October of 2026 was a month of exceptional sights and conditions. We had a spectacular perfomance by our fall leaves, dramatic sunsets and moonrises and Halloween brought us goblins —among other interesting sights. Yet, we continue to suffer from long-term severe drought that has dried some wells and increased the chances of wildfires.
COLORAMA
This October probabbly will be remembered here for giving us one of the most colorful seasonal transitions that we’ve had on the coast for a long time.
IN THE BLUEBERRY BARRENS
When the red and orange pigments in blueberry leaves are chilled in October, magic happens.
UNDER THE TREES
Not to be outdone. the reds and golds of this year’s deciduous tree leaves were magnificent.
Early Light on Spruce and Maples
Red Maple Making a Statement Before Getting Bare
Paper Birches Losing Their Gold Reserves
Katsura Tree Leaves Become Flourescent in Fog
Tamaracks (Larches) Soon Will Lose Their Needles
A Bird Bath with a View
While Wild Apple Tree Leaves Were Not Spectacular, Their Fruit Was
LANDMARKS
North Sedgwick Baptist Church
The Near-Mountain Called Blue Hill
Mount Desert Island, as Seen from Amen Ridge, Brooklin
Conary Cove, Blue Hill
Friend Memorial Library in Brooklin Being Expanded Again
The Old Flye Point Barn (Now a B&B), Brooklin
A FEW MORE FALL FLORA
We have to pay a bief homage to the best berries and hips of October, as well as to our favorite porch flowers:
Winterberry
Multiflora Rose and Chokeberry
Asian Bittersweet (Nasty, but Dazzling)
Store-Bought Chrysanthemums
WOODS, STREAMS AND PONDS
The woods were a bit dry, the stream flows were weaker, and the ponds lower. But, their inherent beauty remained.
Mixed Soft/Hard Woods
Spruce Stand (and Deer Yard in Bad Weather)
The Mouth of Blue Hill’s Mill Stream at Low and High Tide
The Mouth of Surry’s Patton Stream at Low Tide
WoodenBoat Lily Pond and a Private Fire Pond
FEATURED FAUNA
White-Tailed Deer Showing Off Her New Winter Fur Coat
Diving Ducks from Canada: Buffleheads and Red-Breasted Mergansers
This Great Blue Heron and His Shadow Likely Will Migrate South in November
Impresswive Beaks: Great Blue Heron and Ring-Billed Gull
Impressive Legs: Lesser Yellow Legs Sandpiper
Impressive Beaks, II: Double-Crested Cormorants
Painted Turtle Headed for a Winter’s Nap at the Bottom His Favorite Pond. (Probably the Last PT sighting of the year.)
ON THE WATERFRONT
AT THE BROOKLIN BOAT YARD
The BBY Pier and Docking Floats in Center Harbor. (The Floats Soon Will Come Out for Winter.)
Work in Progress
Work in Progress, II
Winter Storage in Progress
AT BROOKLIN’S ATLANTIC BOAT YARD
Winter Storage in Progress
AT BROOKLIN’S WOODENBOAT SCHOOL
Removing Mooring Buoys in Great Cove for Winter Storage
Boat Shed Winter Storage in Progress
Boat Shed Winter Storage Completed
AT NASKEAG HARBOR
The fishing vessels in Brooklin’s working harbor were busy harvesting lobsters in October. Some fihermen started to pull traps up for the winter. Others are preparing to transition to Atlantic scallop dragging (dredging) and diving during the winter.
MONTHLY EVENTS
FALL MOWING
Many fallow fields are mowed in the fall to prevent shrub and forest regrowth and allow wildflower meadows to prosper in spring and summer.
HALLOWEEN
We had our share of wierdness and pumpkin mania.
IN THE SKY
Sunset Over Eggemoggn Reach
Sunset Afterglow Over Great Cove
A waxing morning moon earlier in the month, the full October Hunter’s Moon and the waning moon:
October’ Hunter’s Full Moon Rising Over Great Cove
WE’RE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME — WISH YOU WERE HERE!
(All images in this post were taken in Down East Maine during Octpber 2026.)