7/6/14 Marsh Island

Yesterday we had a rainy morning and just walked around the neighborhood. Today we were looking for trails that would not be too wet ( we had got 3. 5 " of rain) . We started from Hillside and there is soon a pond ( not the one shown on the map) which Kelley was happy about.

It is a small pond and we walked around it with me taking pictures and Kelley in and out of the water.

We then followed the course outlined on the map and did well, considering I often have trouble with these trails.

Some wild flowers

We headed for the fields near the Penobscot which contain large patches of milkweed and often lots of Monarchs. Today the milkweed flowers were mostly not open yet and there were no monarchs.  There were other butterflies and flowers.

We did end up on an unknown trail on our return but it took us back to the one we had come in on. On the way back I found this odd fungus

Back to the pond and on the short trail to the car-

This one was tiny- less than an inch across

A pretty good hike- temps in the 70's- few mosquitoes or deer fliers, water for Kelley and lots for me to photograph.  2  1/2 hours

7/4/14 City Forest

Forecast is for rain the next couple of days so we went to the forest to get in a hike before it started.

Ominous looking skies - heading across the meadow and down to the pond.

After Kelley had a couple of dips in the pond we took the West Trial to where it meets the old rail bed. We went down there briefly- another water chance for Kelley- but the deer flies were as bad as the last time we were here and we returned via the Main and Loop Roads and then back to West. Still mosquitoes and deer flies but at a more tolerable level.

Some of the things we saw

Talking to each other?

All alone

Can't resist the dragonflies

 Milkweed

Another

Two versions of a flower I don't know

And another I don't know

Clover

We got in two hours without getting rained on- it started as we were driving home. Not a bad outing in spite of the bugs. We met some nice people and there were several dogs and Kelley seemed happy with the hike.

Last night heavier rain started and is continuing as I write along with flash flood and wind advisories. Kelley is looking bored and probably wondering why we are still home. Eventually I will get dressed and we will go for a walk in the rain.

7/3/14 Along the Kenduskeag

Forecast was for thunder storms with possible damaging winds, heavy rain, and small hail so we just went to the nearby stream for a short walk.

The stream was low, as it usually is in summer, but Kelley found some deeper pools.

And I got a couple of pictures

Chicory

Milkweed. just opening

Kelley was not enthusiastic about walking so we headed home. It did none of the above predicted. It did get hot - 86 degrees. 

7/2/14 Little Long Pond

Another hot day but the forecast for Acadia is ten degrees cooler so that's where we headed. We couldn't get into our usual parking lot, because it was blocked by people hitching horses to a wagon, so we started from the other side and did the loop around the pond.

Kelley was, as usual,  in the water first thing.

This is one of her favorite hikes because there is water most of the way and also people and dogs. I found lots of flowers.

When we got to Jordan stream, we found it much lower than on our last visit.

These leaves looked almost like fall was on the way

This damselfly seemed to be looking at me

Looking back down the trail as we have an apple break

North end of the pond

and from a little further south

More lily pads

Near the end I spotted a loon quite close to shore- not a common sight for me

Pretty good hike- some mosquitoes but no deer flies. 76 degrees when we finished- 91 degrees when we got back to town . Kelley was her usual enthusiastic self and we met several people and dogs.  2 hours

7/1/14 Essex Woods

Going to be 90 degrees and already uncomfortable in the morning. Even Kelley was not enthusiastic so, a short nearby hike and then time in the shade. I found the above map after our hike. It has the trails we wandered but I couldn't say which we were on except along the marsh where Kelley could get in the water.

I did get a few pictures on our 45 minute walk

There were lots of ducks in the water but Kelley paid them no mind.

We ere both glad to be back in the car. On a positive note- there were few mosquitoes or deer flies. 

6/30/14 Perch Pond Trails

Getting to be really summer- around 80 when we started. These trails are not far and I didn't want to drive a long ways and find swarms of deer flies. We started from the parking lot on Poplar St..Some mosquitoes but no deer flies!

Bog bridges near the start of South Trail

We took the 100 Acre Woods Trail ( no flies) to Spruce Road and there we encountered deer flies- not as bad as yesterday but still annoying. I wanted to go by the small pond so Kelley could cool off. Once we got back in the woods there were few flies.

Kelley was really happy when we reached Perch Pond -deep enough to swim - and there were no flies on that trail either

A little further on we stopped by the pond for a little lunch and I got my first two damselflies of the season

We then followed the route shown back. The rest of the way there was only an occasional deer fly but it was getting warm and we were ready for the air conditioned car- now upper 80's. Not a bad outing 2  1/2 hours