Deirdre Fleming: Trip to the woods lasts a lifetime

Outdoors

Published
June 16, 2012

Deirdre Fleming: Trip to the woods lasts a lifetime

Wendy Clark Wescott grew up in the New York suburbs, not a child who had an interest in the outdoors. But Junior Maine Guide camp changed that, so much so that Wescott, now 61, is meeting her former camp mates this summer up near Rangeley on the edge of the north Maine woods, where more […]
Published
June 16, 2012

Pedal On: The way to get children started on the right path for bicycling

A co-worker recently shared with me the story of a bicycle outing with her young daughter that turned painful — for Mom. In an effort to avoid a collision when her child slowed significantly while chatting away, Mom hit the soft sand at the edge of the street where they were riding, didn’t get out […]
Published
June 16, 2012

ALLEN AFIELD: Living like a pioneer

Bill Woodward, a retired fisheries biologist from Monmouth, lives off the land like a 21st century pioneer -- hunting, fishing, gardening and gathering wild foods.
Published
June 16, 2012

OUTDOORS: Photographer follows rescued eagle

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- It took eight years, but Jon Smithers' obsession with photographing a banded eagle finally paid off.
Published
June 16, 2012

Deirdre Fleming: Disease taking toll on bats

The summer bat survey that has begun in Maine to gauge the health of the state's bat population shows signs of a depleted population.

Published
June 9, 2012

Diamonds in the rough

Volunteers are journeying into the backwoods to help the state discover uncharted brook trout ponds.
Published
June 9, 2012

Birding: Choir of early morning songbirds music to his ears

The overworn expression that there is no accounting for taste certainly applies to music. At this time of year, I thrill to the music of the birds whose concerts start well before the crack of dawn. As a reader of this column, I’m sure you share my joy of the morning chorus. On the other […]
Published
June 9, 2012

Kid Tracks: Eyebrow and Old Speck trails both reward, challenge hikers

By WENDY ALMEIDA Assistant News Editor, Features The Eyebrow at Grafton Notch State Park is a trail on Old Speck Mountain that offers a lot of variety for hikers — from the cable handrails to the iron rungs and metal ladder to aid hikers across a small open rock face. Although it’s a steep climb, […]
Published
June 9, 2012

John Christie: Options abound if you’re looking to spot a moose

Spending my summers as an employee of the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, at Camden Hills State Park, I have the pleasure of talking with thousands of visitors “from away” and describing to them the things that make our beloved state so special. The two questions I’m asked the most, by […]
Published
June 9, 2012

ALLEN AFIELD: Experience, books create skilled amateur naturalists

While bicycling one recent morning, I stopped at a convenience store to buy more Vitaminwater to get me home, and a quick conversation with three men in the parking lot started me thinking -- once again -- about the long road to becoming a knowledgeable amateur naturalist.