Bald Porcupine Island (seen on the right side of this photo taken from Cadillac
Mountain) is located in Frenchman Bay between Mount
Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula on
the coast of Maine. A distinguishing feature is the breakwater that stretches outward. Without it, Bar Harbor would not have a safe harbor. Bald Porcupine Island is actually in Gouldsboro,
Maine and part of Acadia National Park. Most of its 32 acres are
covered with a mature spruce-fir and deciduous tree forest. Bald eagles
and other nesting birds nest here so it is closed February 15 - August
31 of each year (or, until a park wildlife biologist determines that
nesting is not occurring). (view photos)
You will notice that, like most of the mountains and other land formations
in this area, the northern side has a gentle slope whereas the southern
side is less so. This was caused by the glaciers that migrated from
north to south, shearing off the tops of the mountains and other land
formations. As the glacier pressed against the mountain, it scooped up materials and pushed it along until it reach the downside where it was deposited.
The island directly behind Bald Porcupine Island in the image above is Long
Porcupine Island. The one to the left is Rum Key. The one behind
Long Porcupine Island is called Stave
Island, also part of Gouldsboro, and part of what is often called the Schoodic Region of Maine. The only portion of Acadia National Park located on the mainland is on the Schoodic Peninsula. This area is well worth exploring id you are not familiar with it.
(Bald Porcupine Island is managed by
a non-government conservation organization.)
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