fall

Change in the weather

donkleiner — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:37:49 -0500

Today is the day that marks the change from fall to winter. It usually arrives right around Thanksgiving here on the Maine coast. Yesterday was warm and windy with plenty of rain. Argy and I went to Bar Harbor to help Noah get the first coat of epoxy resin on his strip built canoe. On our return trip the wind had shifted into the west and was blowing sharply. As the air dried out the temperature dropped. Snow showers are forecast for the next day or so.

Red Sky in Morning!

donkleiner — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:36:50 -0500

One of the great things about living where we can see an expanse of sky is that some mornings the day’s weather is clearly spelled out for me. One morning last month I looked out at this sunrise from the front deck and it is very clear that we are in for a day of rain. As the old rhyme goes red sky in morning old guide take warning.

Perfect Fall Day

donkleiner — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:40:14 -0400

Yesterday was the most perfect fall day that I can remember. Except for a breeze in the morning it was clear and cool. I noticed that there was not a cloud in the sky anywhere on the horizon. I took my clients to the top of Clary Hill to take in the view and the White Mountains were clearly visible in the distance as well as Mount Blue and the group around Sugarloaf, all of them standing out bright white against a perfect blue sky. The snow of early this week showing very plainly at the higher elevations.

A week in the North Woods

donkleiner — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:21:24 -0400

The leaves are mostly gone in Northern Maine and the woods have taken on that russet color of late fall. Yesterday the frost did not melt off until nearly noon and I saw some ice in a puddle that was still there in the shade at two in the afternoon. I spent last week at Libby Camps guiding grouse hunters. The week was a load of fun with some great folks, good dog work and of course interesting wildlife sightings.

Fall at its Peak

donkleiner — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:11:47 -0400

This weekend is without a doubt the peak fall foliage in the mid coast. I arrived back in Union after a week at Libby Camps guiding grouse hunters during the night and woke up to this outstanding view off of our deck.

Early October Fishing

donkleiner — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:19:46 -0400

The rain from Hurricane Kyle did not hit us as hard as expected but we still had enough water to raise the rivers lakes and ponds pretty significantly. The river is not at flood stage but definitely bank full. No wading for trout this week anyway. I have guided a few parties getting in one last fishing trip before winter this week and have one more before I switch over to grouse hunting for the rest of the month.

Fall Foliage Report

donkleiner — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:22:33 -0400

As fall progresses the amount of color in the leaves changes almost daily and peak foliage is a fleeting moment at best. Over the last week the color has come steadily and we have gone from a red tree here and there to maybe a quarter of the trees in bright color. This picture was taken at the beginning of the week from the boat launch on Seven Tree pond in Union.

The best time of year!

donkleiner — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:54:45 -0400

I think that September is without a doubt the best time of the year. The weather is settled and warm during the day with cool nights. This morning I took advantage of a day off and went fishing. No big expedition just an hour on Seven Tree Pond to try and catch a few perch on a fly. I have been trying all summer to find the fly that really works on perch without much luck. Because it was still and sunny I could watch the fish even if they did not take the fly making ideal conditions to see what they were interested in.

The End of Summer

donkleiner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:49:26 -0400

The weather has definitely changed now, the wind is blowing pretty strongly out of the northwest and the angle of the sun is getting low in the sky. I can tell because it gets hard to see down into the water making my job just a little more difficult. The sky is that crystal clear blue that we get in clear cool air. The crickets are chirping steadily in the warm afternoons and getting in the house at every opportunity.

Nicholas goes to France

donkleiner — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:15:28 -0400

Our youngest son Nicholas left yesterday to study in Rennes France for four months. It was very sad to see him go but at the same time a proud moment to see him able to go. Packing the night before was a project that involved the entire family. I’m sure that he has too much of some things and nowhere near enough of others but he is packed and off on the adventure of his young life. If you are interested he is writing a blog here he is planning to keep us all filled in as his trip progresses over the fall.