for me. It was a train, walk, visit the elephants, walk, train day.
The 100 life-sized elephants are made of an invasive plant called Lantana camara by artisans in Southern India. Each is inspired by a live elephant. There were many other people there with me, all fascinated by and enjoying the sight of elephants on Commonwealth Avenue.
I took advantage of the last day the Hellcat Cross Dike is open this year, returning to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to walk it again.
view from the observation tower at Hellcat
I felt a need to wander through a (different) garden so I headed to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. It's almost 3 hours from home; I opted to drive 2/3 of the way there on Monday, heading to the garden just after opening time Tuesday monring.
My senses were happy as I walked among late summer flowers and Thomas Dambo trolls. Photos can be seen in the gallery Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens :: 2026.
I saw a new-to-me coneflower today during a visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, a Green Twister.
It's always fun to discover new varieties of flowers.
The Hellcat Cross Dike in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is open for walking one week a year - and that week started today.
I walked the dike this morning, enjoying the scenery under cloudy skies.
This bright yellow wildflower is "Common Sneezeweed".
I saw it yesterday in the gardens of Long Hill in Beverly, MA. It has heavy pollen and relies on insects for pollination, no sneezing!
When I checked the status of the beach closure at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge I was delighted to see this message:
While low tide was pretty early this morning it wasn't too early for me to enjoy a walk on the beach. It's good that the beach is closed for the piping plover nesting season each year but I'm always happy when the birds allow humans to return.Parker River NWR is pleased to announce that the refuge beaches at parking lots 2 & 3 have now reopened. Access to the refuge beaches is currently from parking lot 1 to the south border of parking lot 3. Help keep the remaining nesting threatened and endangered birds safe and thriving.
Walking by the ocean brings me a sense of calm.
This morning I headed to the New Hampshire coast. I stopped to walk, capturing beauty with a photo whenever something caught my eye. ...wild roses, rose hips, and green leaves, a rocky coastline, blue ocean and sky...
Wandering among roses and dahlias was a perfect way to spend time in Fuller Gardens during my visit last Saturday morning. While the garden is primarily filled with roses my gallery shows more dahlias than roses. That clearly shows my bias.
Photos can be seen in the gallery Fuller Gardens :: 2026.
I visited Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH today.
My timing was good; both roses and dahlias are in bloom and showing wonderful color.
This year's garden in Prescott Park (in Portsmouth, NH) includes a bed of gladiolus.
I'm fascinated by the colors and shape of these beautiful flowers.
Saturday morning gave me the opportunity for a wonderful coastal wander. I headed to Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, MA for a walk around Babson Farm Quarry and some careful stepping on the granite at the ocean's edge.
The park is just under 25 miles from home as the crow flies; it's 14 miles further when forced to use the roads. Accessing the beauty of Halibut Point is worth the drive.
The lavender flowers of a Hosta plant stand before red background blooms.
I like the contrast of the colors.
My walk in Odiorne Point State Park yesterday was timed perfectly. The sky was blue decorated with white clouds for much of the time; just before I reached the end the sky changed and I started to hear thunder. I was very lucky; heavy rain started right after I jumped into my car for the drive home.
Interesting... only 23 minutes separated these two photos!
Lilies have been jumping into my photos lately.
This one, wearing a bit of yellow and ivory, lives in the gardens of Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH. I believe it is a Conca d'Or lily, a hybrid that combines Chinese Trumpet and Oriental lilies.
Everything is shrouded in haze from wildfires in Ontario Canada. The sky today wore shades of yellow or brown instead of a more normal blue or gray.
This photo is from an afternoon walk in Harold Parker State Forest. It looks wrong to me.
Saturday morning I decided to visit the butterflies at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield, MA. I arrived as the doors opened for the day so I had some almost solo time with the butterflies before many more people decided to visit.
I always enjoy visiting the beautiful butterflies.
Tiny blue flowers caught my eye as I walked through a garden early this morning.
The flowers wear the name borage (or starflower). A quick search says it is an "edible herb known for its distinct cucumber-like flavor in both its blue flowers and prickly leaves".
It's the season of black-eyed susans, also known as rudbeckia hirta.
Their sunny yellow petals (sometimes tinged with a bit of reddish brown) create a bright splash of color.
