A partial rainbow emerges from the Doubling Point section of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine. On the left is the Doubling Point Lighthouse, and behind the sailboat is the one of the Kennebec River Range Lights, Maine’s only set of range lights still in existence. For more on Midcoast Maine lighthouses, please visit Midcoast Lighthouses at visitmaine.com.

Note: For a full-sized view, simply click the thumbnail below. Image ©2011 John Briggs Photography | All Rights Reserved.

Rainbow over the Kennebec River - Bath, Maine

Mother Nature played a great April Fools’ joke on Maine today. She reminded us that even thought the calendar says Spring, Winter is not over just yet.

Up to a foot of heavy, wet snow covered the landscape and coated trees and powerlines. Tens of thousands were without power at the height of the storm because of downed powerlines. All schools and universities were closed and motor vehicle accidents were numerous during the morning rush hour.

The following video was taken during the height of the storm while we drove across the Carlton Bridge between Woolwich and Bath, Maine.

Note: Simply click the image below to view the movie. When the new window opens for the video, playback will begin. Open browser window to full size to see the larger HD version.

Dimension: 560×480 | Video bit rate: 1000Kbps | Length: 45 sec.
Click photo to watch video | Broadband Connection Recommended
Video: April Fools’ Day Snowstorm | ©2011 John Briggs Photography
Video will open in a new window. Playback is at my SmugMug site.

The Doubling Point Lighthouse, located on Arrowsic Island along the Kennebec River, was built in 1898 and was activated in 1899. The light was automated in 1990 and is still in use today.

The site is owned and managed by the Friends of the Doubling Point Light and is open to the public. The tower itself is closed to the public. Tour boats from the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath cruise past this lighthouse during the summer months.

Note: For a full-sized view, simply click the thumbnail below. Image ©2011 John Briggs Photography.

Doubling Point Lighthouse | Click thumbnail for full size view

What a storm! Beginning just before sunrise on January 12th, the nor’easter that slammed Maine dropped 16 1/2″ of snow here in Bath. High winds, heavy snow and blowing snow with snowfall rates of 2″-3″ per hour made travel impossible. The following photo and video was taken during a particularly nasty moment during the storm.

January 12, 2011 Nor'easter - Bath, Maine - Click thumbnail for larger view

Dimension: 560×480 | Video bit rate: 1000Kbps | File Size: 32.6mb
Playback: Click Play Button | Broadband Connection Recommended
Video: Jan. 12, 2011 Nor’easter | ©2011 John Briggs Photography

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIAUxMgs9sU

The tower of the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse against a partly cloudy sky. Built in 1891, the lighthouse marked a dangerous ledge at the entrance to Portland Harbor. Today, a breakwater allows access to this historic lighthouse.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse Lantern Room - Click photo for larger view

Full view of the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse | Click thumbnail for larger view

Skywatch Friday

Pounding waves at Popham Beach State Park the morning after Hurricane Earl passed well offshore of the Maine coast. Heavy rain and high seas were the result of the storm with little or no damage occuring in the state of Maine.

View from Popham Beach State Park as Hurricane Earl passes well offshore. | Click thumbnail for larger view.

Lobster boats sit idle in Carrying Place Cove near Phippsburg, Maine.

Carrying Place Cove - Phippsburg, Maine | Click thumbnail for larger view

These orange Daylillies (Hemerocallis fulva) had a rain shower coat them in a stunning display of reflective rain droplets. Hoping to capture their beauty, I set up my tripod with a Canon 7D camera and a “nifty fifty” lens attached. Between the camera and lens, I used an Opteka 31mm extension tube.

Gusts of wind made taking these photos difficult. I had to wait until the flower was perfectly still before releasing the shutter. My patience paid off! I took over 100 photos and only a handful came out sharp enough to use in this post.

Enjoy the beauty that a summer rain shower can bring to your garden!

Simply click a thumbnail for a larger view. Once the shadowbox opens, you will want to expand the view by clicking the expand icon in the upper right hand corner of the photo. These photos are best in the expanded view!

This spider was found spinning a web between our front door and the deck railing. I became frustrated trying to find an ID on this arachnid. Included below are additional photos of top and underside views.

If you have an idea as to the name of this spider, please leave a comment. Simply click a thumbnail for a larger view. Once the shadowbox opens, you may expand the view by clicking the expand icon in the upper right hand corner.

Thanks for your help!

I rescued this Dragonfly from a spider web in our backyard. It was kind enough to pose for just one photo, and then it flew off with a great story to tell its friends.

Dragonfly | Click image for larger view