Pheasant Hill Forest

Pheasant Hill Forest
Bowdoin, Maine

What does Pheasant Hill Forest have to do with photography? Much more than you might think. This piece of land is approximately 150 acres of Maine woodland. There is over 1,000’ of stream frontage, at least 2 beaver ponds, mixed trees in the forest, and varied topography. Wildlife photographers, nature photographers, and macro photographers love this site.

What types of animals have been confirmed on the Hill? The list I am about to create is from memory, there are probably more animals seen and photographed than are mentioned here. Forest inhabitants include the following:
• Whitetail deer Moose Wild turkeys
• Coyotes Bobcats Lynx
• Porcupines Red squirrels Gray squirrels
• Cottontail rabbits Snowshoe hares Minks
• Red-tailed hawks Beavers Skunks
• Muskrats Fishers Raccoons
• Bald eagles Foxes Many types of owls
• Wood ducks Osprey Great Blue Heron

The list above is a short one compared to all that is native to Maine. For example, cougars are said to roam the woods of Maine. I did find and photograph a cougar track one year. I have listed the above just to give you an idea of the wildlife that the area supports.

When it comes to flora and fauna, it is magnificent and ranges from wetland ferns to heirloom columbine and lady slippers.
Insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other creates crawl, fly, or hop through Pheasant Hill Forest.

What does any of this have to do with you?
I bought this land to prevent it from being developed into house lots. There is much development in the general area, and I wanted to maintain a wilderness area. I have ridden about 7 miles on my 4-wheeler without seeing a person or a house. The land has been selectively cut as recommended by a registered forester to keep the forest healthy and growing. Trails meander and wind through acres and acres of woodlands.
It is not uncommon to see a horse and rider from time to time. You will also encounter some traffic from 4-wheelers and an occasional 4-wd truck. All and all, this is about the most wilderness that you are likely to find that is within 18 miles of cities and towns.

I bought the land to protect it and to leave it to my children when my days of caring for it are done. The land is also meant to be used by naturalists of various types. Members of World Photographers Organization are welcome on the land. They can camp on the land if they like, and there is no shortage of photographic subjects.
I am not sure how much longer I can keep the property with the economy being what it is, but I will keep and improve it as long as I can. There is a mortgage on the land and upkeep can be expensive, but I love it and want to share it with other serious photographers.

If you are around Brunswick, Maine, Augusta, Maine, or the Lewiston-Auburn Maine area, you are only about 30 minutes away from Pheasant Hill Forest. Should you like to visit it, email me for advance notice at lonewolf@lonewolfent.net. All I ask of those I allow on the land is that they do no harm.
RDW