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Archive for June, 2019

2019 Maine Trip- Lighthouses (Part 6)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip on June 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Nubble Lighhouse

As the crow flies Maine has over two hundred miles of coastline. However, if one adds up all the coastline as it actually is then the result would be approximately 3, 478 miles of coastline and that is not including the many, many islands of Maine. Because of all these rugged and rocky shorelines and the multitude of islands featuring the same rocky outcrops, many lighthouse were constructed to help aid in the shipping travel. There are almost seventy lighthouses situated at various areas of Maine to help the wayfaring stranger along.

We saw a lot of lighthouse, but I don’t know many by name or even remember all their locations.  Two of them are the Nubble and Portland Lighthouses.  these two are, probably, the most photographed and painted lighthouses of Maine. they are readily easily  to find and get close to paint of photograph.

Portland Lighthouse

The Nubble Lighthouse, or the Cape Neddick Lighthouse, was began in 1879 and is seventy-two feet high. The Portland Lighthouse is forty-one feet tall and was erected in 1790. At the Portland site names were painted on a rock of those who perished on site.

 

 

 

At the shoreline at the Portland Lighthouse  one can see and hear the mighty waves crashing over and among the rocky outcrops. The noise is, soemhow, soothing to listen to.

A very common flower is visible most everywhere. the attractive flower is the Rugosa Rose. However, this specie is a non-native plant to Maine and is consider invasive.

Rugosa Rose

 

We visited other coastlines to see what things of interest were available. the answer..LOTS!  Among the rocks were areas of standing water. I noticed dense black mussels of some specie. Removing one to study was difficult for the darkened mass was anchored tight together. Barnacles were common throughout Maine bays and ports. They could be spotted on rocks, piers, boats and about everywhere.

The black mussels

One site was a good one… a Harbor Seal. We actually saw them at various areas, but the first one shown in this picture was a special find to photograph.

Harbor Seal

Seaweeds were common on the rocks. High tide would have seaweed drift and settle on rocks.

Seaweed

I noticed hundreds of small fish swimming in the clear water. They may have been Mackerel since that fish is common to the area.

Lots of fish

Various Mollusk shells are scattered along the beaches.

 

 

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2019 Maine Trip- Lobster Fishing (Part 5)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip on June 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Acting silly!

There is no denying the importance of the lobster in the State of Maine. Lobsters are everywhere! They even had a lobster ice cream. Lobster images appear on every restaurant. Tourist areas see many lobster images on clothing, mugs, glasses, stationary………… everywhere!

Yes, the infinity of the Atlantic Ocean.

At Perkins Cove we embarked on a lobster boat to learn about lobsters and lobster fishing.                                                          

In 2018 there were 120 million pounds of lobsters harvested. That is a lot of lobsters! the largest lobster on record was a forty-nine pound beauty. This one was three and a half feet in length. I would like to see that one personally.

In those years of the past, Indians would gather lobsters to eat whenever they could use the tides to their advantage to find them. Years later, the lobsters were considered food to give to servants or prisoners.  they would use them as fertilizer as well. Hmmm…something drastically changed for the lobster became a status symbol of the elitists and today lobster is relished by all.

We took part in a boat with a guide and lobster fishermen.  We set off to check his traps and harvest some lobsters. The bays are inundated with buoys making individual lobster traps. each fisherman has a unique paint job on his buoys to identify his traps.

This day was windy and I must say I was concerned with the swales and waves as we ventured out to check the traps. My concern was for what might happen to me as many know I do have issues with vertigo. Would the movements on the waves stir anything up? I hoped not.

This trip the fisherman headed out along the coastline and eventually went out a little into the Atlantic Ocean. I found my thoughts interesting as I looked out at the ocean’s horizon thinking of nothing but water until we reached the old world. Mind-boggling!

Gulls, Eider Ducks and Cormorants were scattered about the air and waves. Some gulls actually landed on the boat hoping for a morsel of leftovers from the fisherman.

The fisherman caught a few lobsters and crabs and checked them for legality. Lobster laws insist on they be of a certain length to be harvestable. Females with eggs are to be returned to the sea.                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-backed Gull on lobster traps.

