https://www.waywardecologist.com/home daily 1.0 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/e9bc836a-d8d2-4b6a-b1be-b91a51ad38f1/6_Nina+Duggan_Sunset+Over+Dorr+Mountain+Acadia+National+Park.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/8cabf54d-b5f0-4c68-a007-c1b12d43c2d5/2025+Jeffersons+in+Hand+6.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/17171506-1db7-4ac0-807c-a80fb93f410a/DSC_4256-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/81b3fbf6-b110-4cfd-bea7-81ce4c56f6fe/26_Nina+Duggan_Common+Murres+Calling+in+Colony.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/098847cf-3c32-4e48-ab83-dc292fc2d15a/DSC_4880-DeNoiseAI-standard.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/09cc565c-07d3-4ffc-adec-19c7d9b3803f/19_Nina+Duggan_Brandt%27s+Cormorant+Dancing+on+Freshly+Built+Nest.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/6267ea1d-0e04-4bc0-b3e7-4b6142634796/2025+Wood+Frog+1.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b7cefe3d-dc33-4e86-98f5-39cce7c496b9/DSC_5323-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg HOME https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/53a1c82d-66fb-4516-8864-55992298ba5d/23_Nina+Duggan_Common+Murre+Among+Farallon+Weed.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/643ef3c7-a180-4d70-85a6-0ae659ce9ac5/DSC_3064-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/14640f17-2c3b-46b1-8f00-4072790b41df/nina+lichen.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/5f9aca68-023d-411d-bf80-d0d92d9cf62c/Peeper+Lens+Flare+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/e29609eb-de29-4173-9504-20dfc19c2dc5/NDuggan+RHAU.PNG https://www.waywardecologist.com/services daily 0.75 2025-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/964d7af3-b59f-4823-a57b-d5333d5f5db9/6_Nina+Duggan_Sunset+Over+Dorr+Mountain+Acadia+National+Park.jpg SERVICES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/53a1c82d-66fb-4516-8864-55992298ba5d/23_Nina+Duggan_Common+Murre+Among+Farallon+Weed.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/f9d08125-0fd7-45d8-b3b3-a58611a749bb/DSC_3064-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/14640f17-2c3b-46b1-8f00-4072790b41df/nina+lichen.jpg https://www.waywardecologist.com/about daily 0.75 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/26abb472-5063-4705-8cb9-70064bb624f1/IMG_8504.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/05737ce5-3e7d-450c-9d40-bdaf8a7313b5/nina+guillemot.jpg https://www.waywardecologist.com/contact daily 0.75 2024-01-05 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-page daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-p-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-p-1 daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/new-p-4 daily 0.75 2024-01-17 https://www.waywardecologist.com/nature-walk daily 0.75 2024-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/94a889fd-097e-4dde-96b8-0a3094a3569f/10_MARKETPLACE_SHOT_5_0862_02_QC.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/b0e76259-0a2d-4652-af34-d25143b6cd3c/02_CIRCLE_SHOT_3_0307_04_QC.jpeg https://www.waywardecologist.com/gallery daily 0.75 2025-12-02 https://www.waywardecologist.com/gallery/farallon-islands-nwr monthly 0.5 2025-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/87496924-84a8-4916-bd69-f1857fd1c22c/California+Gull+Calling+Over+Colony+in+Evening+Light.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) in flight, Southeast Farallon Island. Incredibly dedicated parents, gulls will enthusiastically guard their small nest plots from would be predators or invaders. In a colony of 20,000 of its kin, space is certainly at a premium. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/33c30b1a-3b23-49f9-885c-2be5852d6531/16_Nina+Duggan_California+Gulls+Courtship+Feeding.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) courtship feeding, reuniting with their lifelong mates on Southeast Farallon Island after a winter spent apart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/725e0894-f860-4252-aa0a-5558581d700c/17_Nina+Duggan_California+Gull+On+Nest.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR A Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) guards it’s eggs in a colony of thousands. If they survive, these chicks could live upwards of 25 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/112cf05a-8b38-4e8b-9962-a60d6a0d9300/18_Nina+Duggan_California+Gull+Chick+Napping+in+Old+Cinderblock.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR On my way to do some routine nest counts of cormorants, but I could not figure out for the life of me why an adult Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) was defending this cinder block so vigorously, that is until I took a closer look. This chick is making good use of the human presence on the island, having found a safe place to nap! . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b6f255b0-e6da-4752-a062-fb785f89fc84/DSC_1420-3-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) collecting material from the granite slopes. One of my favorite subjects, this beguiling Brandt’s Cormorant was collecting plant material to build its nest for the young on the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/45076dc4-9e13-4174-9cb1-921244c09645/19_Nina+Duggan_Brandt%27s+Cormorant+Dancing+on+Freshly+Built+Nest.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Male Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) displaying on freshly built nest In this species, the male will construct the nest at the beginning of the season out of any available plant matter, and then show off his dance moves to try and draw in a mate to their new summer home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/a277b1cb-c4b7-4df6-bf1d-bbd4455e9597/25_Nina+Duggan_Brandt%27s+Cormorant+Courtship+Dance.