Lupines, Lupinus polyphyllus, have naturalized all over Maine. They are not natives, but transplants from the west and have, like lilacs, become a beloved spring flower, spawning festivals, tourists, photographers, painters, and a few uncouth roadside plantnappers.
Unfortunately, they are muscling out our native lupine, Lupinus perennis, which among other things provides habitat or food for several 
kinds of butterflies, including the rare and lovely Karner Blue Butterfly. I would plant some of the natives at Henbogle, but lupines prefer deep, sandy soil of low fertility, which is exactly what I do not have here, so my efforts would be wasted.
Nonetheless, the nonnative lupines are lovely and have become a needed economic driver in Maine. In these photos, they are blooming in the fields around our town transfer station. Where else can you find a transfer station, aka dump, this lovely I ask? Only in Maine.
June 9, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Ah maine, where even the dumps are beautiful…
June 9, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Never knew that about the lupines!
June 10, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Ali, I’m going to miss your posts while you’re gone. :-(
June 10, 2012 at 10:18 pm
That really is a beautiful dump! Lupines of many kinds grew wild in central Washington when we lived there, but are not something I see much of now that I live in the wetter/cooler part of the state.
June 11, 2012 at 10:16 am
A transfer station with a view! On another subject…I know you will soon be leaving on your trip. Bon voyage and safe travels! Will you be posting on the road? If not, look forward to reading your blog when you return.