Acadia and the Stars

Last week, I took a brief but extremely worthwhile trip into Acadia National Park.  The view from the top of Cadillac Mountain was spectacular, and there were even a few raptors moving along the ridge such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, and even a Peregrine Falcon.  I may have planned my trip to the park a little early for peak leaf coloration, but the trees that were already in flux highlighted the forest throughout the park.

These  "bubble rocks" at the far end of the lake in the photo above provide the beautiful view seen in the picture below.

 After hiking to the top of the "bubble rock," I ended up joining up with my co-worker Jess to watch the sunset before she reminded me that it was the Night Sky Festival in the park.  The park closed down Cadillac Mountain so that astronomers could set up their expensive telescopes and equipment to share with the public for an amazing event.  There were buses to take us to the top of the mountain where we could mill around among at least 50 telescopes and 70 astronomers, professional and amateur.  Each had their scopes set to some of their favorite formations and stars, all excitedly explaining how many light-years away the cluster, galaxy, or star was away.  It was really interesting to be shown the Andromeda Galaxy, which I learned is barely visible with the naked eye.  The Andromeda Galaxy is our closest neighboring galaxy.  It was a lot of fun to have experienced star gazers sharing their knowledge of the universe and their great equipment.  The park did a great job of setting up rangers who did constellation tours with powerful laser pointers, as well.  It turned out to be a perfectly clear night that illustrated how Acadia could be the only park east of the Mississippi River where the Milky Way Galaxy can be seen clearly (Though I would wager you could see it from within Great Smoky Mountains NP, since I know I have in the summer).  

The receiver tower at sunset, seen every morning on the walk to the banding area.

Red Eft

Porcupines are everywhere on the point.  We can hear them making their whiny calls at night, and frequently cross paths with more than one a day. 

Some kind of fuzzy caterpillar that appear to be similar to the "wooly buggers".  I'm unsure of the species.

 Above and below are a spring peeper that was found in one of our nests the other morning.  The "X" on the back identify this species.

Great-crested Flycatcher

Black-capped Chickadee

 Above and below are a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

 Above and below are a Savannah Sparrow

 We have also started to help with a Northern Saw-whet Owl banding effort at Petit Manan Point.  The late nights don't exactly line up with our early mornings, but how could you not want to try to see one of these up close?