Damariscove Island

The last two summers my son and his girlfriend have been fortunate enough to be caretakers of Damariscove Island, which is part bird sanctuary, and part nature walk. The lobstermen use its small harbor, and a number of private boats dock throughout the season, including the owners of the de-commissioned coastguard station. It’s about a 40 minute boat ride from Boothbay Harbor. Saturday I had the opportunity to go on a bird walk and although I did hesitate (thinking how much writing I wouldn’t get done if I spent an entire day out on some island), good sense won out and I signed up for the walk. And holy shite am I glad I did! It was a gorgeous late summer day, perfectly sunny with ‘light and variable winds’ and temps around 70 degrees. Who the heck wouldn’t want to go on a boat ride and a bird walk on an island?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
leaving Boothbay Harbor
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a church
 

I wouldn't mind if this was my summer house, you?

                                                                           Inner Heron Island, I think

the coastguard station - privately owned. A week or two here in July would be nice.

the caretakers cottage (is it cute or what?)

butterfly and goldenrod 

 purple asters; they were everywhere, growing in between the rocks along the shore, in the old foundations, and wild along the paths in thick ,showy clusters, like this.

the surf was amazing

a raft of eiders (hey, don't laugh; that's what they call it - probably because it floats)

my son and the view behind him toward the Pumpkin Ledges. You can see what an absolutely beautiful day it was. After going on the bird walk in the morning we had a picnic lunch on Bar Cove Beach and then my son gave me a personal tour to the tower and then down to Flat Ledge on the west side (not shown) and back to the docks.