Bass Harbor Sunday Bass Harbor Sunday

On a peaceful Sunday morning I the walked through the forested canopy from the parking lot down to the steep wooden stairs just above the jagged stone water's edge at the base of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. It was an inspiring view in the early morning at about 8:00 with no one else around. As a photographer, this was ideal for a serene landscape and lighthouse photo. The tide was just right and the skies were bright and blue. A little unusual even in the summertime for Maine. Anytime you're along the coast anywhere, especially in the morning, it is always a toss up as to what the weather conditions will be like. But this day was purposeful.

Located in Acadia National Park at the southwest corner of Maine's Mount Desert Island, this lighthouse stands proud and majestic some 56 feet above mean high tide on Maine's rugged coastline. This island is the second largest on the eastern seaboard, behind only Long Island in New York State. Like a quiet centurion placed at the top of an unforgiving coast, this lighthouse is perhaps one of, if not the most, photographed lights in the country. It is currently an operational aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. A light of some sort has existed at this location since 1855 but it wasn't until 1858 that Congress appropriated $5,000 to build this stone foundation and brick conical tower with a fifth order Fresnel lens. A fourth order Fresnel lens is now operating and the lighthouse is now automated. It has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1988. This Light aids ships as far out to sea as 13 nautical miles. It marks the turn point into the fishing village Bass Harbor in the municipality of Tremont around the southwest corner of Desert Island. This area of the island is what locals like to call the "quietside" of the island. 

No unusual stories to tell about this lighthouse, just a handsome landmark lighthouse on the coast of Maine and the only one on Desert Island.