#TravelTuesday Acadia National Park

On February 26,1919 a park was birthed in Maine known as Lafayette National Park. A decade later its name was changed to Acadia in honor of the former French colony which once included Maine. An extensive roadway system was constructed throughout the park during its early years largely financed, designed and overseen by John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Acadia encompasses quite a few diverse features including shorelines, mountains, islands, lakes, and marshes.  Wildlife in the park is widely varied, with around forty species of mammals wandering its rocky beaches and comely forests.

 

This part of the United States is second only to the Pacific Northwest in amounts of precipitation accrued annually.  Ice, fog, snow, rain, blizzards and pounding storms all influence the weather of Acadia.  If you’re traveling there, be prepared.

 

...and There He Sat

Driving to work this morning I spotted a Great Blue Heron squatted by the side of a pond. I had seen one there before, as I usually see them, stalking their prey like death from above. I was late so I hurried by but on my return an hour later it was still there. I was able to park and head in for a discreetly closer look. He turned to stare at me, looked away, looked back, but made no attempt to flee. Looking closer at his throat made me think he was dealing with a bad case of indigestion. I don't know what he ate, but from the size of his engorged esophagus maybe he was going to be there for a while trying to get it down. Maybe in this case his food was fighting back.

 ...and there he sat.

Nikon D4 Sigma 300m f/2.8 @ 300mm f/2.8 ISO 100 1/800 sec

Sunset at Hibernia Park

Every now and then, and I never know where or when, I happen to be in a great place at a great time. Last week I had one of those evenings. I was close to Hibernia Park in Chester County, Pennsylvania and realized it was quickly approaching sunset. With a mad dash to get into position and set up my gear, I was able to capture a few beautiful images of the Sun’s descent. The way the rays of light tickled the shoreline on the right was unexpected but wonderful, and the soft reflections in the lake brought out the wispy clouds high above.

Nikon D800 Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/16 ISO 100 9 image HDR

Tired!

My wife and I returned from Acadia National Park late last night. Our flight from Portland, Maine was canceled due to inclimate weather, so we had to drive most of the night to get home for work the today. Here's a quick pic of us hiking in the park. Obviously, more to follow.