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This image reminded me of Andrew Wyeth. Allen Island is just to the out of Metinic.

Recently I went with a group of 10 people associated with the Straw Farm in Newcastle to herd sheep and rams on Metinic and Ram Island about 5 miles off the coast of Sprucehead, Maine. It was such a great, though exhausting experience. Sheep are not exactly what I would call easy animals. In total I am guessing I walked and ran close to 20 miles over the weekend. I even had to carry one a 1/2 mile. Much of this walking was on rocks and in swamps. A total of 63 sheep and 9 rams were brought back to the main land for both processing (ie food) and health reasons. About the same number were left on the islands to winter. In the summer the herd keeps the grasses down to cut fire danger and in the winter they eat a good amount of seaweed that washes ashore.

Each island in Maine is so very differnt and it was great to spend some time on yet another. Looking forward to going back and get a little more painting done on that trip.

 The sheep after a drive in the main coral on the island.

 Only a few retired lobstermen live on the island in the summer.

The railway so they can work on their boats and pull larger things ashore.

 The island was very low growth due to winter winds with very thick and stumpy trees. Lots of bayberry for sheep to hide away too.