Supporters like you make our work possible.
To show our appreciation for all you do to support Maine’s wildlife and habitat, we’ve compiled some of our favorite images from 2017. Each was taken by our staff photographer, Ariana van den Akker (and if you see one you love, each is available to order as a print!).
From all of us at Maine Audubon: Thank you!
Pussy Willows during a late snow
Falmouth, Maine
March 2017
One of the first signs of spring, Pussy Willows bloom in early March at Gilsland Farm.
Spring Peeper
Falmouth, Maine
April 2017
The call of Spring Peepers is an indication that winter is finally almost over. After a warm rain in early April, we found this peeper next to our front door at Gilsland Farm.
Night sky from Schoodic Point
Winter Harbor, Maine
April 2017
In April we had our semi-annual Chapter Congress at Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park. We had cool temperatures and clear nights, which made for excellent stargazing until the moon came up.
Northern Cardinal on Forsythia
Falmouth, Maine
May 2017
On a spring day right before the Forsythia really started to fade, a male Northern Cardinal was perched perfectly on a branch in front of the yellow flowers.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Falmouth, Maine
June 2017
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) blooms in late spring. These native woodland perennials attract many pollinators like honey bees and butterflies.
Ponding at Gilsland Farm
Falmouth, Maine
July 2017
A young camper scans the depths of the pond at Gilsland Farm during a session of Maine Audubon’s summer camp.
Between Two Ferns
West Bath, Maine
July 2017
The Green Trail at Hamilton Sanctuary is a 2.1 mile loop through the lush evergreen forest and along the Back Cove in West Bath.
Great Egret in Flight
Falmouth, Maine
July 2017
A Great Egret wading in the pond at Gilsland Farm took off, contrasting with the midsummer trees.
Monarch Caterpillar
Falmouth, Maine
July 2017
This was a second or third instar of a Monarch Caterpillar chewing on a Common Milkweed leaf. It was tiny.
Deer and Turkeys in the Orchard
Falmouth, Maine
July 2017
A White-tailed Deer joined three Wild Turkeys in the orchard at Gilsland Farm one afternoon to snack on the young apples and other flora.
Monarch Butterfly on Swamp Milkweed
Falmouth, Maine
July 2017
The Swamp Milkweed outside the Nature Store was a hotbed of animal activity this summer and autumn. Besides being food for Monarch Butterflies, it drew in native wasps and bees. At least seven Monarch caterpillars formed their chrysalises on them.
Blue Jay Feather
Elliotsville, Maine
July 2017
Staff photographer Ariana van den Akker found this feather while hiking during the Borestone Mountain Naturalist Weekend.
Sunset on the Puffin Cruise
Muscongus Bay, Maine
July 2017
You don’t always get amazing sunsets during evening boat trips, but on our second Puffin Cruise in late July, we were treated to this fantastic long sunset.
Atlantic Puffin
Muscongus Bay, Maine
July 2017
An Atlantic Puffin floats in the water off of Eastern Egg Rock in outer Muscongus Bay. The rock is home to the world’s first restored seabird colony and is managed by National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin. Despite rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine, this year’s nesting season was the most productive on record.
Harbor Seal Colony
Little Franklin Ledge, Maine
July 2017
The Puffin Cruise isn’t just for puffins: we cruised near Little Franklin Ledge to see a colony of Harbor Seals.
The Classic Red Canoe
Scarborough, Maine
August 2017
A classic summer scene: red canoes from the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on the Nonesuch River.
Mothing at Gilsland Farm
Falmouth, Maine
August 2017
A young participant in an evening mothing event at Gilsland Farm keeps a lookout for moths illuminated by a black light.
Snapping Turtle Hatchling
Falmouth, Maine
October 2017
Most years, Snapping Turtles hatch in early September. When the turtles in the nest at Gilsland Farm didn’t emerge by late September, we assumed the nest had failed. But on October 10, a tiny hatchling crossed the path that leads to our headquarters building.
Metallic Green Sweat Bee
Falmouth, Maine
October 2017
One of Maine’s native bees, in the genus Agapostemon (commonly called metallic green sweat bees), finds pollen on a blanket flower. Agapostemon are polylectic, which means that they feed on a variety of plants instead of specializing.
Lake Onawa in Autumn
Elliotsville, Maine
October 2017
There’s nothing better than hiking on beautiful fall days. This view of Lake Onawa is from the top of Borestone Mountain. Most of the foliage you could see from the summit was past peak except for this pocket of trees by the lake.
Presumpscot River in Autumn
Falmouth, Maine
October 2017
One of the best views at Gilsland Farm in all seasons, but especially autumn.
Grey Squirrel with Apple
Falmouth, Maine
October 2017
The Grey Squirrels were busy in late October gathering apples from the trees in the orchard. One squirrel was in the tree knocking apples to the ground while a few others were on the ground taking advantage of the bounty and running off.
Like what you see? You can make an end-of-year donation to support our work. Or, return to the Maine Audubon homepage.
