Hiking Around Jordan Pond and Enjoying the Wildlife
While in Maine, I like to get up and out early to enjoy the tranquility of the trails of Acadia National Park. On a recent morning, I walked around Jordan Pond, a trail I have been on many, many times and simply love. Visitors to Acadia frequent the famous Jordan Pond House, the only full service restaurant in the park. It has a magnificent view of Jordan Pond with the North and South Bubbles in the distance and there is a long-standing tradition of serving afternoon tea and popovers on the sprawling lawn. The pond itself is about 150 feet deep and no swimming is allowed in it, however, canoes and kayaks are permitted. The Jordan Pond Shore trail follows the water’s edge and is a 3.3-mile loop – a great start to the day!
1 Jordan Pond at 7AM is a beautiful sight. This is the overflow dam at the south end of the pond. The hike is around the perimeter of this spectacular fresh water reservoir, which serves as the water supply for the village of Seal Harbor.
2 Looking north, one can see the Bubbles, which are two high hills, as one starts the hike around the west side of the pond.
3 On the western side of the pond, there is primarily a boardwalk and is slightly more difficult to walk upon than the eastern side, which is flat and gravelly. Both sides are beautiful to explore.
4 The boards were put in place to protect the delicate ecosystem of the woodland floor, such as the roots of the trees, and the emerging seedlings. All would be damaged by the tremendous amount of foot traffic on this very popular hike.
5 This is why I try to be the first one out in the morning. There is much wildlife to see, like this wonderful loon. Much of the wildlife disappears as the crowds grow in numbers on the trails during the day.
6 Loons are one of the most beautiful water birds that have striking black and white patterned plumage during summer, fading to gray in winter. They are excellent swimmers both above and beneath the water, which is where they hunt for food, eating mainly fish.
7 It had rained all the previous day before my hike on Jordan Pond and there was an absolute plethora of fine spider webs everywhere along the trail, covered with droplets of water.
8 I decided to take photos of the prettiest webs.
9 It was strange that with so many spider webs, I didn't see a single spider! This type of web is known as an orb web.
10 The view from the north end of the pond looking south is very serene. From this vantage point, one can sometimes have a view of beavers, busy at work.
11 It was a bit like a movie set on the trail - sun rays beaming, loons calling, water lapping the shores gently, and not another soul in sight or earshot.
12 I encountered another spider web and I had to walk off the trail a bit so as to not disturb the work of the spiders.
13 This was a very well balanced, round spider web.
14 Spider webs are typically twenty times the size of the spider building it. The bigger the web, the bigger the spider!
15 There is a very large web in this photo, although being quite delicate, it is difficult to see.
16 These spiders seem to like the juniper and cedar trees to support their web weaving.
17 Although, beech and birch are also common backdrops.
18 Nothing caught yet.
19 And then, I finally saw an industrious beaver paddling calmly from south to north.
20 The beavers are very active on the north end of Jordan Pond, where they are gnawing down lots of trees along the edge of the pond to use in their building projects.
21 I called out and this beaver seemed to hear. He stuck up his head and listened, and then turned around and came very much closer to me. He even started nibbling some maple branches that were in the water at pond edge.
22 This is yet another beaver! I saw two on the hike.
23 This fellow was very curious and came right to shore where I was standing, with vegetation in its mouth. You can see the gnawed ends of the branches.
24 You can see this beaver's broad tail, which is used to propel through the water. They also slap their tails upon the water signaling other beavers that danger is near.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
How beautiful and serene, Martha.
I like all the webs in the pictures and by enlarging #15, I was able to see the size of that web.
They are really beautiful when you can catch them in the early morning light with dew drops clinging to them.
I know a woman who makes art from what she calls Beaver Sticks. She picks up the shorter sticks the beavers leave behind, and makes some strange, and some amazing, things from them. And, then...she sells them.
I hope you had a good birthday weekend, and I pray you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you for sharing your walk.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 6th, 2012 at 12:35 am
Good Morning , Martha, Thank you for the wonderful pictures this morning!
How blessed you are to be able to hike that beautiful area! Thanks for
sharing your life with us.
