Holbrook Island Sanctuary

Although we spent 4 1/2 months here last year, we are finding new places to visit this summer. We learned about a nearby state park called the Holbrook Island Sanctuary and decided to give it a look.

In 1971 Anita Harris, a long-time area resident, donated 1,230 acres to the State of Maine in order "to preserve for the future a piece of the unspoiled Maine that I used to know." In keeping with her vision the Sanctuary will not be altered with modern park facilities and is essentially a network of old roads, paths, and trails.

Penobscot Bay

The park includes shoreline on Penobscot Bay and Smith Cove which eventually open into the Atlantic Ocean.  The tides here are significant, running about ten feet from high tide to low twice each day.

This dock gives an idea of how much the tides change the water level. They hadn't installed it yet this year, but a hinged ramp is attached to a floating platform that allows access to the water as it rises and falls. 

There are a number of trails in the park, and we hiked two of them. Along the way the spring migrants were singing and trying to attract mates. 

Yellow Warbler

This Yellow Warbler male was looking mighty fine with his red pinstripes. 

Magnolia Warbler

A Magnolia Warbler was singing his best song in the hopes of attracting a mate. 

Red-eyed Vireos are not as colorful as Warblers, but their incessant "Here I am...Where are you..." song was everywhere in the forest.

Red-eyed Vireo

Maine forests are cool, and green, and covered with moss. Unfortunately there are also plenty of Black Flies this time of year, but we've got some pretty good insect repellent and haven't been bothered too badly. 

As we left the park we saw that the lobster fishermen were preparing for another season. This place had hundreds of lobster pots stacked up and ready to go. 

Our final bird of the trip was an adult Bald Eagle flying over the road. What a nice way to end a day of exploration.

Bald Eagle