 

 

Female Eider Duck

 

 

 

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2019 Maine Trip- Casco Bay Cruise (Part 4)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip on June 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Harbor Seals

From Bailey Island in Maine we boarded a boat for an educational cruise in Casco bay. This trip would move along among the many islands of the bay.  Some islands have summer homes on them reachable only via boats, most often a ferry boat. Such islands are privately owned and the individual home is the only home per island. Such wealth is abundant around the islands and coastal properties. Million dollar summer homes are lived  in such areas only in the summer. Many celebrities have such homes for the summer.

Eagle Nest

Some interesting history abounds among the bay islands of Casco Bay. Lots of history stems from the World war two era. There were actually artillery

Osprey and Nest

batteries  in place to protect from any German invasion plans. Ships were sunk in some areas purposely in an attempt to keep German boats and submarines from entering the bay area. Submarine netting was erected in the bay, as well. Bailey Island actually had a radar system in place although it was camouflaged to avoid detection.

Another fort named Fort Gorges still stands on an island. This fort was erected in the 1858-1864 era. The builders added tons of ground over the fort to thwart any chance of mortar shells damaging the roof. Today the roof is covered with vegetation.

Many species of wildlife were viewed along this route. We saw Bald Eagles and their nest. Ospreys and their nests were, also, observed. Cormarants, many gulls, Eider Ducks, Harbor Seals, Terns were visible throughout the cruise event.

We docked in Portland, Maine.

 

 

 

 

Male Eider Duck

 

 

 

Horseshoe Crab (Deceased)

 

Cormarant

 

No idea??

 

Black-backed Gull. These gulls look like bald eagles at a quick glance.

 

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2019 Maine Trip- Penobscot Area (Part 3)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip, Uncategorized on June 29, 2019| Leave a Comment »

 

Sunrise at Belfast

NOTE: The sunrise photo had me feeling slight disappointment. I arose at 4:30 and quickly headed the two hundred yards to the shoreline to watch the sunrise. However, the tide was high and I just couldn’t go the next hundred or more yards needed to actually witness the sun for the rising occurred behind the land shown on the left. I did, however, capture some color. The last time I was at this site I stood, actually, in the area to the right of the photo and could easily see the sun.

Penobscot Bridge

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is a bridge to cross the Penobscot River. The structure is one of uniqueness indeed. Two granite-made pillars reaching way into the air were constructed using a huge suspension system to stabilize it all. The observatory is 420 feet high consisting of 42 stories. The top has a 360 degree view covering a 100 miles. One can see the distant Cadillac Mountain of Acadia national park. This is the tallest occupied structure in Maine. Laurie and I were greatly impressed with the view.

The granite used to construct the towers came from the local Mount Waldo area of Maine. The Washington Monument utilized this same source of material for its building.

In earlier times, many Algonquin-speaking Indians lived in the area including the Penobscot Indians. hence the name. They traded furs to the colonials. Today, they still live in the area forming the Wabanaki Confederation.

The legendary Fort Knox is still easily observed from the tower. Visitors may walk through the fort. the fort was built from 1844 through 1846. The  purpose of the fort was to protect communities of Maine. During, bith, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, the British came up from Penobscot Bay and attacked successfully thus seizing control of the area. However, upon the Civil war and Spanish-American wars no attacks were launched in this area although the fort was prepared during both conflicts.

Fort Know was built from the same granite supplies as mentioned earlier.

Fort Knox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking towards Penobscot Bay

 

Penobscot River

 

Everywhere you look the beautiful sight of primarily blue, pinkish and white Lupines are blooming.  Interestingly, the flowers is not native to Maine.

Lupine

 

Lupine-Closeup

 

 

 

 

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2019 Maine Trip- Acadia National Park (Part 2)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip on June 29, 2019| Leave a Comment »

The Acadia National park is a beautiful area to observe. The park consists of about 49,075 acres of rugged rocky coastlines, woodlands, wetlands, lakes and ponds. Words can not describe the beauty. For someone to arrive at this park, which is actually an island called Mount Desert Island, one needs to cross one bridge or use a boat. I suppose helicopter would work too if permitted.

  The island was named in the far off years as Sieur de Monts National Park and changed to Lafayette National Park in 1919. The name of Acadia  National Park came to reality in 1929. The original inhabitants were various Algonquin Indian tribes. They would canoe to the island to trap furs for trades.

Some of the highlights on the island are: the 1530 foot Cadillac Mountain; Thunder Hole; Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. (Cadillac Mountain was mentioned in the previous entry.) Unfortunately, the conditions were not correct to see the power of the crashing waters at Thunder Hole.  The water becomes intense enough that people have been washed out to sea. Bar Harbor is northeast of the park and can be viewed from Cadillac Mountain.