Posted by: Patricia Posey | August 6th, 2012 at 2:52 am
Just awesome. I have always admired the beauty of spider
webs! You certainly captured that on your hike. You reminded
me that I haven't made popovers in ages. Today I will! Thanks
for sharing the beauty of this day with us.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Peterson | August 6th, 2012 at 5:15 am
I love the beaver photos!! I go riding near a few beaver ponds and I get to catch a glimpse if I'm lucky. Usually I hear the slap, which sounds like a gun going off and then see the rippling water. Lucky you.
Posted by: Holly | August 6th, 2012 at 5:25 am
What a glorious way to start a day! I'm also an early riser Martha and I love having that time for myself before anyone else is up! The trail around Jordan Pond is beautiful, I'm not surprised you've hiked it many times. How cute are the beavers, I can't believe that one got so close to you! I also like the spider webs, they're so pretty. Thanks for sharing your hike Martha!
Posted by: Cindy F | August 6th, 2012 at 7:02 am
https://picasaweb.google.com/113318845515808061766/August52011
Hi, Martha ! Great spider webs.....In my post just above is a link to a photo I took of a special spider web in my back yard. A few years ago I had just purchased six spider web back patio chairs and put them on the back patio. Two days after I put them there I looked out and saw this incredible spider web built from the back of two chairs and the umbrella covering the table. The spider is clearly visible in the middle of the web. It was rich in irony...the spider welcoming the spider web chairs. Thanks for the many great posts and photos...always a please to wake up to your blog.
Posted by: Sandra McCurry Chitty | August 6th, 2012 at 7:03 am
Happy birthday Martha, best wishes....big hug from Brazil!
Posted by: Vera M | August 6th, 2012 at 7:39 am
I thoroughly enjoyed today's blog and photos! Thanks for the wonderful spider web and beaver photos. Jordan Pond is certainly a beautiful sanctuary.
Posted by: Sue Fawcett | August 6th, 2012 at 8:50 am
How many of us have had that certain someone say "said the spider to the fly"?
Have caught quite a few treasure in my web. Just think that the Black Hills of South Dakota have similar hike trails as even Ethan can make the Badger Clark trail and see the cabin where our poet lived in 'Badger Hole'. The other author, Linda Hasseslstrom, still lives near Hermosa and her retreats are better than going to the spa in nearby HOT SPRINGS, well mebbe not..
Posted by: ann | August 6th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Martha, you are so lucky to see those beavers!
Posted by: homer | August 6th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Oh, Martha,
What a great place to relax. It's August and the county fairs are in full swing. Our state fair starts this week and my favorite book Charlotte's Web comes to mind.
Time to read!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | August 6th, 2012 at 9:20 am
Hi Martha, Thanks so much for this delightful, early morning tour with you hiking around Jordan Pond! I recall seeing another wonderful blog about you hiking in that same area and showing us the loons and the beavers! These photos are remarkable again, and seeing all of those lovely spiderwebs is fabulous! How interesting that the beaver came close to you! Love the Jordan Pond website and if I lived near there, it would be fun to work at their restaurant in the park! You must have had a terrific weekend with your Birthday on Friday! Sure hope you have another great day and loved your latest tweet about you latest hair coloring! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Observing Butterflies and Moths"! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 6th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog. My birthday was yesterday the 5th.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 6th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Walking in the early morning is the best.... I suspect you did not have the dogs with you... as it would be a very brave Beaver to come over with the dogs around..
A Doe and a Fawn just walked by my front yard... there is a heard of about 9 or so... well 10 now...
The Loons are so beautiful... for the last few years I only saw it alone... but now there is a pair... hoping for babies...
no beavers that I no of very small creeks here... alot of frogs well into the shady part of the forest by the sea...
it was supposed to rain last night... but it was just mist.... must water thoroughly tonight... as I have a well.. I have to let my lawn go... but do water new trees and baskets...
I just love photos of your homes and surroundings. Thank you so much for sharing.
Take Care,
Rachel
Posted by: RT Scott | August 6th, 2012 at 10:46 am
Hi Martha,
You were so careful not to disturb those beautiful webs and I hope other hikers did the same. Spiders are amazing little creatures when it comes to weaving a web. When we had screening over our pool area, (pre-Wilma), the spiders made it their home and were always making webs. Early in the morning I would turn the yard lights on just to watch them work.
