December was the best and worst of months this year. It had unseasonably warm weather at times when the bluest of skies blended into the waters of Blue Hill Bay; inveterate rowers raced across mirrored coves, and “cold-water-dippers” towed their mobile saunas to harbors, where they took a dip in 39° (F) water, then overheated in their steamy contraptions, then cooled down in outside temperatures in the 40s:
But there also were more gray days than bright ones. Some were intriguing frigid days when a cloud-veiled sun created a glitter path on forming sea ice in coves and bays. There also were warm thaws with spring-like rain, heavy fogs, and record-breaking storms that flooded basements, destroyed electrical power for days, and caused abnormally high tides.
And, of course, there was a significant snowstorm, which turned out to be the most beautiful snow that we had all year. It coated the trees, including the Town of Brooklin’s lobster trap tree in front of the Town Hall that was conceived and built by residents this year.
After the storm, we had a lovely period of sunshine and cold that preserved the pristine white land blanket for a few days until the next thaw:
The wildlife appeared to have no problems in December. The resident white-tailed deer were well-protected by their insulated winter coats; Canada geese were still migrating south out of Maine during the month, while cold- and water-resistant bufflehead ducks were arriving from Canada and frolicking in our waters:
Apparently due to the unseasonable warm spells, many winterberry bushes were lush with red fruit all month and even some mushrooms appeared:
On the working waterfront, many of our lobster fishing vessels were fitted with masts and booms to “drag” for Atlantic scallops with dredges; other vessels were equipped with cold weather huts and used as platforms for divers to “hand-fish” for green sea urchins. As for recreational vessels, most of them were hibernating in their winter shelters.
Of course, December is the holiday season for Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Around here, choral music is popular during the month, especially performances of the Bagaduce Chorale:
Wreathes and holiday lights decorate the Brooklin General Store and many other structures during December and poinsettias and other tropical flowers are sold locally as popular decorations for the season. As mentioned, this year residents created a beautiful lobster trap holiday tree that I used to illustrate a holiday card.
Finally, December is the month when we begin to get our most spectacular winter sunsets and afterglows, which this year included a crescent waxing moon:
(All images in this post were taken in Down East Maine during December of 2023.)