A massive fire in 1947 burned over 10, 000 acres of the island including many Bar Harbor area homes. The area had recovered nicely.

Unfortunately, Acadia national park was very crowed on this trip. the last time we visited the crowd was not nearly as an impact.

Jordan Pond

 

Beaver lodge

 

 

View from Cadillac Mountain

 

 

Wetlands

 

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2019 Maine- Cadillac Mountain of Acadia (Part One)

Posted in 2019 Maine Trip on June 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

View from Cadillac Mountain.

Laurie and I just returned from a trip to Maine. We visited a number of sites from mountains to bays and harbors. We were on three cruises along Maine’s rugged coastline and ventured a little out into the Atlantic Ocean. We spent time on lobster boats watching the lobster fishermen gather and check his lobster traps.

 This entry details some of the Acadia National Park. More specifically this entry will deal with Cadillac Mountain.

Bar Harbor

Cadillac Mountain is a 1,530 foot high mountain located within the Acadia National Park. This mountain was formally known as Green Mountain, but later received the name from a French explorer named, well just take my word, his name had “Cadillac” in it. During the early tears of colonization of around 1534-1763 this area was part of New France.

The surface of the mountain consist primarily of a pinkish granite. The granite is everywhere. Vegetation is sparse, but spruce tees dominate the tree species.

The view from the mountain is breathtaking indeed. Many of Maines’ local islands are viewed form the top. Once one looks in another direction the infinitieth of the Atlantic Ocean is obvious. That view is eerie in one way since the next land mass to be found is thousands of miles away. I couldn’t help wondering how these men of exploration managed to move along those many miles in the boats of their times. remarkably brave men they were!

Far off the community of Bar Harbor is made known along the coast. Later, I ate a nice lobster in the community.

Low tide at Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor views are beautiful with the many boats and lobster boats either anchored or moving along. Tourism is the primary income of the community. Tourism is seasonal since many leave the area as winter approaches with closed shops.

The area is grandeur  as the million dollar summer homes are viewed. These homes are called cottages, but they are usually huge as what I would call mansions. The winters along Maine’s coast become very harsh. Oceanfront properties sell starting into the upper six figure range. Many of these  people are politicians, celebrities and other people of much wealth.

The winds on the peak were very strong. I had prepared with taking coats with me in case of such weather events. Amusingly, several Ravens were enjoying the winds. the black birds would appear to be stationary in flight. At times they came as close as thirty yards to me.

 

 

 

My lobster

 

 

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A Finished Saw

Posted in My Art on June 21, 2019| 2 Comments »

 

 

Detail of the saw.

A friend from Kentucky recently requested for me to paint on a saw blade. His wish was for a couple of turkeys with Dogwood blossoms and Trilliums. With the rainy weather I quickly began to work on the saw.

I met John H. through a mutual friend, Randy Tost. Randy, unfortunately, passed away and John has not been to Pennsylvania since the funeral. I am thankful for the short time we had together.

 

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Snapping Turtle

Posted in Wildlife on June 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Look at that eye!

This morning I was surprised to see a Snapping Turtle walking across a stony site. I moved to about twelve feet when the critter stopped and pulled his appendages close to the shell.  I didn’t like the site for photos and eventually walked up to the reptile. This feller didn’t want picked up and those snapping jaws reminded me to not allow my fingers to get too close.

Snapping Turtle

I grasped the carapace (Shell) and moved the snapping reptile to a grassy area with water. I needed to wait for a time until the two of us bonded in trust. Alas! I was getting some photos in a natural environment.

After some time the turtle turned and began digging in the mud to bury itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Between Rains

Posted in Misc. Nature, Wildflowers, Wildlife on June 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Indian Pipe (s)

There is no doubt about it, Locally here in western Pennsylvania we have witnessed many gallons of rain. Within the last two weeks I had been rained upon while fishing for carp, forfeited mush needed hiking times and trying to keep my lower flood-prone back yard mowed. And, I have been carefully watching for skunks within feet of my kitchen and basement doors. The old girl had babies and recently they have become restless and started digging more. Lots of landscape repairs once they exit the area.

Chicory

Despite rains I have fished a little and hikes a little. I caught some Smallmouth Bass in the Allegheny River a few weeks ago. (Today the Allegheny is high and swift and muddy!) I have been playing a lot of music as of late, too. For instance, last week I played six times.  So I have been busy.

