Young's Guide Service

06/16/2026

🖤 Did You Know? Common Loons Share Nesting Duties! 🖤

If you've spotted a loon sitting quietly along the shoreline, there's a good chance it's guarding a nest.
Common loons typically lay two eggs, and both the male and female take turns incubating them. The eggs require about 26–30 days of incubation before hatching, with each parent sharing the responsibility of keeping the eggs warm and protected.

Loons usually build their nests right at the water's edge, making it easy to slip on and off the nest. While incubating, they remain incredibly dedicated, often sitting for long periods and only leaving briefly to feed or switch places with their mate.

If you're enjoying Maine's lakes this spring and summer, remember to give nesting loons plenty of space. Disturbances can cause adults to leave the nest, exposing eggs to predators and the elements.

Have you spotted a loon on a nest this season? Share your photos in the comments! 🖤🪶🌲

06/14/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸

Today we honor the Stars and Stripes, a symbol of freedom, strength, and the values that unite us as Americans.

Here in Maine, we're fortunate to live and work among some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. From the shores of Moosehead Lake to the iconic silhouette of Mount Kineo, we're reminded every day of the natural beauty and freedoms we cherish.

As Old Glory waves proudly over this incredible view, we celebrate the nation, the people who have served it, and the outdoor traditions that bring us together.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Flag Day! 🇺🇸

🇺🇸🫎📸

06/11/2026

🐢 Wildlife Spotlight: Common Snapping Turtle 🐢

We came across this Common Snapping Turtle recently on one of our adventures . While these turtles may look intimidating, they're a native part of Maine's wildlife and play an important role in keeping our ponds, lakes, and wetlands healthy.

This time of year, female snapping turtles leave the water in search of sandy or gravelly areas to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, road shoulders often provide ideal nesting habitat, which means many turtles must cross busy roads to reach their destination.

Snapping turtles can take more than a decade to reach breeding age, making every adult female especially important to the future of Maine's turtle populations. A single turtle lost on the roadway can have a significant impact on local populations.

If you see a turtle crossing the road:
🛑 Slow down and use caution.
➡️ If it is safe to do so, help it continue in the direction it is already traveling.
❌ Never relocate it to another area or body of water.

A little patience can go a long way in helping these prehistoric-looking reptiles continue to thrive across Maine.

👀 Have you spotted a snapping turtle this spring?

06/09/2026

💜🌿 Lupine: A Maine Summer Favorite 🌿💜

One of the most recognizable signs of summer in Maine is the beautiful bloom of lupine lining roadsides, fields, and open landscapes. Their tall spikes of purple, pink, blue, and white flowers create stunning displays that attract both photographers and nature lovers alike.

While lupine may look delicate, these wildflowers are incredibly important to the ecosystem. They provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, helping support healthy plant and wildlife populations throughout the summer.

Originally introduced to Maine in the 1940s, lupine have become a beloved part of the state's landscape.

Their colorful blooms typically peak in June and early July, transforming ordinary roadsides into breathtaking scenes.

Have you spotted any lupine fields yet this summer?

📸 Share your favorite lupine photo in the comments!

🌿💜📸

06/07/2026

Traffic on the back roads of Maine hits a little different. 🫎

06/06/2026

We could use your support on Monday, June 8th!

🫎 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is convening a working group to gather information and perspectives on a proposal to open portions of Wildlife Management Districts 8, 9, 14, and 17 to late September moose hunting, while minimizing conflicts with tourism and other recreational uses in the Moosehead Region.

The working group will include representatives from a variety of interests, and the public is welcome to attend. Public comment opportunities will be provided at the conclusion of each session.

📍 Location:
Greenville Public Safety Building
10 Minden Street, Greenville

📅 Meeting Dates:
Monday, June 8, 2026
🕐 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 25, 2026 (if needed)
🕐 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

💻 Remote Attendance:
An online attendance option via Microsoft Teams will also be available. Those wishing to attend remotely should email Becky Orff at [email protected] for participation information.

Whether you're a hunter, guide, business owner, outdoor enthusiast, conservationist, or resident, this is an opportunity to learn more and share your perspective on an issue that could have a significant impact on the Moosehead region.

06/05/2026

This curious yearling moose wasn’t the least bit shy and seemed just as interested in us as we were in her! 🫎

If you’ve been seeing young moose on their own lately, there’s a good reason. This time of year, cow moose are preparing to give birth to their new calves. As that time approaches, they drive away last year’s offspring so they can focus on caring for their newest little ones.

While it may seem sad, this is a natural and important part of a moose’s life cycle. For the past year, this young moose has been learning valuable survival skills from her mother—where to find food, how to recognize danger, and how to navigate the woods and waterways of the North Woods. Now it’s her turn to put those lessons to use and begin life on her own.

Before long, her mother will be welcoming a new calf, and this young lady will continue her journey toward adulthood. Seeing these independent yearlings is a sure sign that moose calving season is underway!

🫎🌲📸 Have you spotted any moose calves or yearlings yet this spring?

06/03/2026

🌸 Did You Know? Lady's Slippers Are More Than Just Beautiful! 🌸

One of Maine's most iconic wildflowers, the pink lady's slipper, is actually a species of wild orchid. These delicate flowers can take years to mature and bloom, making every sighting a special one.

What many people don't realize is that lady's slippers are incredibly sensitive. They rely on a specific soil fungus to help their seeds germinate and grow. Because of this unique relationship, digging up or transplanting a wild lady's slipper almost always results in the plant's death.

If you're lucky enough to spot one while exploring the woods, the best way to enjoy it is to leave it right where it is and snap a photo instead. By respecting these remarkable flowers, we can help ensure they'll continue to bloom for generations to come.

Have you spotted any lady's slippers this spring? Share your photos in the comments! 🌿📸

05/31/2026

This sweet cow moose was a little shy at first because of her not-so-beautiful spring attire, but before long she found the confidence to step out where we could admire her. 🫎

This time of year, moose are molting — shedding their thick winter coats to make way for a sleek, shiny summer coat. It may look a little rough right now, but it won’t be long before they’re looking beautiful again!

One more amazing reminder that nature is always changing here in the Moosehead region.

05/27/2026

🫎 Moose Fact of the Week 🫎

Cow moose usually give birth in late May through early June here in Maine.

Most cows give birth to 1–2 calves after an 8-month pregnancy. Twins are actually pretty common when food conditions are good.

Newborn calves can weigh 25–35 pounds at birth and are on their feet within hours following mom through the Maine wilderness. This is an important learning time for calves as they stay close to their mothers to learn feeding habits, movement, and survival skills.