In the Right Place: All's Well That Ends Well

Despite patches of dense fog and an occasional sprinkle, the 33rd Annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta started virtually on time and considerably brightened a very gray day.

Some boats were newer, some older.

Some observers arrived in classics of their own.

Afterward, there were mooring parties and then a dinner and festivities on the WoodenBoat Campus.

For more comprehensive coverage of the race, click this link:

https://leightons.smugmug.com/US-States/Maine/Out/2017-in-Maine/Eggemoggin-Reach-Regatta/

(Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Oh-Oh

Today is race day and it dawned dimly – Great Cove and the rest of Eggemoggin Reach were ensnared in fog. Many of the participants for today’s 33rd annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta moored in Great Cove last night to facilitate getting to nearby Torrey Ledge by start time.

The first class of boats is scheduled to start from there at 11 a.m. As this is being written, the fog in the Cove has burned off and it is easing a bit in the Reach.

A Skipper’s meeting is now being held at WoodenBoat to discuss matters. The race has been called off only once, but the party was held. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Fast Beauty

The legendary Alera, a regular visitor to Great Cove, was here in July and is expected back tomorrow in the 33d annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. That highly-regarded race finishes its 15-mile course in the Cove. Last year, Alera won her class (Classic-A).

Launched in 1904, she’s also known as “NY 1” and “NY30#1” because she was the first of the New York Yacht Club’s 30-foot series designed by the renowned naval architect Nathanael Greene Herreshoff. Eighteen of her kind eventually were built. (Nat Herreshoff designed every winning defender of the America’s Cup from 1893 through 1920, among other accomplishments.)

The name Alera means Eagle in Latin.

(Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Questions Rarely Asked

How does a Bald Eagle drink with that big beak? Well, let’s put it this way: you don’t want to be next to the bird.

Image info: Nikon D-810; Nikkor 500mm, f/4 lens with 1.7 TC producing 850mm; f/6.7, 1/3200 sec; ISO 500.

What you also may wonder is what happened next? When this Eagle spotted me creeping up on her yesterday, she pivoted and flew in the opposite direction; thereupon, I took a magnificent image (at a shutter speed of 1/3200th of a second) of an Eagle Butt in flight, which would be of use only if the bird needed a colonoscopy.

Image info: Nikon D-810; Nikkor 500mm, f/4 lens with 1.7 TC producing 850mm; f/6.7, 1/3200 sec; ISO 500.

(Union River; Ellsworth, Maine)

In the Right Place: Exclamation Points

Blazing Star (Liatris) buds are starting to open in Barbara’s garden, much to the satisfaction of this Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens at 400mm; f/20 1/80 sec.; ISO 250.

Also called Gayfeather or Cattail Gayfeather, this plant grows wild, often on the borders of conifer woods, provides an alluring set of blue-purple exclamation marks in the garden. (Brooklin, Maine)

Postcards From Maine: The July Collection

July is the height of the year in this “Vacationland” state.

The month virtually began here with the annual 4th of July parade and picnic, complete with classic cars, fire engines, floats and the amazingly good Brooklin Town Band.

For the most part, the July weather gods did their job and produced eye-popping vistas in which salty cool breezes made your chest ache for a huge gulp of the real, fresh air.

But this is coastal Maine, where the weather takes orders from no one. We had our share of fog and rain, including a few tourist-groaning days in which rain coincided with a very low tide. But, for most of us, beauty never left the stage no matter what the lighting director did.

For gardeners, a good combination of sun and rain produced a bumper crop of happy flowers. (Morning fog also is a great moisturizer for the beautiful faces of young flowers.) Outrageously red Bee Balm, multicolored Yarrow, and golden Ornamental Sunflowers were especially bountiful.

For walkers, the winding country roads and trails were -- and still are -- wonderful places to see wildflowers, even invasive plants such as Fireweed and Crown Vetch.

Our birders' binoculars runneth over in July. A few of our colorful feathered tourists included Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, those three-inch zooming jewels; aptly-named Goldeneyed Ducks; Maraschino-cherry-eyed male wood Ducks in their summer molts, and Great Blue Herons sweeping over the waters like witches on brooms.

Of course, July is a big birthing month here. As regular readers of this Journal have seen, we monitored the birth, raising, and departure of twin Broad-Winged Hawks.

Among other beginnings-of-life events on which we reported, there was a diaspora of half-inch American Toads leaving the bogs by the hundreds; the arrival of a two-inch Painted Turtle youngster in our Pond, where it was accepted by our summer resident turtles; and a collective nursery of female Common Eider ducks trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to protect their ducklings from Bald Eagles.

It might be a birthing month for wildlife, but July is the beginning of a serious sailing month for many humans here. Although we have those who come into Great Cove on big historic Schooners, such as the Angelique, most sail the Cove’s winds in smaller craft.