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) dancing together as they alternate incubating duties. Taking a look at the tender side of a seabird colony, Brandt’s Cormorants frequently engage in their courtship dances and preening on the nest site. There’s something remarkably prehistoric and graceful about the way these birds move. Both parents will incubate the eggs (a typical clutch of 3-6), and tend the chicks together once they hatch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/f1d77b89-b46a-4213-812e-67a3d2300c0f/20_Nina+Duggan_Farallon+Islands+Looking+Out+to+Sea.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Sun and surf over the nesting colony on the formidable Southeast Farallon Island, roughly 30-miles out to sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/7f0871e1-9d40-4eb7-a881-2c62656825f6/27_Nina+Duggan_Sunset+Over+Farallon+Island+Field+Station.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Sunset over the field station on Southeast Farallon Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/4c55db56-190e-4b14-bb07-7f5719eef198/24_Nina+Duggan_California+Sea+Lions+Nose+to+Nose.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR A tender nose boop by two California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) on Southeast Farallon. This highly intelligent ocean dwelling mammal feeds primarily on fish, shellfish and squid, topping off at swim speeds up to 25 mph in pursuit of its prey. Highly social, these animals have been known to live at least 30 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/79568f19-19db-4307-a301-d9d15a677d4a/DSC_1462-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR While sighting tags on Northern Elephant Seals (pictured in the back), I saw a group of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) making their way down to the water. Surprisingly agile even on land, they quickly made their way down to the rocky pools that served as the gateway to the open ocean. Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge serves as a haven for at least four species of pinniped, a dozen seabird species (who also raise their young on the island), whales in the surrounding waters, an odd arboreal salamander on an island with two trees it does not use, and an endemic species of cave cricket. In an era where the United States currently leads the charge in shrinking public lands, and loss of biodiversity is out of control, it is vitally important that places like these remain protected. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9d2cf1fb-187d-41e5-8675-07171633be47/DSC_1464-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Seabird and seal colonies are special places. During the breeding season entirely full of stimuli, constantly ringing with the vocalizations of their inhabitants, life and death in the same frame, and if you’re a human visitor the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of creatures are watching your movements. Continuing the series of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from Southeast Farallon, this curious fellow came over to have a look at me while I was sighting tagged Northern Elephant Seals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/8dc6f6a8-aa97-4fa9-8b82-166b709e09bb/23_Nina+Duggan_Common+Murre+Among+Farallon+Weed.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Common Murre (Uria aalge) among the Farallon Weed. At the beginning of the field season on the Farallons, when everything was green and the Farallon weed was in full bloom, I enjoyed watching the birds gather among the rocks by the hundreds of thousands at the top of an underwater mountain. Previously they had almost been removed from the islands because egg harvesting (or egging) was so heavy, as Murre eggs were highly sought after. Now it’s difficult to imagine the islands in summer without the clamor of Murre conversation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b9257559-7f5f-4b81-89d3-fc5589c70cc3/26_Nina+Duggan_Common+Murres+Calling+in+Colony.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Common Murres (Uria aalge) calling in the colony. Murres call nearly constantly in their colony of over 500,000, remaining in contact with one another. Packed in even more tightly than the gulls, these puffin relatives form a sea of black and white across the guano spattered rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/14ebd085-79ac-4d8a-bdcc-773da10928c6/DSC_1340-2-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Farallon Islands NWR Common Murre (Urea aalge) in the morning light on Southeast Farallon. https://www.waywardecologist.com/gallery/northeastern-united-states monthly 0.5 2025-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/964d7af3-b59f-4823-a57b-d5333d5f5db9/6_Nina+Duggan_Sunset+Over+Dorr+Mountain+Acadia+National+Park.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States An autumn sunset over Dorr Mountain in Acadia National Park, Maine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/50d0a506-3b9f-4b10-9078-e2e5c02016e8/DSC_8446-Enhanced-NR.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Dark winter skies over Acadia National Park make for excellent stargazing and stunning (if chilly) views of the Milky Way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/1704142820515-XZFF6LJILS5X1HTEORJH/4_Nina+Duggan_Fog+Bank+at+Alice+Eno+Field+Station.