Acadia National Park Day 3

Lynn and I planned another early start in the park.   Getting to the park earlier than or at least by 6:30 AM gives you a good three hours before most people arrive.  It's a magical time for both light, quiet and potential animal sightings.  We loved it.

We were enjoying this overlook when Lynn spotted a doe down the road.  I soon noticed a fawn coming to join her.

White-Tailed Deer

As we continued along, we spotted a second doe and fawn foraging together but didn't get photos of that pair.  In all we saw eight deer on Day 3.

Egg Rock Light and the beautiful morning light

again

Sun was only predicted in these early morning hours, and already, the clouds were crowding in.

I saw a flash of lavender on the roadside, so we slowly backed up to see what it was and were happy to discover a Purple-Fringed Bog-Orchid (slightly passed its prime).  I'm not sure if it's a greater or lesser variety (size differential).  It's funny how things can catch your eye one day and not another.  I never saw this plant again!

Purple Fringed Bog-Orchid

We stopped at Thunder Hole, which was quiet except for some Black-Throated Green Warblers and sparrows hopping about.  There is some nice Fireweed growing along the paved path down to the overlook.

Fireweed

Gorgeous light on the water

Black Guillemots

A pre-breakfast snack was in order at this stop!

We climbed Cadillac Mountain again (did I mention this was in the car?) and walked the summit loop, finding butterflies and wildflowers.

 Clouded Sulphur

 Common Raven

 Whorled Loosestrife

 American Lady

 Dark-Eyed Junco

Dark-Eyed Juncos are only in Massachusetts in the winter months, but they are found in Maine year round.  I was relieved to find this out, because I did not want to imagine them flying south for the winter already!

 Primrose Moth in Evening Primrose

yet another!

View towards Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands

Pearl Crescent

After a late breakfast, we all headed over to Northeast Harbor, a new stop for me.  We visited the harbor, the downtown shops, the Maritime Museum, and Thuya Garden.

Lynn in the Maritime Museum

Sound School House (1842)

now home to Mt. Desert Historical Society

We were under the impression that this was a late-season flower garden and weren't sure there'd be much in bloom in late July.  It was quite beautiful, very bright and some of the flowers were so tall they towered above us!  I highly recommend a visit.  The $5 suggested donation is very reasonable.  No cell phones (two people were on them when we were there, but they did speak to them about it).  It is meant to be a contemplative, restful place of beauty, and it was.  We climbed the 200 steps from the overflow parking lot, and on the way back down, enjoyed views of the harbor below.  During our visit, we were entertained by monarchs, fritillaries and ruby-throated hummingbirds as well as the gorgeous blooms.

 Monarch

All I could think was:   Chihuly!

 Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

A light rain emptied out the gardens right about the time we were planning to leave anyway.  We could hear distant thunder, but we were not bothered by the rain at all.  Enjoyed dinner in Bar Harbor but no sunset due to the rain.  Another excellent day!