One of my favorite spots on the central Maine coast is Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. Two trails lead you through meadows, spruce forest, a cedar bog, and rocky coast.
This Common Yellowthroat was playing hide-and-seek. In Oregon, I typically find this species in wetland habitats, but in Maine they are common in groves of small spruce.
The tide was out during my visit, so I did a little tidepooling. The crab was less than two inches wide. He was feeding on some sort of aquatic worm.
The best birds of the trip were two American Oystercatchers. This species is quite rare this far north.
Despite the distance, this bird’s bold pattern makes for an easy ID.
The exposed rocks were covered with barnacles and snails.
An American Redstart about to take off. This species does not like to sit still for me.
Of course, if there are lots of leaves between us, he will sit perfectly still. Jerk.
Ethical Birder 