Day 19.184: Vigil

There was a tragic killing in our neighboring town today. More will be revealed about what happened and how it might have been avoided later, but today we joined with our neighbors to let them know they are not alone and to join our voices with others that support rather than seek to frighten or threaten them. 

Day 18.109: Broad-winged hawks

The broad-winged hawks seem to have moved back into the neighborhood. Someone from the family has seen them each day and we've had several more significant encounters.

Yesterday, we heard the distinctive whistle but when I looked out, instead of seeing a compact hawk fly out of the trees, it was this rather larger raptor:

Turkey vulture

But soon we saw both the broad-winged hawks too. It wasn't really clear if the vultures and hawks were interacting in any way - maybe it was just a coincidence.

Broad-winged hawk in flight and sitting on the nest in the crook of a tall pine tree

This evening, we saw the two hawks being mobbed by a crow so not all the neighbors are as happy they are here as we are. 

Day 17.105: Frisky hawks

The other night I was trying to work out if the two hawks we could see moving around from tree to tree were both broad-winged hawks:

when, while I was watching this one:

She called out to the other one and then this happened:

So I guess that answers that question. 

The following evening there were at least three - with two of them (presumably two males) doing an extravagant aerial battle through the trees. It’s all go around here. 

Day 17.103: The new neighbors

As Exile #2 mentioned yesterday, there has been some excitement about the new hawk arrival - both among Exiles and the local wildlife (crows and small mammals both taking a particular interest).

The broad-winged hawk has been relatively generous with perching in photograph friendly locations.

Its apparent nest-building activity (despite being rather early in the season according to Vickery) made us wonder if we were actually seeing two hawks and this evening we saw two at the same time, so indeed it seems likely we have new neighbors moving in and probably can expect more drama to come.

Day 17.085: Storm damage

The storm arrived and - for once - seemed less bad than it was. Our first snow clearance shift just after breakfast showed how deceptive appearances could be. It might have only been a couple of inches of depth at that point, but it weighed maybe three times as much as that much dry snow.

The snow stuck to everything - making for some fairly impressive sights.

Unfortunately, combined with heavy winds, this was a problem for trees (one crashed down in our next-door neighbor's backyard narrowly missing the house) and cables. This telephone cable was - temporarily - draped low over the road and a car outside the house across the street from us (E5N1 saw it come down and alerted us). I helped that neighbor get it back to a more sustainable height and diverted a delivery truck who might have caused a worse problem before it was properly re-fixed.

Fortunately, in common with only about half the people of Maine and less than that in this part of the state, we did not lose power and our generator sat idly in its ready-to-go position because I suspected we would need it.

I worked from home (our office has lost internet or power or both) and there was no school and no musical performance today. There is no school tomorrow either, but they are expecting to put the show on tomorrow evening.

Day 17.070: Tree trouble?

There have been some challenges for our comings and goings from our house for the last couple of days due a long line of vehicles half - or at times - fully blocking the street. They have been at our neighbor’s house taking some trees down. I suppose like the roofs in our neighborhood, the trees are also “of a certain age” and causing trouble at times, but I’ll never not be sad to see them go. 

Day 17.030: Local drama

Our little town was in the news today - somebody who was shot in one moving car from another, a crash involving a low-speed impact with a school bus and a hunt for people fleeing from the scene - potentially armed.  Not what we expect in our quiet little corner of the world. 

I saw some of the mess at lunchtime. 

All this happened sufficiently close to E5N1’s school that they were in varying levels of lock-down all afternoon until they could be escorted out with the help of the police. Fortunately, no more than a worry and an inconvenience - to us at least - in the end. 

Day 17.016: Stealing from the neighbors

It was Exile #2 and what she stole was a view of a bird feeder visitor - a pileated woodpecker looking rather large hanging off the suet block at the house across the road. 

Day 16.292: Exile #2's Sunday Column #456

Exile #2 writes...

Maine is a small place and so, inevitably we have discovered friends with connections to those caught up in the events of the week. Having made Maine our home, we have the same kind of affection for the community here that the late night host Stephen Colbert expressed:

"And there are very few people like Mainers. I know Mainers. I love Mainers. They’re strong people. They’ve got Moxie - literally, it’s the name of their official state soft drink. It tastes like carbonated cough syrup but they drink it anyway, ‘cause Mainers are tough. These are people whose idea of a beach is a collection of jagged rocks near freezing water. Their state flower, the Maine state flower - and this is true - is a frickin’ pine cone."

Mainers are tough but also kind. Sometimes they might seem brusque or terse but they are always ready to lend a hand and they work really hard. It’s going to take a lot of those qualities to get Lewiston through this time. Meanwhile, we’ll keep hoping and working for change.

A little bright light at the end of a hard week, however, was the news that we have a new family member. We are all very excited and look forward to meeting him one of these days. Welcome, little one!

Day 16.289: A strange day

I didn't realize when I wrote the post yesterday about the tragedy that had recently unfolded in nearby Lewiston. Today, schools and supermarkets closed their doors and all manner of events were canceled, partly out of respect, partly out of caution as the suspect remained at large.

I went into the office on very quiet roads, but wondered all day what I would do if I found that our area was not under a "shelter in place" order or advisory. With no real change in the situation, we're not sure what the next days will bring, but it won't stop the birds coming to the feeders.