I have been taking photos on these limited times. Today was a very nice first day of summer. NO RAIN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Season

 

Great-spangled Fritillary

 

A dainty White Iris. (I found some flowers in the woods in 2018.)

 

Seventeen-year Cicada

 

Red Squirrel

 

Smallmouth Bass

 

Garter Snake

 

Wood Duck Drake

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Verses Leading To Salvation (update)

Posted in Spiritual on June 2, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Verses Leading To Salvation
Larry A. Smail

This study will detail verses with information for attaining salvation through the words of scripture. Much confusion over this vital knowledge is found within the church system. A brief history of Christ’s ministry and the apostle’s ministry will be mentioned here to set the stage for today’s dispensation for obtaining salvation.

1. What was Jesus’ primary message during his ministry?

Christ’s primary message was to fulfill the covenant promises given by God to the patriarchs so many years in the past. This is part of the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12: 1-3 and other chapters. The Lord promised, in part, through the seed of Abraham that a blessing would occur for all families of the earth. This blessing would be a Savior to redeem the curse upon mankind and give individuals an opportunity for salvation.

Christ constantly spoke about the “kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven.” This IS, in fact, the GOSPEL, or the GOOD NEWS, OF THE KINGDOM. As stated often within our studies, one should underline or highlight every place in the first five books of the New Testament where the above-mentioned words are written. In order to fulfill the covenant promises, Jesus was, also, ministering for Israel to believe just who he was…and that was their Messiah; their Promised One; Wonderful Counselor; their King, Prince of Peace…. The Apostle Paul clarifies this in Romans 15: 8, when he wrote: “…Christ became a servant (Or a Minister) to the circumcised (Jewish People or Israel) to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy…” Historically, once Israel left Egypt, God very quickly told the budding nation the following:

Exodus 19: 5-6 states, “…if you (Israel) obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples…you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy (Set apart) nation.” (Or the Chosen people)

Isaiah 49: 6 states this speaking of Israel, “I will give you (Israel) as a light to the nations, that my SALVATION may reach to the end of the earth.”

This was what Jesus meant when he told the disciples, “… to go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” But first, the disciples needed to have Israel believe who Christ was along with the kingdom restored. At that time, Israel would become that kingdom of priests to go to the Gentiles.

History tells us Israel failed constantly. They lost their kingdom. The nation of Israel became under Gentile dominion for many, many, many years.
Israel rejected Christ’s message to have their King and Kingdom. They didn’t BELIEVE!!!! Their unbelief led to Christ’s death on the cross. Three days and three nights later Christ was raised back to life!

2. What was the message after the cross and resurrection?

Acts 1: 3 records the resurrected Christ as being on earth for forty days and speaking of the “Kingdom of God!” Jesus’ message was still the same. In Acts 1: 6, the disciples asked Christ, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The importance of this kingdom to the Jewish people cannot be understated. The Jews lost their kingdom and the magnificent Solomon’s temple way back in 586 B.C. under King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire. The hope of their kingdom restoration was of vital importance. The kingdom is just as vital to modern Jews today! They are waiting for their Messiah today, as well. The Jews have increased their plans to have their third temple now that they are back in the land of Israel since 1948. One may say, Israel has some of their land back. The Jews still need their temple and King.

3. What was the disciples’ message during their ministries?

The best example is found in Peter’s sermons of Acts 2 and 3. Peter was preaching to Jews in Jerusalem about who Christ was, his death on the cross and the resurrection and the covenant promises to Abraham. Remember, the covenant promises were for the Jews. In verse 36, Peter reminded these Jews by saying, “Let “all the house of Israel” therefore know assuredly that God has made him that God has made him both Lord  and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” The Jews, now troubled over the events, wanted to know what they should do now. Peter told them to; “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (These Jews were to repent of their unbelief as to who Jesus was which led to the crucifixion. They were to then be baptized as per Jewish law as a type of cleansing or purification. If they believed, then the nation would be in a position to take salvation to the Gentiles and have their King and kingdom.) The disciples started the Jewish church of believers, yet they were still law-keeping. Important for study!

