
Early morning sun brightens the waters of Castine harbor where the sailing vessel Bowdoin resides.
Coastal Maine offers glorious sunrises if you’re willing to wake up early, bundle yourself in layers, and stand on a dock for the morning show.
And you’re never alone. From birds gliding overhead to lobstermen checking traps before dawn, docks like Acadia in Castine put on a spectacle like no other.

Leaving Acadia Dock before dawn is the Maine Maritime Academy tug awash in early-morning sunlight.

Sunlight filters through lobster traps at Acadia Dock, Castine, Maine
Dawn comes in layers. First a subtle orange or salmon or pinkish sky.

Aglow in morning light, a lone tethered boat stands ready.
Then a peep of light that quickly washes over anything in front of it.

Sunrise: Castine Harbor.
To a full-blown wake-up of morning activities.

Morning light: Castine, Maine.
Just another sunrise? No such thing.
For more sunrises and sunsets, visit the WordPress DailyPost Weekly Photo Challenge: Rise/Set.
For more posts on the beautiful state of Maine, check our Travel Series: Autumn Down East.
Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread
Your lovely photos remind me of the sign as we enter Maine from Portsmouth: “Welcome to Maine: The Way Life Should Be.” 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
It is one gorgeous state — of course, many of the states are, but this one just speaks to me!
JessicaTheresaMorleyxo
Wow!Would love for you to check out my blog. I think you would like it. Im glad I found your blog 😀 xoxo
ericarobbin
Beautiful photos! I’ve always wanted to visit Maine!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for the compliment. But when the scenery is this gorgeous, it’s hard to mess up! I hope you get to Maine. It truly is a scenic place.
Rupali
Lovely colours.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for taking a look. It was fun just standing on that dock watching the morning show. And the sky seemed to change colors about every five minutes! Best wishes for a beautiful spring.
satyanveshee
Great pictures.
I chose a symbolic route, my response: https://satyaanveshan.wordpress.com/2018/03/30/rising-while-setting/
Oh, the Places We See
Loved your photo and hope to see more from you.
kzmcb
Glorious colors. Just beautiful.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for checking out these photos. I had so much fun snapping away at the glorious sunrises in Castine, Maine. Just a great memory for me. Happy spring to you!
Pingback: WPC: Rise/Set | Lillie-Put
M.B. Henry
Wonderful photos! Those colors are amazing
Oh, the Places We See
I couldn’t agree more about the colors! The brilliant oranges really took me aback. Not even in the national parks of Utah did we see such color. And all these photos are without any filters. Now, you may understand why I was so willing to get up at the crack of dawn and head down to the harbor! Happy springtime to you!
Tina Schell
Love that little tug, and definitely love Acadia!!! Beautiful sunrises
Oh, the Places We See
It was a marvelous experience staying in Castine. Each morning, I threw on warm clothes and headed to the dock to watch sunrise. Loved the birds squawking and flying by and the boats moving slowly but steadily through the sun-washed waters. It’s kind of like being at the beach but without sand!
prior..
wonderful and I could feel a certain mood with “never alone…” and then feel the birds and traps
and LOVED this too:
Just another sunrise? No such thing.
best quote of the year (IMO) so far….
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for making me feel good today. I love these pictures because they remind me of a time when I was willing to brave the cold each morning and stand on the dock admiring God’s handiwork. Oh, to be there again!
prior..
well we are sort of there again with the photos – and of course the experience lives on.
and I like how you noted “brave the cold” – because natural beauty can do that to ya, huh? – pulls you out without you having any say! lol
🙂
Sue
Glorious!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look. Your one word summarizes the whole experience beautifully. I loved my mornings at the harbor!
claywatkins
How lovely. I don’t get to watch the sunrise – not because I am not up, it’s where I usually am that keeps me from seeing the sun rise. But when I can, I do. How wonderful it is to see the sunrise over the water. Have a wonderful week.
Oh, the Places We See
We can’t see the sun rise where we live in Tennessee, but staying in Castine, Maine for a month got me out of bed each morning to bundle up and head for the harbor. Oh, how I wish I could do that again!!! Thanks for responding. Happy Spring!
claywatkins
It’s my last day of spring break in the Florida Keys – I get to see both for a week – then I have to wait for he next year. Just watched this morning’s sunrise – they are all different as is each day. Have a wonderful Easter.
dawnkinster
Love Acadia! And my favorite of this batch is that tug…so unexpected and special!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for letting me know your favorite. It’s mine as well. That golden tug looks even more magical going for an early-morning run!