The summer solstice dawned at 4:59 a.m. on June 21 at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. It’s the longest day and shortest night of the year – and it’s the first day of summer.

It wasn’t much of a sunrise. The sky simply grew gradually brighter, and intermittent rain fell from a gloomy, cloud-filled sky.

Press Herald photographer Shawn Patrick Ouellette captured a photo of desolate beauty.

The weather didn’t improve all day, but that didn’t stop Mainers from enjoying the start of summer.

They flew kites, sailed in schooners, played at the beach and in parks, communed with goats and sang in the rain.

Press Herald photographers were there to record it all.