By studying the Jerusalem Council of around 50 A.D. it is easy to see there is a difference. The disciples were to continue with their kingdom message to the Jews and Paul was to stay with the Gentiles. Christ while on earth, in Matthew 10: 5-6 told the twelve to, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL.” Verse 7 added; the disciples were to preach that the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WAS AT HAND. (Jesus, scripturally, never said anything to change that course of action and it is easy to see just how Jewish his disciples remained. After all they were to work to have Israel believe. Jesus, at this time, was still here on earth during his ministry years, and the kingdom promises could have been reality if the Jews would have believed! Scripturally speaking, the disciples held true to staying with the Jews with a couple exceptions with Peter. More later on this difference. See Acts 15 and Galatians 2 to study this conference or council.

4. What caused Israel’s rejection before and after the cross?

In the simplest term…ISRAEL REJECTED CHRIST THROUGH THEIR UNBELIEF! Paul wrote in Romans 8-11 about Israel’s failure through their unbelief as to who Christ was. He wrote in Romans 11: 25 of Israel’s hardening of their hearts. Paul, also, added “until the full number of the Gentiles come in.” Israel will be given another opportunity to believe the gospel of the kingdom during the tribulation, also known as, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. (Jeremiah 30: 7) The Jewish remnant at that time will believe! Zechariah 12: 10 tells us, Israel will mourn for Christ the one they pierced. ISRAEL WILL BELIEVE!

5. What was the turning point with God’s plan with Israel?

Acts 7 gives us the story of the Holy Spirit, inspired, Jewish believer named Stephen. He was murdered by the Jews for his belief of Christ being their Promised One. Immediately in Acts 8 Saul (Later Paul) was introduced. Big changes would be coming. Israel’s future would be spiraling downward from this time until the Romans destroy Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. Israel would cease to exist as a nation. Remember since 586 B.C. Judah and Israel were under Gentile control.

6. So, what now? What was to be the next part of God’s plan? Who was to be the one during this next dispensation?

Paul would be called out of his Jewish zealous ways by the RISEN CHRIST. Romans 1: 1 states, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an APOSTLE, SET APART for the GOSPEL OF GOD which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures.” Paul added…”according to the Spirit of holiness by his RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received GRACE and apostleship to bring about the obedience of FAITH for the sake of his name AMONG ALL NATIONS…”
Israel lost the chance to be the nation of priests to carry God’s word to the Gentiles. Paul would begin taking the word to the Gentiles now, but without Israel.

Also, in Galatians 1: 1, Paul wrote he became an apostle not through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. He added in verses 11-12: “…the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I (Paul) did not receive it from man nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (The RISEN CHRIST)

7. What is this gospel of grace and how does one obtain grace?

There are two primary places in Paul’s words that detail the process of obtaining salvation. Romans 10: 9-10 the apostle wrote: “…because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.“ One needs to humble themselves in prayer and truly believe from within their innermost being.

A second place in scripture is 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4. Paul wrote: “Now I would remind you, brethren in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you have received, in which you stand, by which you are SAVED, if you hold it fast-unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES, THAT HE WAS BURIED, THAT HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY IN ACORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES…”

This is the GOSPEL OF GRACE given freely for those who believe Jesus was raised from the grave unto life. This is promised through those who receive and believe Paul’s words with FAITH! (Paul added in 2 Corinthians 4:3 words about the lost. He said the gospel is hid to those who are lost or perishing.)

8. What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11: 6 adds: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

9. What is the difference between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace?

The gospel of the kingdom preached by Christ while on earth and the disciples was simply believing who Christ was and the kingdom would become reality for the nation of Israel. Israel could have had their kingdom if they would have accepted Christ as their Promised One. After the cross, Israel could have had their King and kingdom if the nation would have turned around from their unbelief as to who Christ was. Neither option occurred in Israel’s history. (Notice the difference between these two gospels. The kingdom gospel had to have all of Israel believe. With grace, an individual can be saved.)

The kingdom will be reality on earth at Christ’s second coming.

The Gospel of Grace is to believe, after the fact, of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection with complete faith and the Holy Spirit will dwell within and mercy and grace is granted. Any person who has truly believed and has received grace through faith should see a change within as the process towards being Christ-like permeates their being.

Romans 4: 3 states Abraham believed what God said and that faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.

NO WORKS! THIS IS A “GIFT” OF GRACE!
However, works should become part of the grace experience, but works will not grant salvation!
AMAZING GRACE
HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME….
AND YOU! SIMPLY BELIEVE AND TRUST WITH FAITH.

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