MORE WINTERY SCENES AND ACTIVITIES......
It continues to be a snowy scene up here in Maine. I did get back to the campground this week and was surprised to find how much melting had occurred. I went at low tide, so of course the beaches were snow free. The shoreline trails were manageable with lots of exposed areas for safe hiking. As the trails led into the woods, there was more snow to contend with...not over my boots however! I checked out the cache of rose hips (see below to right) and learned that the squirrels had been dining. In that same area, I found not only deer tracks, but their scat. Those droppings stand out well against the background of white snow. I stayed long enough to enjoy a nice sunset. The sun sets these days quite far south, in fact behind East Brown Cow Island. In the picture to the left, you can see the dark strip of the island in the distance. During the summer seasons many of you have enjoyed such sights as the sun sets behind Bailey Island or parts farther north. The picture was taken from the rocks east of Breakwater Point and north of the Bath Tub.

We are expecting another big storm, this time with sleet and ice mixed in. Our beautiful, soft snow cover is going to undertake a drastic change, I fear. At least our cars are now undercover. Our new garage is a safe haven from these winter storms. Plowing becomes easier also since there are no cars to maneuver around.

On Friday, I had a fun outing with school kids as they are testing the quality of water in various streams and creeks. North Creek is a target since it is still closed due to pollution. A Bowdoin professor and Morse High School teacher are assisting in tests for oxygen levels, nitrite/nitrates, pH, etc. It is a wonderful grass roots exercise to focus on what might be causing the closure of the clam flats at Totman Cove. If the state officials are too busy for such testing, these efforts may help! I'll have more on this activity in the days to come since samples are taken every Friday. I paused to record this ice design on the edge of North Creek. Remember, this is an active stream that has two forces at work - the incoming tide and the outgoing flow of water draining down from upland areas. As with most tidal waters, the flow creates and changes the edges in interesting patterns of curves and eddies. Salt water does freeze in these areas, sometimes in large flat chunks.

And yes, we did have a fierce storm on Sunday. Pardon me while I go out to shovel us out! 12/17/07 Ronnie on ice.