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Mists roll in over the Alice Eno Field Research Station and Great Duck Light off the coast of Maine. Great Duck Island is now predominantly a seabird nesting island, providing crucial habitat for many species. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9cce4987-edbf-4285-8f3c-56f96eefecfb/10_Nina+Duggan_Beaver+Dam+in+Winter+Colors.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Even during the winter beavers (Castor canadensis) are active beneath the ice, continuously repairing their lodges and dams with mud, branches, and other woody material. They survive through the harsher months by living off of a cache of plant material they store in their ample lodges, keeping warm by huddling together. They’ve even been known to welcome other occupants, reports showing that otters have been found sheltering in the dwellings with beaver families. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/dd484b04-f63d-429d-9ffc-834e5f08e9cc/DSC_1732-DeNoiseAI-standard.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum), a lily native to the Northeastern U.S. pokes up above the leaf litter in a shaded woodland. Once quite rare due to over harvesting, trillium take on average 7-10 years to reach blooming age. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/f6b60f3d-f8ea-4373-b429-31c7f6e94390/3_Nina+Duggan_Canada+Bunchberry+in+Bloom.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Canada Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) on Great Duck Island This low-growing plant will produce colorful bunches of red berries later in the season, a favorite of foragers in the Northeastern United States and Southern Canada. This bunch was concealing the intricate burrows of Leach's Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), crisscrossing the spruce roots across the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/3aa86964-0c6e-4cc5-bcf1-3c5b5acdb439/DSC_1889-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States A Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) on a chilly morning in Maine. This bird is named after the location in Georgia, where the first specimen was collected. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/18682e77-9176-4ba6-aa05-6b86181004e2/DSC_1007.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States A Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) collecting insects to bring back to its hungry young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/4a8a5c3b-37ce-45c2-b720-3e82058328a4/DSC_0133-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) preening itself between hunting attempts. Wading in a shallow pond, this Great Blue Heron spent tens of minutes in stillness while searching for prey. The largest herons in North America, these birds eat fish and other small vertebrates. The wetlands these birds call home aren’t just important for the herons, they provide critical habitat for a whole host of animal and plant life. In addition, wetlands help purify water, prevent flooding, store water, add nutrients into rivers, and help prevent erosion. Many such wetlands have already been drained for development, or are at risk of such an outcome, and need our voices to speak up for their protection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/ecdc7c35-dd36-4a9b-8f81-2a0558d8ac9d/Barred+Owl+Resting+in+Morning+Light.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States A Barred Owl (Strix varia) resting in the early morning light in a hemlock forest in Eastern Maine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/3a688f10-0089-4905-b259-d29b5dbb751c/DSC_1931-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States A baby Barred Owl (Strix varia) watching from its nest. This youngster was being closely guarded by its parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9a2e1d7a-366c-4899-83ff-d2d91fc415bb/DSC_0313-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States This female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), and many others like her, frequent fields of blooming Fireweed on across Northern New England. Stable sources of food are exceptionally important for these little beauties, to the point that they time their migrations with the bloom times of different flower species along their route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/d7873cce-c9bc-44de-98ec-bbf01988235e/DSC_1665.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) being chased out of the nesting colony by an adult Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) and an adult Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus). Protective parents, gulls will actively chase away even much larger predators from their vulnerable young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/885612e2-76d4-4484-ac17-c72a0fff5a10/Atlantic+Puffin+Appraoching+Nest+Between+Waves.jpg GALLERY - Northeastern United States An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) curising into the nesting colony in front of large swell off of coastal Maine. https://www.waywardecologist.com/gallery/macro-invertebrates monthly 0.5 2025-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/a289c725-a691-4022-b8a2-140008769dc5/DSC_5470-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/69434556-a663-4b6b-8a9c-8f8109a90a36/DSC_5323-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/75d43a0d-9135-4680-95f9-3218e78968bb/DSC_5683-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/84c72dc3-1235-47ec-aa57-b9d7ebd717f9/DSC_5822-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/199b5f05-f52a-4757-8651-3d85e7c10a37/DSC_5697-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/c5e00f59-6530-42dd-9cf1-d02f1110ee39/DSC_4880-DeNoiseAI-standard.