Hurricane Earl

Last night was nerve wracking, after a week in the 90s with horrendous humidity it certainly felt like hurricane weather. So we were all just waiting to see what would happen. Light rain started about 10 pm last night, gradually increasing and continuing through the night. At 7am this morning it is a tropical downpour, but still very little wind. The leaves on the trees are shivering with delight though, after the long, hot and dry summer. I am waiting until the rain has stopped to go down and see how much the pond has come up. It had retreated to the old river bed, a delight to shore birds and fishermen, feathered and human.

Summer is here!!!!

All of a sudden we are having temperatures in the mid-90's in May! Some flowers are exploding into bloom while others are fading all too quickly.

It is wonderful to see my garden growing and developing, a vision in the making.

This pale yellow columbine is a delight, a plant that I actually purchased! The blue leafed hosta provides a suitable backdrop.

Lupins and poppies, common, but reluctant to be moved and establish themselves. This area of the garden is really starting to come into its own and I look forward to seeing how it progresses throughout the summer.

In the meantime, nature quietly continues to offer her own glory in the shape of numerous ladyslipper orchids scattered around my land.

Out on Penobscot Bay the schooners are setting out with the first fortunate passengers of the season.

Rising at 5 this morning I was able to catch this glorious sun rising through the mist!

Mornings in Maine

Yesterday the mist was rising off the pond just as the sun was coming up. The light was glorious!

 It never ceases to amaze me how different each magical morning can be!

The shafts of sunlight through the trees and golden mist were stunning!

The loons have been filling the air with their calls and I watched the pair for a while.

Trillium

Glorious spring days, although sadly so glorious that the dreaded BLACKFLY are now out! The purple trillium are in bloom.

Still and sunny morning, storms forecast for this afternoon. So pretty this morning and I saw a robin in the front yard this morning, a rare site around the house. There was a pretty purple finch on the bird feeder yesterday at the height of a violent thunderstorm that produced something frozen and white falling from the sky. It was 60 degrees out, not hard enough to be hail, much more slushy, very strange.

I had purchased red pepper suet for the bird feeder as it is supposed to repel squirrels. They (the squirrels) love it and have almost finished it in a few days! There have been grey and red squirrels on the feeder this morning, to the frustration of the cats.

Pileated Woodpecker

Lovely and warm today after a cool start, sunny with showers and interesting cloud effects.

 Out in the front of the house, enjoying the flowers, I suddenly spotted my pileated woodpecker.

He spends the nights in a maple outside my bedroom window and in winter I can lie in bed and look at him looking at me from his bed.

Home in Maine

After an exceedingly long journey it was so good to be back home in Maine. Missing my family and relieved not to have been caught by the volcanic eruption in Iceland!

I woke early my first morning back and took a morning walk down to watch the sun rising over Trues Pond.

Here is the sunrise reflected in the pond.

Unheard of, my daffodils are in full bloom in early April, although there was snow on them yesterday morning when I woke up!

It is possible to spend hours watching the changing colors and textures in water, Something that endlessly fascinates me.

More from Alfriston

Back in Maine and beginning to recover from the flight. Looking through the photos reminds me of the joy of going out for a morning walk around the village in the early morning just as the sun was rising. This is the back view of St Andrews Church, taken from the banks of the River Cuckmere.

The main road into Alfriston is glorious in spring with this bank of daffodils.

A lane in the village of Alfriston leading down to the River Cuckmere in the misty morning light.

The River Cuckmere in early morning mist. It was so good to be there and to be able to enjoy this.

The River Cuckmere just to the south of Alfriston. It is possible to walk along the riverbank all the way to the sea.

The Village Store and Post Office. Now under new ownership and still providing even more high quality and gourmet food as well as staples.

Scenes along the village street. First the remains of the market cross and above The George, pub, restaurant and hotel.

One of my very favorite views in the area, Cuckmerehaven, where the river meets the sea. In the foreground the old Coastguard Cottages and beyond the white cliffs of The Seven Sisters.

On the way home.