Outdoors

Published
June 16, 2012

Allen Afield: Living off the land soothes the spirit, pleases the palate

Bill Woodward, a retired fisheries biologist from Monmouth, lives off the land like a 21st-century pioneer — hunting, fishing, gardening and gathering wild foods. While talking with me recently, Woodward emphasized that central Maine offers myriad blessings for ambitious souls intent on harvesting a good chunk of their annual food off the land, beginning with […]
Published
June 16, 2012

John Christie: It’s a little-known delight, that fort from Colonial times

At about the point where Penobscot Bay begins to narrow into the Penobscot River flowing down from the Katahdin region through Bangor and along both sides of Verona Island, Cape Jellison, a 1,600-acre peninsula, juts out into the bay. In colonial times it was known as Wasaumkeag Point, and the remains of Fort Pownall, built […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Carey Kish: Books explore hiking AT in Maine, Pacific Crest

The busy summer hiking season is here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a few good books when we’re not out tramping along the trail, whether it’s around the campfire, up to camp or relaxing at home. Here are three of my current hiking favorites. Enjoy! “Along Maine’s Appalachian Trail,” by David B. Field […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Best Bets

TODAY Free park admission All day, statewide The outdoors in Maine will be celebrated statewide at all state parks and historic sites with free admission on Fathers Day. All vehicles with a Maine license plate will be granted a free pass. For more information, go to www.parkslandlands.com. TUESDAY Pemaquid Paddlers 9 a.m. in Pemaquid This […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Diamonds in the rough

Volunteers are journeying into the backwoods to help the state discover uncharted brook trout ponds.

Published
June 9, 2012

Deirdre Fleming: Disease taking toll on bats

The summer bat survey that has begun in Maine to gauge the health of the state’s bat population shows signs of a depleted population. The survey aims to find and count bats, because state biologists discovered this winter the fungus that causes white-nose bat syndrome has taken hold. Biologists found as few as five bats […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Birding: Choir of early morning songbirds music to his ears

The overworn expression that there is no accounting for taste certainly applies to music. At this time of year, I thrill to the music of the birds whose concerts start well before the crack of dawn. As a reader of this column, I’m sure you share my joy of the morning chorus. On the other […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Kid Tracks: Eyebrow and Old Speck trails both reward, challenge hikers

By WENDY ALMEIDA Assistant News Editor, Features The Eyebrow at Grafton Notch State Park is a trail on Old Speck Mountain that offers a lot of variety for hikers — from the cable handrails to the iron rungs and metal ladder to aid hikers across a small open rock face. Although it’s a steep climb, […]
Published
June 9, 2012

John Christie: Options abound if you’re looking to spot a moose

Spending my summers as an employee of the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, at Camden Hills State Park, I have the pleasure of talking with thousands of visitors “from away” and describing to them the things that make our beloved state so special. The two questions I’m asked the most, by […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Allen Afield: Experience, books both have lessons for the observant

While bicycling one recent morning, I stopped at a convenience store to buy more Vitaminwater to get me home, and a quick conversation with three men in the parking lot started me thinking — once again — about the long road to becoming a know-ledgeable amateur naturalist. The three men were chatting about the Red […]