The view from Acadia Dock in Castine, Maine on an unexpectedly foggy morning.
Before I started taking pictures so fervently during our travels, I thought that a foggy day would be an unfortunate happenstance. But a true photography expert who vacations with us at Pawleys Island each summer told me he welcomes foggy mornings, describing the gift of fog as “a godsend.” “Fog,” he said, “is something we can’t duplicate or even plan to see, an unexpected gift from heaven.”
Each morning, a group of guys meets at the dock in Castine to greet the sunrise — or, in this case, the morning fog.
Each morning we stayed in Castine, Maine, I was up before dawn, anxious to watch the sky turn orange, then pink, then blue as the sun rose and bathed the harbor in light. It became a ritual of sorts, as I talked with some of the locals who met at Acadia Dock each morning and watched the day unfold. But one morning, we received that “godsend” my friend at the beach told me about: gray, all-encompassing fog.
Boats appeared moody and lonely as fog isolated them in my camera’s eye where they competed with nothing else on the horizon. The dock became mysterious as familiar regulars — like boats tethered at the dock and the usual lineup of larger vessels — were enshrouded.
Waiting to launch: boats at Castine.
Even the closed-for-the-summer Yacht Club dock appeared as a walkway to parts unknown. A movie set in the making perhaps.
The long dock at Castine’s Yacht Club.
And a glance to my left and then to my right revealed two welcome views. On my left, I could make out the other side of Acadia Dock with the Maine Marine Academy tugboat on the far left of the lineup.
The view from Castine Yacht Club of Acadia Dock enshrouded in fog.
On the right, gray shingled houses with their reflections shimmering beneath them, awaited the unfolding of day.
Houses along Castine’s waterfront as seen from the Yacht Club dock.
But the more I looked, the more I noticed something I didn’t expect to see so clearly — the color red. The juxtaposition of one single red boat added a focal point to this already intriguing lineup of waterside homes and sheds. And the photo is now one of my favorite from a month of snapping sunrises in Maine.
One red boat stands ready on a foggy morning in Castine.
The next time I’m in Castine peering out from the bedroom window to see what kind of day is in store, I’ll grab the camera even faster if I see gray skies. As fleeting as foggy mornings can be, I want to catch that “godsend” before the lift begins!
— Rusha Sams
For more on our month-long trip to Maine, click onto Travel Series: Autumn Down East. And then share with us what you’ve enjoyed most about the lovely state of Maine.
penncosect24
These are beautiful photographs. I feel as if I’ve been on a personal tour!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. We’ve been in Southeast Asia, so I’m slow in responding to folks, but we really appreciate your taking the time to look at Maine. We loved our month there and wish we could return. There is beauty at every turn!
Linda Arthur Tejera
Beautiful photos, Rusha! 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Linda. Have you been to Maine? If not, I think you’d find lots to love about the area. As soon as I get a bit more time, I’ll share even more sites and shots. What a pretty state!
Linda Arthur Tejera
I’ve never been but always wanted to visit. We have some friends who live there and winter in Florida. From all I’ve seen in photos, it’s a beautiful state! 😀
Martha Gill
I want to purchase two of your photos to help recall our brief visit to Maine. Have you thought of putting together a book of your wonderful photos to benefit the Friends?
Oh, the Places We See
Just let me now which photos you want, and they’re yours! I even have some that aren’t foggy! It was so fun to snap away in such a lovely setting. Thanks for the compliment and for the interest you take in me and in everyone you know. You are one special lady!
SueBee and Kat
Those are beautiful, very moody shots, and I’m with you, that little red boat picture is tops!!
Oh, the Places We See
We, too, love that red boat photo. I’m thinking of getting it enlarged and framed to preserve the memory of Maine in our Tennessee home. Thanks for taking a look!
SueBee and Kat
I think you should print/enlarge that picture! It’s a keeper!!
The Snow Melts Somewhere
Very atmospheric! Loving the fog effect
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I don’t think you can blow that effect in. You just have to hope God blesses you with it. We were lucky!
Amy
So beautifully captured! You can feel the peacefulness. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. It really was peaceful. That is, until the tug boat sounded that honking horn and made me jump — almost every morning. I never was ready for that!
prior..
the gray blue color throughout the post is calming, enriching and fits the vibe of your sharing — and Castine harbor is amazing in fog… ha
Oh, the Places We See
You nailed it. It really is a gray-blue color — I couldn’t quite describe it. And it’s thicker in some places than others. We were fortunate to stay a while in Castine, getting accustomed to the privilege of walking down to the harbor from our house and staring at the horizon as we waited for the sun. I miss it . . . a lot!
prior..
Oh what a nice season – sounds like such a great way to start the day like that 😊and at least the memories will always be with you! We used to live beachside and had similar short walks to catch the sunrise and so funny how I actually complained about how much seaweed was across the sand – well not major gripe – but a little (cos some beaches have more of it) anyhow – looking back I see even more of the gift those months were – ahhhh
Green Global Trek
Beautiful photos of the fog and the water and the boats. They look like paintings. We have always enjoyed the fog and its mysterious ways during our visits to San Francisco.
Peta
Oh, the Places We See
For seven years, our son lived in San Francisco. So we know what you’re talking about when you say “fog in San Fran.” It’s gorgeous! Love the mystery.
cynthiahm
Love all the boats.
Oh, the Places We See
We loved those boats, too. And this is a small harbor. We saw a number of harbors many times larger. We became familiar with the boats, and when we’d go down to the harbor, we’d look for ones that were in different places. I could get used to living near a harbor!
twobrownfeet
Haunting and beautiful! Great captures. Loved them all. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Great term — “haunting.” So appropriate. Now, I know why horror films shot in cemeteries always have foggy nights with full moons! Funny how that fog casts a whole new atmosphere over a familiar scene.
kzmcb
Beautifully narrated. ‘Languid’ shots.
Oh, the Places We See
Love that word “languid.” So appropriate for the mood those foggy mornings.
Curt Mekemson
I agree, Rusha, fog always adds another dimension to photography, as you have captured above. I also like the sounds of fog along the coast: distant fog horns, boats restless in their moorings, a lonely seagull, etc. The red boat did add an interesting touch in contrast to the grey. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right about the accompanying sights and sounds. One morning, there were several flocks of gulls, all honking and flapping at the same time. We felt as if we were in that movie “Birds.” If I were any good at taking videos, there would have been plenty to capture that morning.
Curt Mekemson
Gulls can be noisy. 🙂
Sue
Well, you have some great results here, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Sue, you are very kind. But I think in some ways taking pictures on a foggy morning may be easier than dodging harsh mid-day sun. I love the way these turned out, and I’d grab my camera and go again, if I get up in time to see the fog again! Thanks for taking a look.
Sue
😊
Nancy Stanley
Rusha–These photographs are more beautiful than any coffee table book on Amazon!
Oh, the Places We See
You are so very kind. Thanks for taking a look. I loved standing at the waterfront snapping away while listening to seagulls!