Spring in Maine is highlighted by the reawakening of nature – birds, animals, flowers, rivers and waterfalls. It’s also a season full of “bests”. Best time to spot a moose, best rates on ocean view rooms, best time to sample nature’s sweetener fresh from a sugar shack, and best time to explore quaint villages without the crowds.
Classic Spring Moments in Maine
Why A Moose Won’t Smile For The Camera
May and June are the most likely months to see a moose on a Maine roadside. They wander out of the woods to stock up on sodium deposits found in mud puddles and water-filled ditches. Moose also gather at open bodies of water to snack on aquatic plants. The best times for sightings are early morning and at dusk. “Take things slow,” says State Deer Biologist Lee Kantar. “If you see a small body of water through the forest, pull your vehicle off the road and take a good look around.” You might find a family ready for your camera. But don’t expect them to smile – moose don’t have top front teeth.
The Eagle Has Landed, and Landed, and Landed
A 2006 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service count showed that Maine is home to 74% of the northeast’s nesting bald eagles. More than 400 eagle pairs breed in all 16 counties but are most plentiful on the Kennebec River in central Maine, Cobscook Bay and the Penobscot River in the east, and the lakes of northern Maine. Spring is the time to catch a glimpse of newly hatched eaglets in their nests.
A Sappy Story That Turns Sweet
Maine is one of the world’s largest producers of pure maple syrup and home to the top syrup producing county in the United States – Somerset. Each spring, nearly 100 sugarhouses collect sap from maple trees and boil it to create sweet amber-hued syrup. Strawberry Hill Farms in Skowhegan makes certified organic syrup, Kinney’s Sugarhouse in Knox specializes in maple candies, and Merrifield Farm in North Gorham whips up its own maple cotton candy.
How Four Legs Keep Two Feet Dry on the Trail
Yes, in order to enjoy the best of spring in Maine you might find yourself in mud. But if a horse is your mode of transportation you’ll be able to see your reflection in your footwear at the end of the day. CF Farm in the town of Monmouth offers multiple trail rides through forest, open meadows and down country roads. Pack a lunch and take a day ride through the wilderness of the Moosehead Lake region with Rockies Golden Acres in Greenville. Or, get that early summer treat the old fashioned way on a one hour beginner ride to an ice cream stand from Carousel Horse Farm in Casco.
Charity Brings Quiet Season to a Hush
Now until Memorial Day weekend is the best time to get the best value on a room with an ocean or lake view. The Maine Innkeepers Association‘s Hospitality for Habitat Program makes that reality even more affordable during May 1-23 when participating accommodations make select rooms available for half their regular price in exchange for a guests $35 check to Habitat for Humanity. More than 40 coastal and inland properties are taking part in this year’s program.
For more information on springtime in Maine, visit the Office of Tourism’s Web site at http://www.visitmaine.com