Day 16.229: Exile #2's Sunday Column #448

Exile #2 writes...

Although school starts next week, there are still plenty of vacationers around. We popped down to the beach to find the parking lots still pretty full, even by mid afternoon. We spotted a space, though, and were about to swing into it when we noticed the passenger door was open. We decided to wait as the family seemed to be packing up. Only then did we notice that someone was standing behind the door, trying to change discreetly out of their bathing suit. Realizing we were waiting, he reached out to close the door, but thankfully, for all of our sakes, thought better of it! We were happy to wait.

We walked all the way down the beach and off into the little harbor community at the mouth of the river, where we chatted with a local gentleman who, we suspect, was sitting in a favorite spot watching the boats come and go. He told us how he used to go out fishing without worrying about what he was allowed to bring back. It’s not the case anymore, apparently. There are complicated rules about the number, type and size of fish allowed, and those who enforce the rules are known to make regular spot checks. I’m glad that someone is making sure fishing is sustainably done but I can see how the changes might make someone a little wistful.

One of the boats that came in at Camp Ellis while we were talking

Day 16.208: Exile #2's Sunday Column #445

Exile #2 writes...

We started the day with a refreshing walk on the beach and ended it playing games with our neighbors, so it was a fun day all round. We had had to postpone getting together twice over the last couple of weeks, so we were delighted to finally be able to meet up before the two Exile #4-aged members of the group disappear back to college.

I remembered to take a picture but only after all 8 occupants of these seats had left them

Day 14.196: Exile #2's Sunday Column #354

Exile #2 writes...

Today was a typical post vacation recovery day. Everyone was slightly sleepy, we eked out the remains of last night’s take out with whatever we could find in the house, and kept the washing machine working hard. It is nice to be home but, and I’m sure we’ll make it to the beach soon to remind ourselves why we like it here, but we’re already missing the mountains!

In other news, our neighbors very kindly watered our yard while we were away so our newly installed plants survived the heat and. and we came home to some delicious, ripe tomatoes.

Day 14.112: Exile #2's Sunday Column #344

Exile #2 writes...

It’s been a fairly productive weekend of getting this and that done. The weather has mostly been lovely, which has helped us along. We’ve enjoyed the odd peep of our neighbor’s new German shepherd puppy, who already seems like quite a character - he has a nice line in melodramatic stage falls when he doesn’t want to walk - and we even fitted in a movie and a beach walk.

Meanwhile, it was Exile #4’s turn to go and party! Much needed relaxation, as the next couple of weeks are exam packed.

Day 13.333: Snowy (night) lights

Exile #2 and I had a short walk yesterday evening and enjoyed the lights in the dark snowy neighborhood.

Day 13.177: Exile #2's Sunday Column #303

Exile #2 writes...

Exile #1 and I managed a quick dash around the block this morning before the day got going. Since then, he’s been busy swapping between his various hats, while the rest of us, overcome by the heavy, overcast weather have been struggling to stay awake.

Exile #3 kept us entertained this afternoon by continuing to guide us through a game of Dungeons and Dragons.

Meanwhile, we are keeping our eyes on the yard. Apart from the many things we’ve been seeing lately, rumor has it a bear and her cubs has been spotted wandering along the edge of our yards . Yikes!

Day 13.024: The local canids

One of our neighbors let us know that a coyote has been spotted in the area. Coyotes are not usually dangerous to humans (even children), but definitely are a threat to pets. We haven't seen it and I'm not really expecting to, but here is a reminder of when we had one of its more acceptable cousins visiting - a fox cub back on Day 10.157 - and I did happen to both see it and get some evidence.

Day 12.326: Home to snow

When we left home, it was still leaf-raking season. Not so on our return.

After a drive through heavy traffic in the cold early morning hours and an airport experience that was a bit more rushed than is our habit (we still had plenty of time!) we left London in the morning mist:

We saw snow as we flew over northern Maine:

but arrived to a rainy Boston - no need to work out how to dig the car out of snow happily.

The weather got colder and snowier rapidly as we drove north, but one of our neighbors had cleared our driveway so we were very grateful for that:

The snow continues and by the time we are heading to bed, the schools have already called a snow-day for tomorrow as the snow is expected to continue falling for most of the day.

Day 12.214: The boys of the neighborhood...

...are out playing together:

It's not exactly what we had in mind when we sent them to play outside.

Day 12.080: Exile #2's Sunday Column #243

Exile #2 writes...

Exile #3 has been adding to her animal care experience this weekend by feeding our neighbors cats. They are two big black cats from the same litter. Both are a little reticent. In fact, one of them made sure to hide whenever Exile #3 entered the house. The other, although also shy, soon got over his shyness when he realized Exile #3 was the person who would be providing the food this weekend. He is quite enthusiastic about his food, to the extent that the other cat’s food has to be placed up high so that he won’t eat it along with his own (he’s not capable of climbing up, also thanks to his enthusiasm about food). Today, however, he also showed enthusiasm for his new human friend, and didn’t want to let her go. She was quite sad to be done with the job too!

Although we have not been celebrating here, Happy Mother’s Day to our Mums and all the UK mums we know.