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/441a729c-a800-48bc-935e-90c44398b73a/DSC_5987-DeNoiseAI-standard.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/0588a76e-fa9a-4e77-b673-35f1e78f26dd/DSC_5782-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/c15dd51d-daf3-46c1-b7a1-e51d37916b16/8_Nina+Duggan_Daddy+Long+Legs+Among+Goldenrod.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/cd6c4678-95d0-4b71-854d-724363f9a70f/9_Nina+Duggan_Crab+Spider+Hunting+in+Joe-Pye+Weed.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/03a707d8-0c39-43d8-a779-24caa23caff2/DSC_5574-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg GALLERY - Macro Invertebrates https://www.waywardecologist.com/conservation-stories daily 0.75 2026-02-22 https://www.waywardecologist.com/conservation-stories/the-proposed-wolfden-zince-mine monthly 0.5 2026-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b0048b49-b60d-4cfc-8916-4d8b2460f657/Pickett+Mountain+Pond+Stream+Motion+Blur.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine This is the stream that leads directly out of the mine site itself at Pickett Mountain Pond. The yellow and black striped sign indicates snow mobile crossings in winter, highlighting how much this area is used during the winter season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9a1d4d63-a91c-4023-abd7-72b05900c805/State+Heritage+Fishing+Waters+Sign+Above+Grass+Pond.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine A sign delineates State Heritage Fish Waters for Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Grass Pond. This area is critically important habitat for several different species, including Landlocked Salmon (Salmo salar sebago) and endangered Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), but is particularly important to Brook Trout. Maine is the only state in the lower 48 with extensive wild Brook Trout populations (non-stocked), and this area in particular is very important habitat for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b97ba98c-8784-4a47-91cd-8aa1ae9520bb/Kristian+Keefe+Fly+Fishing+at+Shin+Brook+Falls.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine One of the local guides fly fishing at his favorite spot near Shin Brook Falls, a few miles West of Pickett Mountain and the proposed mine site. He fishes the area nearly every evening, catching copious amounts of Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/aacf8a52-f2bd-48b5-9904-686250153949/36_Nina+Duggan_Landlocked+Salmon+on+Lure.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine A landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar sebago) on the fly fishing lure. One of the most popular species of fish to catch, this juvenile Landlocked Salmon is a subspecies of Atlantic Salmon that has been cut off from the sea. The mine impacted waters are important habitat for these fish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/783c3512-2409-4209-b140-7d953ce2b312/DSC_7022-Enhanced-NR.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine An angler brings in a fish on a line in clear, clean waters near the mine site. The river appears dark from all of the tannins in the plants that grow in thick healthy stands on its shores. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/8cc8f811-67aa-48ff-9dd4-daf8d6516108/Up+Close+Fly+Fishing+Flies.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine An array of fly fishing lures at a local shop in the nearby town of Patten, within view of Pickett Mountain. Fly fishing represents a significant part of local income in the remote area through tours, lodges, guiding, bait and tackle sales, and more. Without the nearby healthy waters, the local economy would be heavily dependent on the mine, and would be left high and dry after the mine departed in 3-5 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/d6d8613e-db6a-4d2f-ab7d-a323b62bf0b5/Shin+Brook+Falls+at+Dusk.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Shin Falls, or Shin Brook Falls, a well-loved waterfall throughout New England. At over 30 feet tall with beautiful cascades, home to many native fish species. The waterfall sits just a few miles west of the proposed mine site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/ddbbc2c5-81c5-4c13-9ee4-abfeb56442f7/West+Branch+Mattawamkeag+Above+Pleasant+Lake.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine The West Branch Mattawamkeag stream above Pleasant Lake. This river is on the proposed mine site, and is critical habitat for Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and spawning habitat for Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). While photographing this stream, I had to continuously sidestep large piles of moose and bear scat, highlighting the areas abundant wildlife. If the mine is built, this river would carry heavy metals and sulfuric acid from the mine runoff to the Penobscot River, a major river that runs most of the length of the state. This would not only make this area uninhabitable for wildlife and toxic for people, but pollute one of the state's most important waterways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/fad67fca-700a-4433-8b7b-1e108605a0eb/37_Nina+Duggan_Pickett+Mountain+from+Grass+Pond.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Pickett Mountain as viewed from Grass Pond through a stand of Northern White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis). Grass Pond is another important spawning site for Brook Trout, and had copious amounts of moose sign. While shooting, we heard Osprey, and saw loons and other waterfowl on the pond itself. If the mine is built, this pond would be polluted with the mine's runoff and become uninhabitable for wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/3098cae3-e0b3-44ca-bf83-1128081460dc/Pair+of+Female+Wood+Ducks+in+Impacted+Wetland.