HodgePodgeImages: Solo Time at Laudholm Farm - Wells National Estuary Research Reserve

April 10, 2026

Back in 2010, when I was unemployed, I volunteered 8 hours one day a week at Laudholm Farm. Nancy was the volunteer coordinator at the time and she would generally schedule me to work in the morning with the research team and in the afternoon either working on mailings or sitting in the parking lot kiosk. Over the years, I continued volunteering during events like the Craft Festival and Punkinfiddle, and spending time on the trails taking pictures.

More recently, when I spend a day adventuring, I like to bring Mattie, my dog. Laudholm does not allow dogs so I would usually go elsewhere. Last Saturday I had my Geology class in the morning so found myself with an empty afternoon near Wells without a dog, so my cameras and I took a meander.

I am trying to learn the important new features of both my new cameras before bug photography season begins. I chose my favorite loop, starting down the Muskie Trail, then returning via the Pilger Trail, Laudholm Connector, and Knight Trail. I moved at a slow pace stopping frequently to take photos and soak in the surroundings. The entire walk covered about two miles and took me around four hours; it was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

Rockin' Robin

This trail begins at the main farmhouse’s wraparound porch, crossing the lawn before heading over the road. During most of the year, this lawn leads into a wildflower-filled field, including milkweed, but early spring leaves the landscape pretty bare, making this part of the walk feel a bit dull. Robins were busy hunting along the stone wall, and I noticed an old sugar maple tree that’s seen better days. Someone has planted a couple of memorial trees nearby, preparing to take the place of the elder tree.

After crossing the quiet road, I entered what I think of as the tunnel—a stretch lined with red maples, pin cherry, and alder trees, with a small stream flowing on the left. The path here is straight, perhaps with an old water pipe running underneath, and it just makes me happy.

Next, the trail veers left onto a boardwalk that crosses a wet meadow. Ferns, cotton grass, and tiny trails branching off suggest that critters frequent this area. I’ve even spotted cranberries here, with their delicate pink flowers—a favorite of mine. The trail then turns northeast, running along the edge of a hayfield, with dense shrubbery on the right and glimpses of an old fence. I often stop here to watch birds or butterflies, though on this day, not much was moving.

Coyote Scat

Continuing northeast, the trail skirts the forest, which is often damp and covered with moss or boardwalk. To the right, a wooded swamp is part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. I’ve been listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, “Gathering Moss,” and enjoyed examining the lush green moss and lichen up close—perfect macro photography material before bugs become active.

The Muskie Trail ends at an intersection with the Pilger Trail. I always turn right here to walk across the edge of the salt marsh on a boardwalk that leads to the Webhannet Estuary overlook. In the past, I’ve sat on the bench watching geese and egrets across the river, but today was quiet. The trail passes through tall phragmite grass, which can be a little intimidating when it’s right at the edge of the boards, but today it had been trimmed back.

Phragmites Grass

Webhannet Salt Marsh

After visiting the overlook, I returned to the forest, where the trail is lined with highbush blueberry and huckleberry bushes. For some reason these bushes tend to stay ripe a little later in the season and I have often stopped to snack in the fall.

Wrigglers? aka Mosquito Larvae

Yeah, this is just a root but I thought it looked like an iguana

The Pilger Trail then winds through drier forest with white pines. This day I was hearing the tree frogs sing and stopped several times for several minutes to try to observe them, but I wasn’t successful.

The trail then skirts the same meadow we saw earlier, leading back through an apple orchard. I took a left onto the Laudholm Connector, heading uphill toward the Knight Trail. Along this stretch, the shrubs are a great spot for birdwatching.

Crow

One new discovery was a memorial area with trees, benches, and dedication plaques, including one honoring those who lost their lives during COVID. Ornaments like lobsters and cardinals hang on some of the trees.

At the top of the ridge where we connect to the Knight Trail, there’s an observation station with a copper beech tree planted during a time when I visited more often. I love the sign that reminds me that this ridge marks the boundary between the Little River and Webhannet watersheds.

Walking across the ridge back toward the barn, my mind fills with images of the past: parked cars, happy visitors, colorful kites, and a horse-drawn hayride. The Craft Festival is still going strong, even though I no longer lead hikes or sell lobster rolls. Still, I do miss Punkinfiddle, which was always a highlight of fall.

As I headed home, I felt grateful for the day off and the chance to reconnect with this special place. It’s amazing how a simple walk can refresh the mind and spirit, especially in a setting as beautiful and familiar as Laudholm Farm. I look forward to returning soon, camera in hand, to capture more of its quiet beauty and maybe discover something new along the way.