In July, however, you don’t have to be on the sea to enjoy the coast on a lovely summer’s day. Many of us can let the toxins evaporate from our minds and bodies simply by watching graceful, bobbing boats being arranged and rearranged by their true masters, the winds and currents.

For larger versions of the above images and camera settings, as well as many additional images of special moments in July, click on the link below. (We recommend that your initial viewing be in full-screen mode, which can be achieved by clicking on the Slideshow [>] icon above the featured image in the gallery to which the link will take you.) Here’s the link for more:

https://leightons.smugmug.com/US-States/Maine/Out/2017-in-Maine/July-Postcards-From-Maine/i-Nb8jK6J

Cheers,

Barbara and Dick

In the Right Place: The Heron Ascending

The Great Blue Heron in flight evokes shadowy spirits.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens at 380mm; f/4; 1/3200 sec.; ISO 200.

It flies silently on big wings that bend and flow with cape-like flexibility; its long neck and prehistoric head are hooked and tucked in flight; its lengthy legs trail straight and stiff like a flying broom; its unblinking yellow eyes stare through us.

Yet, perhaps strangely, many of us welcome the bird as a beautiful sight. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: A Survivor

We had a nice moment yesterday -- a Monarch Butterfly gave Barbara’s Echinacea flowers a royal audience. We always wonder whether we’ve seen the last of these once-plentiful garden delights.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens at400mm; f/10; 1/100 sec.; ISO 200.

Over 90 percent of the Monarch population has vanished, apparently due to a storm of coinciding dangers that include, among others, habitat destruction, unusual weather, and an invasion of the single-celled parasite known commonly as OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha).

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens at400mm; f/10; 1/60 sec.; ISO 200.

This butterfly is considered by many to be the most beautiful of its kind, hence it was named the Monarch of butterflies. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Affordable Housing

Those who look closely might think that this Eastern Painted Turtle had opened vents in its shell to let out the summer heat. But no; it’s just growing. This six-inch turtle is shedding its outer layer of bone plates (“scutes”) as new, larger ones grow underneath.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens at 400mm; f/13; 1/160 sec.; ISO 250.

That shell protects the reptile against virtually all predators except humans. Painted Turtles in the wild (such as this one in our pond) can live up to 55 years. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: The Flow

We have here yesterday morning’s low tide in nearby Blue Hill. A soft rain is keeping the rock weed vibrant until its seawater blanket gets pulled up again. Tides here are usually between 10 and 12 feet in height.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 70-200mm, f/2.8 zoom lens at 70mm; f/13; 1/160 sec.; ISO 400.

Scientists don’t yet fully understand the seas’ gravitational resonances and the other factors affecting the twice-daily tidal phenomenon. However, Jonathan White’s fascinating book Tides helps laymen understand what scientists do know.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 70-200mm, f/2.8 zoom lens at 70mm; f/18; 1/30 sec.; ISO 400.

One thing is sure: we’ve come a long way since Leonardo da Vinci and others thought that the earth was a living entity that slowly breathed in and out through large lungs that moved the tides. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Unpaved and Unseen

Maine, the self-described “Vacationland,” has innumerable scenic “roads.” But, tourists are not aware of most of them.

Image info: Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens; f/11; 1/30 sec.; ISO 200.

Some are just rutted entrances into and through the woods. Some, such as this one in Brooklin, are private “lanes” that wind within woods and have offshoots in the form of long, often-scenic driveways for mostly-hidden houses. More rustic ones go to very basic get-away structures called “camps” here. Still others are used for off-roading experiences in ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles), motorcycles, and snow mobiles. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: To Bee or Not to Bother?

If you want to attract Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden, do you risk planting perhaps the best pollinator attractant among native plants? That would be red Bee Balm.

Image 1

This red- or purple-flowering mint plant is beautiful and its leaves are what is used to brew Oswego Tea. (That home-grown tea became the tea of choice for American colonists after they pitched the highly-taxed English tea into the harbor at the Boston Tea Party.) The problem with Bee Balm is that it needs strenuous policing -- its robust root system can grow quickly and smother other plants.

If you're willing to tame Bee Balm's urge to take over your garden, however, you can't go wrong with using that plant to attract beautiful pollinators. That's what Barbara has done with her garden's isolated patch of Bee Balm, pictured in Image 2, above.

This month, in addition to Bumble Bees, we've had Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies (Image 3) and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Images 4 and 5) there.