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine A pair of female Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa), seen in the early morning light floating down waterways that would be impacted by the mine's construction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/c377b8ab-c9b9-4bef-8f4b-4753c36cb702/Pitcher+Plants+on+Grass+Pond+Shore.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Northern Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia purpurea), a carnivorous plant native to Maine, growing in Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum sp.) on the proposed mine site. The Wolfden mine would make this landscape uninhabitable for most plant life, including these unique and sensitive plants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/d8a32089-6812-4656-b9d4-4d4ab99e58f1/Wood+Sorrell+and+Goldenthread+on+Grass+Pond+Shore.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Wood Sorrel (Oxalis sp.) and Gold Thread (Coptis trifolia) growing amongst mushrooms and moss on the proposed mine site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/45c504a0-ac65-4631-ab7d-9e454511fbd9/40_Nina+Duggan_Ramaria+Coral+Mushroom.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Ramaria Coral Mushroom (Ramaria sp.) growing in the leaf litter of an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) in the woods of the proposed mine site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/80c16b6c-5f78-4399-8ef9-2f3e322f640e/39_Nina+Duggan_Mushrooms+on+Game+Trail+on+Grass+Pond+Shore.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Bright red mushrooms growing along a game trail in the thick woods surrounding Grass Pond. If the mine were to be constructed, Grass Pond is one of the bodies of water that would be entirely polluted by the mine's runoff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/0adadc25-d13a-4971-91da-380d38c58296/West+Branch+Mattawamkeag+above+Grass+Pond.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine The West Branch Mattawamkeag above Grass Pond on proposed mine site. Once again depicting crucial habitat for native fishes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/ec4f3919-38b7-4079-868e-7cd79dd4bbb3/Pickett+Mountain+Pond+Stream+Through+Hobblebush.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Pickett Mountain Pond Stream with some striking foliage in fall colors, the included foliage are a handful of iconic species of the region. Especially the red and green, which is Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides), a favorite browse of moose and deer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b4ca4fb8-958c-4b35-9931-5055210ac358/Road+to+Pickett+Mountain+in+Fall+Colors.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine The road to Pickett Mountain at midday in fall colors. This is where the mine proper would be, destroying the mountain in view as well as the surrounding landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/60c21bbe-7923-40c6-800a-caab7070f94f/Pickett+Mountain+Over+Impacted+Wetland.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Looking out over the wetlands surrounding Pickett Mountain. The waters impacted by the proposed mine at Pickett Mountain are important habitat for fish, moose, lynx, waterfowl, and wading birds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/850e0dd8-a011-439a-9833-c22042c566af/Pickett+Mountain+in+Fall+Colors+at+Dusk.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Pickett Mountain at dusk in fall colors. Looking from the access road to the mine site itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/e482ecfc-2dcd-4521-bb50-ba600e37e8f9/38_Nina+Duggan_Milky+Way+Over+Pickett+Mountain.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine The Milky Way over Pickett Mountain as viewed from proposed mine site. This region has some of the darkest skies visible in the Northeastern United States. The light pollution from the mine would not only be disruptive to wildlife and local residents, but also damage the ability to see the night sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9fdc9d1d-9034-40bb-afef-19740bcdebb3/DSC_7630-Enhanced-NR.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Pickett Mountain Overlooking Patten. The mountain centered in the shot is Pickett Mountain, where the proposed mine would be. The town below, Patten, is one of the largest towns in the area with a population of 988 people. Patten is also home to Wolfden Resource's current office. The gas station sign pictured on the left is the town's only gas station, doubling as a diner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/9b1b7fa9-2aaf-4b88-8d90-beb45980001c/Mary+Alice+on+Front+Porch.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine One of the locals spearheading the efforts against Wolfden Mine's construction, spends a morning on her porch as we interview her. She told us the stories of Wolfden's efforts to win the public over to the mine's construction, with unfounded promises of jobs, "the most advanced water filtration available", and returning the land to the town after it has been mined. The returned land would not be safe for recreation or habitation due to pollutants from the mine's processes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/1cc98883-0bcb-4ac8-9ff6-f8ed8086b8a2/Katahdin+as+Viewed+from+Patten.jpg STORIES - The Proposed Wolfden Zinc Mine Katahdin as viewed from Patten on a cool autumn day. Patten and the mine site are just outside of the newly designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which is currently being considered for designation as a National Park. The stretch of forest that the mine site is a part of represents the largest remaining stretch of contiguous forest east of the Mississippi. https://www.waywardecologist.com/conservation-stories/eagles-make-a-comeback-seabirds-see-decline monthly 0.5 2025-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/1703884795106-YCCHRKDIIMRT75LKPE51/DSC_1665.