8/29/16 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

An early start and more comfortable temps. No wind and no insects- I think the dry summer has kept the mosquito population in check.

Pano of Partridge Pond. Please click separately for large version



and , of course, Kelley in the pond

If you cross the stream that comes out of the pond ( almost dry today) you come to a large ledge , which you can see sticking out in picture above

and another chance at the pond

Tree on the trail to Ducktail

 Ducktail Pond

It became quite windy and blew the water across the lily pads so they were just under the water

Last time in Ducktail

That bridge again - and again she went around

Nice day in the woods. Kelley did well though a bit slower ( I may be a bit slower too as we are both aging) . We also had the place to ourselves- very peaceful. 1  3/4 hours 

8/28/16 Kenduskeag Stream

Not a hike - Kelley was reluctant to get in the car so we juts went to the nearby stream.

The water is even lower than last we were here

but there were pools for Kelley

and this woman and her young children were trying to fish

While Kelley enjoyed the water I looked along the bank

I didn't see the bee in this jewelweed until I processed the picture

When I tried to get Kelley to walk along the stream she just sat down. After several tries it was back in the water and then home. 

8/26/16 Harbor Brook

Yesterday Kelley went with some friends and their dog so no description or pictures. Forecast for today is upper 80's so we headed for  the coast where it will be much cooler and chose a trail with lots of water for Kelley, even though we had been here recently.

The woods are fairly dense so there are few flowers or their attendant insects so we have a lot of pictures of Kelley in the water. She got in many times and stayed in the water longer than usual, even though the temperature was a comfortable 70, so it was a slow hike.

The stream was quite low because we have still got little rain.

But there were lots of pools deep enough for Kelley

A few flowers manage to bloom in the bits of sunlight on the stream bank

Near the end coming back
           

A nice day with very comfortable temps, no bugs, and a happy Kelley. 1  1/2 hours

8/23/16 Newman Hill-Hinds

Pleasant morning in the lower 70's with a little breeze to keep the bugs down. We got rain and cooler temperatures yesterday.

We took a little different route today as Kelley wanted a particular trail we hadn't done in a long time. There was water for Kelley and wildflowers for me, though wind made closeups difficult.


Rudbeckia

Part of Pine Pond - for some reason she stayed next to the shore and wouldn't give me a clear shot

Goldenrod

Poorly exposed but....

a bit of lichen on a tree branch

Don't know this one

  Small pond next to Black Pond ( not on the map)

Locks on the gate across the old rail bed

Too soon

more flowers I don't know

Nice outing. Kelley did well and we had the place to ourselves. 1  3/4 hours

8/20/16 Little Long Pond

A little late with this one. So briefly - it's been so dry around here we headed for the pond where we sure of water.

We started at the end of the pond

From the meadow on the west side

From the meadow into the woods

where Kelley found a muddy little stream

and nice water when we got to Jordan Stream

Coming back on the east side carriage road we met people and their dogs, which always pleases Kelley.

Last swim before we head home.

Pretty nice little hike. Kelley did well, no bugs, comfortable temperatures. 1 3/4 hours