The Naturalist's Notebook Maine

03/10/2024

The Naturalist’s Notebook is closed for a break. We look forward to reopening later in Spring!

03/10/2024

Back open til 5pm, 3/10

03/10/2024

No power in Seal Harbor this morning. We’ll post here if we’re able to reopen later today. Also, rt3 will likely be flooded at the Seal Harbor Beach and Bracy Cove from 10:30-12:30. Avoid the area during that time.

03/01/2024

The Naturalist’s Notebook has a great selection of children’s books in our Seal Harbor shop and on our website. Hear some of them read aloud this Sunday, March 3rd, 10:30 - 11:15am, during our free storytime event. Best suited for kids aged 3-5 (accompanied by an adult), but everyone is welcome!

02/27/2024

This Sunday, March 3rd, 10:30am - 11:15pm, enjoy some of The Naturalist's Notebook's favorite children's books read aloud by our friend Cameron! Songs and activities too! Kids should be accompanied by an adult, and the stories are best suited for kids aged 3 - 5yrs, but all ages are welcome to this free event! Registration is not required, but send us a message to let us know you're coming so we can anticipate group size!

02/23/2024

You can find Carl Safina’s book at The Naturalist’s Notebook! We’re open 10am - 5pm, Friday through Sunday.

Best-selling author and ecologist Carl Safina has made a career out of his deep explorations of the animal world. But his recent relationship with a rescued owl caused him to go even deeper.

02/22/2024

Hmmmm... what do you think these marks in the snow are?
Matt Haviland is joining us for a Wildlife Track & Sign Walk on Sunday 2/25, from 10am-12pm at The Naturalist's Notebook. We'll explore the Seal Harbor Village Green and Beach, learning to recognize signs, interpreting clues, and discussing the winter behaviors of local fauna. No snow? No problem! We've never been let down by the secretive but active creatures of Seal Harbor. Come see for yourself! Visit our website or send us a message to register. This program is geared toward adults, but families are welcome. And as always, you can find books and tools to facilitate exploration at The Naturalist's Notebook! We're open 10am-5pm, Friday through Sunday all winter.

02/16/2024

We’re celebrating World Whale Day at The Naturalist’s Notebook this Sunday, 2/18. All whale products will be 25% off in shop. Whale books on our website are 25% off with discount code WHALE, now through Sunday.

Many whale species are struggling to survive because of human activities. We need to work together to find solutions that will reduce harm and allow us to cohabitate with wildlife. What are your ideas for protecting our nature neighbors? 🐋

02/11/2024

World Whale Day is Sunday, February 18th. All whale-related products in shop are 25% off that day. And "The Eye of the Whale" and "Mark Carwardine's Guide to Whale Watching in North America" are 25% off in our online shop now through 2/18 with discount code WHALE.

Not sure you're a whale enthusiast? Well, here are some whale facts to pique your interest:

Reaching up to 98 feet in length, the Blue Whaleis not only the largest animal on earth, it may be the largest animal ever to have existed! The smallest whale, the Toothed Dwarf S***m Whale, is only about 7 feet long. This species is unique amongst whales as being the only one to produce an ink-like blackish liquid that, similar to squid, it expels when startled to distract predators (like Killer Whales and Great White Sharks).

The ancestors of whales were four-legged land animals!

Bile ducts in the intestines of S***m Whales produce a substance known as ambergris. There is some disagreement amongst scientists as to whether this waxy substance is expelled as puke or p**p. Regardless, it was extremely valuable as a perfume for hundreds of years!

Learn more at The Naturalist’s Notebook, 16 Main Street, Seal Harbor. Open 10-5 Fri-Sunday all winter.

02/10/2024

Tomorrow, Sunday 2/11 from 10:30am - 11:15am, we have a free storytime event geared toward 3 - 5 year olds (all ages are welcome!). Cameron will be reading aloud and leading some silly songs. Manager Jordan is very proud of her recycled cardboard lobster trap, which will figure into an activity accompanying the book “Lobstah Gahden.” It’s gonna be fun!