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline In an impressive aerial display, these gull parents chase an adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) out of the nesting colony. Roughly 800 gull nests exist on the southern end of Great Duck Island, 12 miles off the coast of Maine. Monitored closely by the College of the Atlantic’s Alice Eno Research Station, this island is vital habitat for many of the North Atlantic’s iconic species. Home to Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Great black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus), these birds come back every summer to mate and raise young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/06d13f85-73c5-46fd-84d5-fd1fd3419843/Bald+Eagle+in+Flight+5+%28Acopian+Center%29-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline An adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) soars over a late winter wooded landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/25d70bb1-38d0-48ed-84b4-c8ec90ee60a8/DSC_0335-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline An adult Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) chases a fledgling off of its territory on the nesting grounds, inadvertently pursuing the youngster through several other territories to the screams of other adult birds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/e087a971-ec39-4902-acfe-16f34991d396/DSC_0747-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline Common Eiders ( Somateria mollissima) nest together on these shores as well. Maine's largest sea duck, these social birds form groups where they will raft together with all of their young. Upon seeing Bald Eagles, the mother's give an alarm cry, prompting all birds to dive under the water's surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/680e9a9d-2c1e-416b-819d-7e6fc7af0221/DSC_0453-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline Already formidable in its own right, a first year Bald Eagle soars on fresh wings over the nesting colony. It will take this juvenile 5 years to develop the namesake white head and tail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/934bcf62-09d4-4260-8d33-b4e2bdcf5dd3/DSC_5292-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline Mating for life, Bald Eagles form a strong bond that can last 20 years or more in the wild. This sequence of photos was one mate bringing it cormorant catch over to its spouse after prompting a fight from refusing to share. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/3b28f420-6648-4ac4-8e4f-c284c39436b9/DSC_5293-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg STORIES - Eagles Make a Comeback, Seabirds See Decline Even our largest raptor can wind up in the doghouse with its partner... https://www.waywardecologist.com/conservation-stories/coas-islands-great-duck-island monthly 0.5 2025-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/823fe7ca-71eb-4053-957c-692cff9f06e9/Fog+Bank+at+Alice+Eno+Field+Station.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island Great Duck Island Light visible through a thick fog that descended over the island in the early summer months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/e2681d71-79fc-4b6e-83ac-2e486777b405/DSC_0904.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island Constructed during the whaling days, this shack hewn of rough pink granite now serves as equal parts storage for research equipment, substrate for colorful lichen, and perch for nesting seabirds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/2338af9f-92ea-4448-8c19-c6fbc2492425/DSC_1420-2.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island Fiercely protective of their young, this adult Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) watches the researches from the lighthouse roof as they count the young chicks in the nests below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/b92062fb-84d9-4f3d-a2d1-de1feeca3bb2/DSC_0341-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island The Alice Eno Field Research Station, one of the field sites belonging to the College of the Atlantic, sits nestled among the fog and fields that house thousands of nesting seabirds off the coast of Maine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/0dc964a8-3e46-4ef8-a7d4-40af081c73d8/DSC_0111-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island As colorful as any Easter egg, this Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) egg is being tallied among a breeding survey being done to help determine the health of the birds' populations on the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/654d8fdbea5ed7316abc1e3d/4bb3ae46-aac9-41d1-a943-b7f172dcd437/DSC_1562-DeNoiseAI-clear.jpg STORIES - COA's Islands: Great Duck Island Cruising in among the surf, this Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is taking advantage of the copious amounts of sea life living in the intertidal to stock up during the abundant summer months.