A parting image of Maine as I head back to Massachusetts for a soccer match at Easton. The heat was brutal and the field was terrible. No one played well, but we managed to come away with a 1-0 win secured by a goal in the last 10 minutes.

Birds and the bees ….. minus the bees.

A solitary Sandpiper out for his breakfast stroll.

Here we paddle past a fine Double-Crested Cormorant drying its wings.

Later in the day, Jeanine, Maya and I kayaked out to a small island about 1 mile off shore. We were treated to dozens of seals popping their heads up and splashing around the kayak. Here is a pup checking us out from his perch on the rocky beach.

And here is the catch. Yum yum.

Here is the plunge. This one is rare because he had just flown to this location and his wings were still spread. Usually they strike with their wings folded.

I spent more than an hour early this morning following this Great Egret as he enjoyed breakfast on the marsh. These birds are simply amazing. This one could catch a fish every five minutes and his miss rate was zero.

Kyle and Seth team up to launch a kite on the beach.

Maya and Maddison won the sand castle building contest with their “kitty” castle.

Nicolai does some birding of his own.

My little sand piper.

Jeanine seems to be happiest when preparing food for hundreds of people. Here she is getting started on a wonderful meat sauce.

Kyle and his buddy Seth relaxing on the porch.