~
Jordan Pond looks like a very interesting place for a hike. It’s been great to see your pictures of it over the years on this blog and after looking at those again after I did a Search, I stopped to read a couple of other blogs. One was Dinner at Le Cirque and the other was Some Beautiful Flora of Maine and a visit to a new coffee shop. I had forgotten about those so it was fun to read the comments once again. Have a great day! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 6th, 2012 at 11:42 am
Great photography. What kind of camera were you using?
Posted by: bnkay | August 6th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
OMG one of your top blogs to date!
I love wildlife and the beavers are down right adorable!
In fact, I've dated a few 'loon's in my day!
The sights were wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
gail
Posted by: gail pierson | August 6th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
I just wanted to wish a belated "Happy Birthday" to KLBrown! I hope it was fun! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 6th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Gorgeous photos Martha Love
Posted by: RowaidaFlayhan | August 6th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Shoot, can't find pop over pan! I shoved clutter away for party and must have lost it but Jax & Ken just brought me lovely brown eggs and gotta rummage 'til I find it now before inspiration from Kathy leaves me.
Posted by: ann | August 6th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Martha,
These pictures are lovely. What a nice hike you had around the pond. I, too, can't believe that beaver got so close to you after you called out to him/her. I guess you now have earned the title "The Beaver Whisper"!
Posted by: Lee | August 6th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Hello Martha. I am curious:...how are the trees around Jordan Pond protected from beavers gnawing at them?
Posted by: Rebecca David | August 6th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
thanks for sharing, you should check out my loon pictures on fb page Lake Ozonia, it is in upper Ny State near Potsdam, NY
Posted by: ann french | August 6th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Martha, loved your pictures. We was up there the end of May and I have some great pictures of Acadia, some of Jordan Pond too, But none of the early morning. Loved looking at yours.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy L | August 6th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
I love all the photos but especially number 16.
Posted by: Lisa | August 6th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Another great spot for hiking in Maine is the Cutler Coast Trail. Check it out.
Posted by: georgine hartenfels | August 6th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Martha, we just got back from our second trip to Acadia. It is such a special place, we're going to make it a yearly trip with our three boys who love it as well. Jordon Pond is always on our list to visit (love the popovers with a view)!
Posted by: Valerie Reilly | August 6th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Ah, we didn't see beavers during our hike around Jordan Pond, but we did see some of their handiwork on some trees along the trail. What a cute guy. We saw a loon, but sadly it was very quiet. I was hoping to hear its distinctive call. Did they call for you? Beautiful web photos! I am always taking shots of big, glistening webs, but they never come out as spectacular as the real thing. Yours are very lovely, conveying a sense of tranquility that I'm sure you were experiencing. It looks like you had some good weather. The day we left last week it poured. We said our final island good-bye on top of Cadillac Mt in the mist, drizzle, and wind - still a glorious moment. I look forward to more Mt. Desert Island photos in your future posts.
Posted by: Julie | August 6th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
So beautiful and romantic and opposite (diagonally, and across the country) from where I am. Still, we also have pine trees on rugged cliffs overlooking the ocean.
One of my high school history teachers, John Daly, a very stuffy guy, would talk about Bah Ha-bah all the time. People would whisper about him being a millionaire when there weren't so many, and most especially any teaching in a public high school, 40-some years ago. He would also complain about male ballet dancers being over-exposed in their tights. Shocking! Now we can hear people freely talk about "budgie smugglers" on TV.
Posted by: jw | August 6th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Sigh...this makes me miss Maine so much. I lived there for several years and Acadia was my favorite place. My favorite hike was Acadia Mountain--amazing views. A friend and I accidentally hiked Precipice one time--we had no idea what we were getting into! And once you start that one, there's no going back...
Posted by: Jessica | August 6th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
I love this hike-very peaceful. Usually we hike this and afterwards have lemonade and popovers at Jordan Pond House
Posted by: Elizabeth Reiller | August 7th, 2012 at 7:01 am
Very pretty!
Posted by: Karen | August 7th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Martha. I can relate to being @ Jordan Pond It is a Very Beautiful Place And After You Have Walked The Area You Must Stop In And Have A Warm Popover With Butter And Strawberry Or Blueberry Jam And A Bowl Of Soup. I try to go once or twice a year for the Lovely Views....All Enjoy! And Love The Spider Web's,What a Talent Those Little Creatures Have*. AMAZING****
Posted by: Darlene Martinez | August 9th, 2012 at 9:07 pm