“Nature, Community, Forever.” The motto of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) neatly ties up the organization’s core mission: connecting people with nature in lasting ways. “Forever” is the key concept, because, while legal agreements are binding, if successive generations lose touch with the natural world around them, all bets are off and something precious could… Read more
Most people enjoy watching wildlife, but there is a limit to this hobby. Many species do their best to avoid humans, or they are most active at night. But there is a great solution to this problem and it can open a new world of viewing for your pleasure, in the comfort of your home…. Read more
In Shakespeare’s classic play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet resists pressure to drop her lover from the hated Montegue family by arguing that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Her suggestion that names don’t matter would fall flat when we look at many edible marine species, including sea vegetables, since it… Read more
By Togue Brawn Maine’s scallop season has experienced record prices this year. But are the scallops caught off our shore really any different than those from other areas? You bet they are, and here’s why. Roughly 95 percent of US sea scallops come from the Federal fishery, where large boats generally fish offshore for six… Read more
Curt Chipman photo This winter has been fairly mild, and that may mean you’ll see some of your favorite birds a bit earlier this spring. One of my favorites is the Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), a member of the thrush family, known for their soft plumaged, plump figures and melodic calls. If you are lucky… Read more
“Ed, what are those? There are little black and white birds going crazy out there.” My daughter’s fiancée, Pete, binoculars in hand, was looking out the window at a becalmed Reed Cove, when he noticed some petite ducks repeatedly bobbing up and down in the water. “Ah,” said I, “You’ve spotted the Clown Prince of… Read more
Surely you remember that old Dean Martin song, “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” (what, you’re too young to remember Dean Martin? Check him out on YouTube). This story is about a creature that is pretty hard to love unless you are into seriously ugly reptiles. Compared to this fellow, an iguana is the belle of the… Read more
You can see common winterberry along the Giant’s Stairs Trail (Priscilla Seimer photo) Autumn will soon leave our forests bare. With winter on the way, we need some color to brighten our days. Fortunately we can enjoy a lovely native plant, the common winterberry. Even better, the bright red or orange berries will be on… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Marine Resources Coordinator for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association The Bluefin tuna fishery has long been a part of Harpswell’s heritage. The Casco Bay Tuna Club’s Bailey Island Fishing Tournament began in 1938. At almost 80 years old, it is the longest running fishing tournament on the East Coast (the first Bluefin… Read more
Otter Brook in autumn (Reed Coles photo) I just can’t help it, I’m not a hot weather kind of guy. Oh, I know, this year’s summer weather has been nothing short of amazing, unless you happen to be a farmer. Weeks on end of sunshine, few of those steamy days that remind you of Florida,… Read more