PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT
South Portland, Maine
The Portland Head Light is a very grand looking lighthouse. Located in the immaculate Fort Williams State Park, it sits perched on a rock outcropping with a majestic countenance. This was the second lighthouse I saw in Maine and nearly the last. I had just finished seeing Spring Point Ledge Light at sunrise and here I was in Fort Williams at 7:30 AM. Nobody was around except for some folks fishing down on the rocks by the water. I walked around and took photos from many angles. As you can see, the best time to photograph this lighthouse is not in the early morning when the sun is coming up in the background. But then I didn't have to wait on people to move out of my photos. Now, one thing I must tell you about Fort Williams State Park before the lighthouse museum opens - there are no pay phones around anywhere. SO don't lock your keys in the rental car without your cell phone in hand. And just to ease your pain if you do, turn right when you walk out of the park. You'll reach a pay phone much quicker. The trick is walking back fast enough before the AAA guy gets there.
I went back to Maine just this past March, got snowed on, but had a great weekend of weather prior and saw 28 lighthouses. This time I didn't lock my keys in the car and I had the sun shining on the front of the house and tower.
This one is an oldie. Erected back in 1790 and first lit on January 10th, 1791, the original tower still remains today, over two hundred years old. The tower stands 80 feet tall which places its focal plane at 101 feet over the rocky shoreline below. There has been a modern optic in the lantern room since 1991. You can see Ram Island Ledge lighthouse from the back railing and on an extremely clear day, which this second time was, you can even see Halfway Rock Lighthouse with your naked eye.
Here's how I saw it:
PHL1
PHL2
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PHL5
PHL6
PHL7
PHL8
PHL9
PHL10
PHL11
OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001