Category Archives: Vacation

Seals and Gulls

We recently spent a nice week on Cape Cod, avoiding crowds and taking long walks along the National Seashore beaches.

Aside from the access points, the beaches had very few visitors.

We saw a lot of gulls, Herring, Greater Black-backed, and likely others.

Each day, we also saw dozens of Harbor Seals who seemed to enjoy us as much as we did them.

Come back and see us next year!

Some Maine Birds

During our stay in Maine, we heard a nice variety of birds but many were buried in foliage and constantly moving. This Black-throated Green popped out for a quick photo op.

This Alder/Willow Flycatcher and Cedar Waxwing pair picked a dead tree for their perch.

Flycatchers aren”t singing so identifying them is pretty tough.
Even the young Downy Woodpeckers provided a challenge.

On the water, there were lots of cormorants, gulls, and ducks beyond scope range. I saw a passing White-rumped Sandpiper, a bird I haven’t seen in 8 years.

Greater Black-backed Gull – big and noisy.
Herring Gull

Just after seeing this Herring Gull, we returned to the trail and Ginger suddenly darted into the underbrush. I went after her, saw trouble, and yelled at her to come. She turned, moved toward me, and I grabbed her leash. Then I took a picture of this guy, who had just ambled up the tree a few feet. It could have been a disaster, dozens of miles from a vet. She got big-time praise and treats.

Maine Vacation

We spent last week in Maine, doing some sight-seeing, a little birding, and enjoying the quiet and beauty around us.

The camp overlooked the bay.
Beach roses, while invasive, were lovely along the trails we walked.

We drove over to Eastport and saw this massive cruise ship and the mermaid sculpture, and walked and shopped a bit.

The Oceania Riviera will depart soon for Europe. The 785-foot ship arrived in Eastport on June 14 with no passengers and has been waiting for the green light for cruise ships to resume operations.
The water was too cold for swimming but Ginger got in up t0 her belly, but wouldn’t swim to the stick (right side) that I threw.
Posing in front of the owner’s lobster boat.

We had a great time and hope to return next year. Next post will have a few of the birds we saw.