The Atlantic Seaboard

My travels this summer take me back to East Coast, further south this time from the source of the Newfoundland sagas of last summer. I began in Kennebunk, Maine for some R&R 10 days ago, and am currently at St Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick,
Along the way, I hope to be able to photograph Atlantic puffins at their breeding colony on Machias Island in the Atlantic ocean, about 20 km offshore from Grand Manan, New Brunswick. (I’ve reserved passage on the boat that goes out there July 18.) Then, if time permits, I may visit the Northern Gannet breeding colony on Île Bonaventure off Percé on the Gaspé Peninsula.

Meanwhile, I’ve been poking up the eastern seaboard, once again soaking in the flavour of the Atlantic coast. Here is some of what caught the eye.

The Maine Coast

Moon over Kennebunk, Maine

Moon over Kennebunk, Maine

 

Flags everywhere!

After the 4th of July: Flags everywhere!

 

Local colour, Machias, Maine

Local colour, Machias, Maine

 

Roadside stand

Roadside stand

Never to sail again (although with unbridled optimism, the owner has placed a For Sale sign beside it.

Never to sail again (although with unbridled optimism, the owner has placed a barely visible For Sale sign on it).

Never to farm again.

Never to farm again.

Roadside kitsch -1

Roadside kitsch -1

Roadside kitsch - 2

Roadside kitsch – 2

 Acadia National Park

One of the ‘must see’ attractions on the Maine Coast is Acadia National Park, and it’s famous Cadillac Mountain. Here are some views from the top.

Atop Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park.

Atop Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park.

Late afternoon sun from Cadillac Mountain

Late afternoon sun from Cadillac Mountain

 

St Croix Island

Straddling the Maine-New Brusnwick border lies the St. Croix River and the Island of St. Croix, site of one of the earliest French settlements in North America (1604). It was abandoned after the first winter. Archeological evidence shows that the island was inhabited by aboriginals as early as 3,000 years ago.

Settlement at St. Croix 1604

Settlement at St. Croix 1604

 

'Wuli ta has wugnul' sculpture with St. Croix Island in the background

‘Wuli ta has wugnul’ sculpture with St. Croix Island in the background

“Wuli ta has wugnul” by Lance Belanger a Wolastoqiyik and his Art Associate Kitty Mykka means “good thoughts of the past” and reflects the friendly interaction between the Aboriginal and the French in the 1600’s, which developed into an active partnership. Their sculpture acts as a beacon between the two cultures and represents aspects of friendship, migration and transportation as well as trade. The “toric” shape is an emergence of two relevant forms; the bottom portion of a canoe paddle which represents the Aboriginal Peoples in Eastern Canada and the second is the shape of the French ship’s structure as seen from an overhead perspective. (Information from Parks Canada)

St. Andrews-by-the-Sea

Today, foggy and rainy, I’m staying in St. Andrews, NB, last stop before taking the ferry tomorrow to Grand Manan Island. Here, a couple of scenes from the harbour last evening.

Pier lamp posts: detail

Pier lamp posts: detail

Low tide

Low tide