Image 5

Bee Balm seems to be worth the effort. (Brooklin, Maine)

Image info:

1. Nikon D-810; Nikkor 500mm, f/4 VR lens with 1.7 Nikkor T/C producing 850 mm; f/6.7; 1/3200 sec.; ISO 1000.

2. Nikon D-810; Nikkor 17-55mm, f/2.8 zoom lens; f/16; 1/80 sec.; ISO 250.

3. Nikon D-180; Nikkor 200-400mm, f/4 zoom lens;f/16; 1/100 sec.; ISO 320.

4. Nikon D-810; Nikkor 500mm, f/4 VR lens with 1.7 Nikkor T/C producing 850 mm; f/6.7; 1/3200 sec.; ISO 320.

5. Nikon D-810; Nikkor 500mm, f/4 VR lens with 1.7 Nikkor T/C producing 850 mm; f/6.7; 1/3200 sec.; ISO 1000.

In the Right Place: Mellow Yellow

A school of rare Yellow-Backed Dolphins is being carted around the WoodenBoat campus for some reason. Judging from their faces, the Dolphins are enjoying the experience.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 200 mm; f/14; 1/60 sec.; ISO 400.

The mature Yellow-Backs also have yellow undersides.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 17-55 f/2.8 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 200 mm; f/14; 1/250 sec.; ISO 250.

Of course, all Dolphins love to be near their fellow mammals, human beings.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 360 mm; f/14; 1/400 sec.; ISO 250.

(Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Royal Blood

It’s the height of summer, which means that our fields are a profusion of flowering white weeds that originated in Europe and are the subject of a debated legend.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 220 mm; f/32; 1/100 sec.; ISO 200.

There is agreement that the legend includes Queen Anne tatting lace and pricking her finger; one drop of her royal blood fell and spoiled the lace. The lace-like flower of the Wild Carrot plant sometimes has a red or purple spot in its center, and the plant began being called Queen Anne’s Lace in England.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 200 mm; f/18; 1/60 sec.; ISO 200.

However, there is disagreement as to which of two Queens said “Ouch!” – the first Stuart Queen Anne (1574-1619), who was married to King James of Scotland, or the last of the Stuart Queens, Anne (1665-1714), the daughter of William and Mary.

(Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Summer School

This Mom knows the importance of having a good education, which, of course, includes how to bait a hook without hooking a thumb.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 200 mm; f/18; 1/160 sec.; ISO 320.

(Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Watch Out, Adam!

Apples are starting to appear here; looks like there will be plenty for harvesting in Autumn. Many of the apple trees around here are “wild”; that is, they’re survivors of abandoned orchards and farms of years ago.

Photo info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 300mm; f/5.6; 1/1600 sec.; ISO 320.

Apple trees were brought to Maine initially in the 16th Century by European fisherman who planted them on the sea islands where the men camped. Much of the apple crop that’s picked locally goes into cider presses. It reportedly takes about 36 mature apples to create a gallon of cider. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Felicitous Fog

Fog has become a common nuisance around here this week. Some of us have come to view it as, basically, a belligerent stratus cloud that has decided to impose its boredom on us.

Camera info: Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 400mm; f/10; 1/2500 sec.; ISO 500.

Nonetheless, something special can happen when sun and fog have a fencing match on the sea -- advancing and retreating, thrusting and parrying in the wind. It’s then that the increased moisture in the air can filter and reflect light along the edges of the battlefield to make colorful things seem more colorful, especially tan bark red sails and blue water. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: A Little Mystery

It’s about half an inch long, has only two functional wings (unlike bees, which have four), and hovers in one spot for 60 seconds or more. We think that it’s a species of Hover Fly, but are not certain if that is correct and, if so, which Hover Fly it might be.

Nikon D-810; 200-400 f/4 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at 400mm; f/4; 1/3200 sec.; ISO 500

Any entomologists out there? By the way, what you see here is two merged images of one insect that let me walk around it while it was hovering in a beam of light in deep woods. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Cruel World Department

Two weeks ago, five female Common Eiders and at least 13 of their ducklings appeared in Great Cove, roaming together like a feathered flotilla. Two days later, the convoy had 11 ducklings. On July 11, when this image was taken, there were six ducklings. (One was lollygagging out of frame.)

The probable cause of the phenomenon was seen last week: one of our resident Bald Eagles was diving on the squawking flotilla and the adult Eiders were diving deeply; the ducklings apparently didn’t yet know how to dive deeply. (Brooklin, Maine)

In the Right Place: Enough

We’ve had four consecutive days of dense morning fog here. Some days, it slinks off later and the sun appears, but it often slips slowly back, like a suspicious character in a mystery movie.

After four fog days, even life-long residents who like fog say, “Seen enough.” That’s roughly the Maine equivalent of New York’s “Enough with the fog, already.” In this image, the schooner Heritage skillfully glides into fog-bound Great Cove with most of her sails still up. (Brooklin, Maine)