Loon Photos

I received these nice photos of the loon family in the middle pond yesterday. Dan Muse (Narrows Drive) took these when he and Ann were cruising the pond this weekend. Thanks, Dan - nice shots. Ann told me they will try to get a better shot of the visiting bird (if it is still hanging out here). 

Susan Palmer (Old Homestead Road) wrote: I didn't get a picture, but was thrilled to see 2 adult loons with 2 chicks leisurely swimming and (the adults) fishing this afternoon. I hope they have a safe summer!

We all hope the loon families stay safe. I still haven't had word about whether there was a successful hatch at the north end of the big pond, but I expect we will hear any day now. 

There have been some questions about the transformation of the house across from the public beach on Route 15 that Kyle Johnson now owns and is renovating. That was the old Farrington farm, and was later owned by several others over the years, more recently by the Dunbar family. This photo shows how it looked in the 1900s. There was originally a very large, up-to-date (for then) barn and they had their own creamery where they made  butter to ship commercially. At that time the farm included much of the land on both sides of what is now Route 15, including the Narrows Drive area, and land behind the farm buildings along what is now Lemay Road. The main farmhouse was built in a very common style with a central doorway and windows on either side. The schoolhouse was moved from where David and April Sprague's place is by the bridge on Route 2, to the lot at the right of these buildings. When I was in school there in the 1940s, I believe the farm was owned by a Sholan family. Now, only the house is left. It is a beautiful location, overlooking the small pond. The transformation of this property is notable, and interesting to watch.

Another house, very similar in design and built about the same time, is still standing further up Route 15 from the Farrington farm. That used to be the Clifford farm and was later the Isham farm. At one time, John Clifford owned a large portion of the eastern shore of Joe's Pond, and in the early 1900s, he sold numerous camp lots. Clifford was a stone cutter, but as was normal in those days, he operated a productive farm as well. Both farms have the same general configuration. 

That's it for me for now. Thank you for all your photos, comments and notes. All very much appreciated!