9/22/15 DeMeritt Forest

Cool ( 50's when we started) and overcast. I didn't feel like a long drive so we headed for the forest.

The Logan Rd. start still looks like summer.

This small stream has dwindled to a large puddle.

Since it's been so dry, we decide to try the Green trail which is usually quite wet. Today it was a bit overgrown

 but Kelley managed to find a puddle to lie down in

Some fungi - few wildflowers about now.

We met a nice woman and her large dog Rosie ( a bullmastiff )  and chatted a bit about hiking with dogs but otherwise we had the place to ourselves.

I really like this stand of trees and almost always photograph them, even though the pictures end up looking very similar.

Lagging behind - near the end of the hike.

We crossed the road and went down to the Stillwater.

A nice outing. Kelley did well. 1  3/4 hours

9/21/15 Little River Trail

Beautiful day to be in the woods - sunny and 60's. We started at the east end at the water district office.

Reservoir # 1 from there was looking good - but still no fall colors.

The trail is mostly close to the water but much of the bank is too steep for Kelley.

First spot she can get in

which she did

There is one road to cross and this takes you near the spillway. We were surprised to see no water coming over it; have never seen it without.

This was taken last October - note the water level behind the spillway

Kelley the other side of the spillway and you can again see how low the water is in the second reservoir.

We usually go to the point where the trail turns away from the water but found less and less water as we continued west

This area is usually under water

Shortly after this we turned back and were again near the water

Nearly back and a final swim.

A nice hike through pretty woods on a beautiful day. The low water was disappointing but we are finding low water everywhere we hike. Kelley did well. 2  1/4 hours

9/20/15 Downtown Bangor

We woke up to rain and waited for it to stop and then headed downtown. The sun came out but it stayed in the upper 60's and was quite nice.

This graffiti was on a boarded up house. The artist, Pigeon , was active around town for awhile. He did his work on paper and then put it up with flour and water paste so it was not permanent.

There are still lots of flowers around.

I let Kelley pick the route and she took us through some neighborhoods but eventually got us the Kenduskeag Stream Trail - she knows where the water is.

The bridge across the stream

Taken from the bridge - you can see how low the water is this year.

Last October

The first place she can get to the stream

A little farther upstream

I don't know this pretty flower

I thought this small graffiti was clever as he used the ledge as a seat.

A pleasant outing - there was a nice group doing maintenance on the trail and Kelley was happy to greet them. She also got water and lots of interesting scents.
1  1/4 hours 

9/19/15 Marsh Island

This was a bit disappointing. Last time we had tried the trail from Hillside we got to a construction area ( apartments ) and the trail just petered out. We decided to see if the land trust had routed the trail around the area.

First stop was the small pond near the start

Just a short ways down the trail we missed a turn because it was so overgrown - bad sign - not much use.

We walked a bit farther and came to a sign saying " construction area" do not enter - we went a short distance ans saw buildings under construction. We turned back and Kelley had another go at the pond.

Decided to go to the trail at the end of Penobscot which was still good last time we hiked here. When we got there Kelley didn't want to get out of the car; I gave up and drove home. Don't know what the plans are for this area ( couldn't  find info on the land trust site ) . Most of the land trusts have agreements with owners of private lands that the trails cross. In this case the owner decided to develop. Perhaps there will be a rerouting of the trails 

9/18/15 Sears Island

Another hot one sent us back to the coast. The tides were right so this time it was Sears Island. At high tide parts of the shore are under water.

First things first.

Some things on the shore

The west side shore as we head toward the Green Trail

There are still a few wildflowers

The Green Trail and the Homestead Trail took us to the east side of the island.

 and a final swim

We met some people at the end but before that had it to ourselves. Kelley did well and we got our hike in early.  1  3/4 hours 

9/17/15 Newman Hill

Going to be another hot one (mid 80's) so we got an early start and picked a route with lots of water.

Before we left the parking area a dragonfly landed on my shirt.

 I put my hand beside it and it climbed aboard.

I set it on a flower and we headed for the first pond

Gone to seed

 This section of the old rail bed leads to a beaver pond.

and another swim

These were very small and I didn't get sharp focus but here they are

Crown Vetch

 Can't resist the Queen Anne's Lace

A full load of pollen

Kelley did well and the hike was pleasant. Was glad we had started early because it was less comfortable at the end. !  1/2 hours