FALL ON THE MAINE COAST - PORTLAND TO BAR HARBOR I

PORTLAND TO ROCKLAND:

I had not experienced a New England Fall in many years. This year I went on a photo trip to Maine, and it was a lovely experience. After the photography tour, my family joined me for a family time in Maine.

The trip started in mid-October with the rendezvous point being Portland, Maine, in the afternoon. I flew in the afternoon before, and enjoyed a little quiet time before the fun began. After getting settled into our motel, we were off to Portland Head to photograph the lighthouse as the sun set. The setting is lovely, and the evening light was cooperative.

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse After Sunset

We went into Portland to have dinner afterwards. One of the best places to dine is DiMillo’s. The food was very good but it was Friday evening, and we had a long wait as we were a party of 12! We broke up into groups and settled into the bar and eventually got served.

We finally got back to our motel about 10:30 p.m.

Portland Head Lighthouse w/Earth Shadow

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14^TH

Off this morning for sunrise at Portland Head Light. There were low clouds to the East so sunrise was not spectacular. Started photographing to the North of the lighthouse. Certainly a different perspective than the evening before. 

Portland Head Lighthouse from the North

Eventually I wandered back to the South side of the lighthouse for the final shoot of the morning. 

Portland Head Lighthouse in the Morning

After breakfast we packed up and were on our way to Rockland, located about an hour up the coast, and is the home port of a number of sailing schooners that ply the waters with tourists for several days at a time.

In Rockland about half of the group stayed at the Rockland Harbor Hotel which overlooked the ferry landing and part of the harbor. The remainder of the group stayed in a vacation home operated by  metal sculptor, Erica Moody, and her husband (ericamoody.com.). We enjoyed touring her workshop and seeing her work. 

 

First Fall Color

In the afternoon we went to Pemaquid Point for sunset with the iconic lighthouse. 

Wave Action Below Pemaquid Lighthouse

Pemaquid lighthouse

Pemaquid Lighthouse After Sunset

 I enjoyed my time at the point though I made a few technical errors with my photography. We stayed until well after sunset, and enjoyed

the later time with fewer people around.

After carefully walking  back up the rocks we were off to Rockland for dinner. Almost every night I enjoyed fresh seafood. This evening it was a delicious lobster roll at Hill’s Seafood Company in Rockland.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15^TH

It was a very foggy morning so we did not go out to photograph as a group due to the very low visibility. I enjoyed a quiet walk around downtown and the Ferry Landing in the fog. Many boats have already been hauled out for the winter, and I enjoyed wandering around them.

Breakfast was at Home Kitchen Café which was quite crowded, and very delicious. We were then off to Camden Hills State Park. It was still in some fog at the top of Mt. Battie, but that added a touch of atmosphere, and it eventually dissipated. Mt. Battie has a commanding view of Penobscot Bay.

 

FALL COLOR ON MT. BATTIE

FALL COLOR 1

FALL COLOR 2

I think we spent about two and a half hours wandering around the top of the mountain finding different compositions of the colorful trees. That is one reason for taking a tour. You are not pressured by other friends or family that think you have got all you need after about a half hour. This way you walk around and study different angles and compositions.

 

RED AND GREEN

MAPLE RED

 

LICHEN

A QUIET FALL SCENE

FALL CLUSTER

TRUNK AND FALL COLOR

We eventually headed South to the Rockland area for sunset at Marshall Point Lighthouse.

MARSHALL POINT LIGHTHOUSE

This lighthouse is located at the entrance to Port Clyde Harbor. I carefully worked my way out onto the rocks to get different views. I did not get much for my efforts other than a lot of time carefully scrambling among the rocks. The lighthouse is being repainted so it was not in it’s finest attire. The sky was quite clear of clouds so the sunset effect was short.

 

MARSHALL POINT LIGHT

We returned to Hills Seafood Company for dinner. This time I enjoyed fresh haddock. It was delicious.