Looking Out to Saco Bay from Camp Ellis, Maine

On April 15, 2024, Vera and I went out to revisit Camp Ellis in York County. Camp Ellis is a small fishing community that in the summer doubles as a quiet beachfront vacation spot. It is the last stop going south on the seven-mile-long sandy beach that features the very noisy town of Old Orchard Beach.

Camp Ellis has suffered extreme erosion of its beach and of the village itself as a result of the jetty that protects the north side of the Saco River channel. I found it too sad to take pictures of the eroded and storm-damaged community itself, but I enjoyed taking shots looking out from the pier at the mouth of the Saco River and looking out into Saco Bay from the start of the jetty.

Looking across the mouth of the Saco River from the Camp Ellis pier towards Hills Beach and the South Jetty, with Biddeford Pool beyond.

Looking out the mouth of the Saco River from the Camp Ellis pier between the North and South jetties.

Looking out the mouth of the Saco River from the Camp Ellis pier with the North Jetty on the left.

Looking out to the Gulf of Maine from the start of the North Jetty in Camp Ellis, Maine.

Looking out the jetty at Camp Ellis, Maine. Saco Bay is on the left of the jetty. The Saco River on the right.

A Brief Walk up Trout Brook from Mill Cove

The last short segment of Trout Brook is also known as Mill Creek and sometimes Kimball Brook. This segment flows through Mill Creek Park, under Cottage Road, and empties into Mill Cove along the Fore River between Knightville and Ferry Village in South Portland, Maine.

Mill Cove. The line of birds are in the channel from Trout Brook (Mill Creek), which enters on the far right.

Trout Brook (Mill Creek) as it enters Mill Cove.

The mouth of Trout Brook (Mill Creek) from its bridge at Cottage Road.

Looking up Trout Brook from its bridge at Cottage Road.

Ducks on Trout Brook.

Looking down Trout Brook with the Greenbelt Walkway on the right.

Looking up stream to where Trout Brook enters Mill Creek Park.

Looking back from where Trout Brook enters Mill Creek Park from under Broadway. The Greenbelt Walkway is on the right.

A Walk Around Hannaford at Mill Cove

I took these shots as part of two different walks on October 19 and 27 at Mill Creek (Knightville) in South Portland, Maine. Mill Cove is on the South Portland side of the Fore River where the river itself opens up into Casco Bay.

Looking back along the little walking trail that leads to the Mill Cove Boardwalk around Hannaford.

Walking around the front of Hannaford.

Going up through the Hannaford parking lot.

The little cove between Knightville (Mill Creek) and Ferry Village, as seen from the Mill Cove Boardwalk.

Portland Harbor as viewed from the Mill Cove Boardwalk around the back of Hannaford.

Portland Harbor (Maine) as viewed by a seagull gliding in to join the flock. (Actually I did it because I wanted to include more of the branch.)

Bug Light Park, South Portland, Maine

These photos were taken late in the afternoon on October 14th, with mostly cloudy and rather moody skies. The walk was along the shore of Casco Bay between Bug Light and Spring Point Ledge Light.

A view of Portland Harbor, Maine, from Bug Light Park.

An incoming ferry joins the scene.

A mixture of distant shore line and islands on the horizon looking across Casco Bay.

A view across Casco Bay. Fort Gorges behind the sailboats. Spring Point Ledge Light near the right edge. I think Little Diamond, Great Diamond, and Peaks Islands in the middle distance. And the Wyman Power Station on Cousins Island at the middle of the horizon.

The Portland Pipeline pier intruding into Casco Bay.

This shot of the Spring Point Ledge Light was taken from outside Bug Light Park since I had to get around the Portland Pipeline pier, which blocks the view.

Three Photos along Waterman Drive

These three shots were taken walking along Waterman Drive in South Portland, Maine. They are facing toward Thomas Knight Park with the Casco Bay Bridge on the left.

Waterman Drive with Legere Park on the right.

100 Waterman Drive on the right.

Waterman Drive with Casco Bay Bridge on the left.

Architectural Contrast at Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine

On the opposite corners of the southeast side of Broadway and Cottage Road are the South Portland Library and Holy Cross church and school. I think they suggest very different aspects of South Portland culture. I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

Front view of the South Portland Library.

Back view of the South Portland, Maine. library.

Holy Cross Catholic church.

Tower of Holy Cross Catholic church.

Six Photos of a Duck Pond

These photographs were taken October 14, 2023, at Mill Creek Park in South Portland, Maine.

The waterlily end of the duck pond at Mill Creek Park.

The waterlily end of the duck pond seen through a tree and shadows.

The waterlily end of the duck pond seen from under a tree with shadows.

The middle of the duck pond seen with a shelter in background.

A duck crossing the open end of the duck pond at Mill Creek Park in South Portland, Maine.

Ducks foraging at the duck pond.

Seven Photos from Knightville, Maine

These photos were taken on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Knightville is a former village that is now a community in the city of South Portland, Maine. Except for this view of the downtown, these shots are taken of or from Thomas Knight Park.

Downtown Knightville in South Portland, Maine, on a Sunday afternoon.

The Casco Bay Bridge looking from South Portland toward Portland, Maine.

Streetcar tracks in Thomas Knight Park, South Portland, Maine

Streetcar tracks going under the Casco Bay Bridge and approaching what was the South Portland end of the Million Dollar Bridge.

Streetcar tracks going toward Knightville in Thomas Knight Park, South Portland, Maine.

Portland, Maine, as seen from Thomas Knight Park in South Portland.

Cruise ships at the Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland, Maine. Sailboats at Spring Point Marina in South Portland, Maine.

Two Photo Ensembles on a Frigidaire

The Buddha and Ganesha

While the active Ganesha and the Chinese Buddha look very different, they are actually rather jolly mates.

The Buddha and Ganesha on the burner of a Frigidaire.

The Buddha, Ganesha, and Ganesha’s Companion Rat

Here the Buddha and Ganesha are joined by a larger embodiment of Ganesha’s companion, the rat. You can see a tiny rat already on the bronze statue at Ganesha’s feet. These gentlemen have arrived a bit early but more than ready for tea.

The Buddha, Ganesha and a rat companion on the burner of a Frigidaire.

Two Photos of the Buddha on a Burner

We were packing up stuff and I had this little statue of the Buddha I had to set somewhere. Hmm, I thought, wonder how the Buddha would look on the stove. He contrasted well with the burner. I don’t know what it means but I like it.

The Buddha also seems happy. The gods know he has had centuries of getting his buns warmed sitting on incense burners. You can see from the control knobs that the burner is safely off, but no fear as the Buddha has mastered lightning and fire.

Photo of the Buddha on a burner.

Close-up of the Buddha on a burner.