August is high summer in Maine, the Nation’s self-appointed “Vacationland.” This year, it often was a time of stampeding clouds in blue skies over fall-colored landscapes and waters that reflected the days’ moods.
That’s not to say that there was no foul weather. However, there wasn’t much and it wasn’t enough to relieve the abnormally dry state of our fields, streams, and woods.
Nonetheless, the shaded light in the August woods sometimes was exquisite, especially when it found a hidden masterpiece.
Some fruits started appearing or ripening in August. The apples on the ancient “wild” apple trees got to an edible size for those who like very tart fruit. For those who like their fruit sweet and tangy, ripe wild blackberries first appeared in August.
The viburnum berries and highbush cranberries were plentiful and the rose hips on beach rose plants were just getting large enough to pick.
August wild flowers tend to be subdued, with many whites, yellows, and pastel colors. Below, you’ll see this month’s white Queen Anne’s lace with a few yellow tansy sprinkled in; a bluish aster; a white fragrant water lily; pinkish Joe Pye weed; goldenrod, and white daisy fleabane.
In the August gardens, things got more dramatic. Below, you’ll see a pink Japanese anemone, a yellow zinnia, and a red coleus.
As for wildlife, our beautiful (but too plentiful) resident white-tailed deer are always worthy of an August Postcard From Maine.
However, the creatures of major interest this month were some of those that will be migrating south soon or dying off. One is the youngest of three osprey fledglings that was born in June, but seemingly couldn’t fish in August, as her siblings were. She spent much of her time in the family’s otherwise empty nest loudly begging for food until her father came by and dropped a fish at her feet. What she’ll do when daddy migrates south in September is a chilling question.
Speaking of troubles, August was a good month to see monarch butterflies, a threatened species. They began the month as caterpillars and some of them started their migration to Mexico in mid-August.
The eastern black swallowtail butterflies also were quite active in August, but they will not survive the year. Their next generation of caterpillars will create chrysalises in which they’ll overwinter.
On the working waterfront, August was a mean month for our lobster fishermen (male and female). Low distributor prices combined with inflationary costs of operation drove many fishermen to reduce their operations significantly.
Some veteran fishermen quit the season altogether and brought their traps in for storage until next year. (Their season usually extends into December.)
On the other hand, August was a great month for sailing this year. The large windjammers that take tourists on multi-day cruises along the coast seemed especially active.
Angelique
Heritage
J&E Riggin
American Eagle
Victory Chimes
August’s winds often provided thrilling rides for sailors in smaller craft. Seeing them cut through the water on a fine summer’s day is an iconic August sight here.
August also was a time for reflection by Fiona, the catboat, and Ned Ludd, the Caledonia yawl:
Finally, there were times of excited expectation, including when the sun went down on the day before the Annual Eggemoggin Reach Regatta, which always occurs on the first weekend of August:
(All images in these Postcards were taken in Down East Maine during August 2022.)