Kylie + Max

Bowerbird Photography October 17, 2016

"Shakira!!! That's Shakira!" As this couple vacationed in Ibiza, Spain they had to evade star-struck and somewhat confused locals who took "Max" and "Kylie" for just their pseudonyms. Despite the paparazzi, they had a great time. Max proposed to Kylie on a perfect length of beach, she said, "Yes," and they returned to the bay to continue celebrating their engagement. We were so excited to be able to take their engagement photos. This time, tourists played it cool, running over to take quick photos of this gorgeous couple from a distance, before scampering off. Their radiant charisma seems to come from the electric chemistry they share and their big hearts of gold -- fate has brought together a perfect match of two incredibly kind, loving people -- it is not surprising that they are frequently mistaken for stars for all the joy they exude.

We first met Kylie though the wedding industry world, having had such a great time photographing weddings at the Winery SF where she and Max worked. They have helped so many couples create the weddings of their dreams. We are so happy to be able to be able to serve them now and help them celebrate their love, and take their engagement photos as they get closer to their big day.

Enjoy these official photos of dream couple, Kylie and Max, shining stars in their own right, as they take a lover's stroll from the Palace of Fine Arts to the beach by Crissy Field.

Palace of Fine Arts Engagement Photography © Bowerbird Photography

Crissy Field Engagement Photography © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Crissy Field Engagement Photography with Golden Gate Bridge © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Grace Cathedral Wedding and Julia Morgan Ballroom Reception // Mo + Ryan

Bowerbird Photography October 12, 2016

Mo and Ryan have traveled the world together, exploring the waters and reefs of Australia and hiking Japan's Mt. Fuji for an epic proposal. They're a perfect team of adventurers. On their wedding day, the world came to them. Their friends and family traveled to San Francisco, gathering together for a joyous weekend to celebrate their love.

On a sunny September day, the couple got ready in their respective rooms at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. Ryan was poised, on point, ready to go: with a tweak of his bowtie, he was dressed way before any of his six groomsmen. Mo relaxed in her silk bride's robe, lounging with the gals on the bed, swapping jokes and sipping champagne, before stepping into her gorgeous wedding gown.

Groom prep. Wedding photos at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Groom prep. Wedding photos at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Groom prep featuring crisp monogrammed cuffs. Wedding photos at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Groom prep featuring crisp monogrammed cuffs. Wedding photos at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mark Hopkins Hotel groom wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Mark Hopkins Hotel groom wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

That dress! Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — That dress! Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep bridal party photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep bridal party photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mom helps the bride put on her stunning wedding dress. Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Mom helps the bride put on her stunning wedding dress. Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mark Hopkins Hotel wedding prep photos. All the pretty details. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The groom's team at Huntington Park. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The groom's team at Huntington Park. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

It's all about to start! Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — It's all about to start! Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Ready. Set. Go! Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and her entourage embark from the Mark to Grace. © Bowerbird Photography 2016. — The bride and her entourage embark from the Mark to Grace. © Bowerbird Photography 2016.

Entering the vaulted ceiling of Grace Cathedral, one can't help but feel lifted by the grand space. The light was subdued, and the stain glass windows softly glowed from above. The bride entered with her dad, walking directly across the cathedral's Chartres labyrinth, her aim straight and true for her groom down the aisle.

Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. . © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. . © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Usher meets guests at Grace Cathedral.  © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Usher meets guests at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Ushering with style. Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Ushering with style. Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Vestments. Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Vestments. Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The flower girls are adorable! Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The flower girls are adorable! Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. The bride's entrance. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Wedding photos at Grace Cathedral. The bride's entrance. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Grace Cathedral, SF. The groom sees his bride for the first time down the aisle. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Grace Cathedral, SF. The groom sees his bride for the first time down the aisle. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Grace Cathedral, SF, for a majestic wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Grace Cathedral, SF, for a majestic wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and groom at Grace Cathedral , SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The bride and groom at Grace Cathedral , SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

After a beautiful ceremony, and a small detour to pick up more champagne for the thirsty bridal party, the limo parked at the SF Botanical Garden for couple's photos. With its diverse plant collection and varied foliage, from maple leaves to palm fronds, the bride and groom looked as if they traveled the world in a few short steps. Beautiful backgrounds for a stunning couple!

The couple kiss in front of San Francisco's iconic cable cars. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The couple kiss in front of San Francisco's iconic cable cars. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Champagne in the limo © Bowerbird Photography 2016

A portrait of the bride. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bridesmaids at the SF Botanical Garden © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The groomsmen at the SF Botanical Garden © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The crowd goes cray-zy with that kiss, SF Botanical Garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The SF Botanical Gardens serve as a beautiful backdrop for the couples photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

She got her guy! Wedding photos at the SF Botanical Garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

SF Botanical Garden wedding couple's photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. Here the bride and groom in a tropical paradise! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Perfection! SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Perfection! SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Romance under the trees. SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

An ideal couple in an idyllic spot. SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — An ideal couple in an idyllic spot. SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Genuine, unabashed joy! SF Botanical Garden wedding photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The Julia Morgan Ballroom is a sumptuously elegant space for a wedding reception with its stone fireplaces, contoured ceilings, and hardwood paneled walls. After the cocktail hour, the bride and groom made a grand entrance transitioning to a beautiful first dance. Toasts and dinner followed. The mood was jubilant: the bride and groom's joy was contagious. Dancing was unrestrained and celebratory. Even Mo's grandmother was coaxed onto the dance floor to show off her moves. The guests were game for anything: the conga line, the Italian chicken dance, the electric slide.... bring it on! It was such a pleasure to see families and friends coming together and dancing. Everyone was moving with such enthusiasm and love in their hearts for the couple. Mo + Ryan, danced together, in the whirling center, pausing only to kiss.

The Julia Morgan Ballroom has a grand entrance, but the bride and groom definitely make it swoon-worthy! © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The Julia Morgan Ballroom has a grand entrance, but the bride and groom definitely make it swoon-worthy! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Julia Morgan Ballroom, detail of wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Julia Morgan Ballroom, detail of wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Everything perfectly laid out at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Purple, Blue, and Red. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Everything perfectly laid out at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Purple, Blue, and Red. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The table layout at the Julia Morgan Ballroom is beautiful! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Julia Morgan Ballroom cocktail hour. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Julia Morgan Ballroom cocktail hour. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

First dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — First dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Mom's wedding toast!  Julia Morgan Ballroom, wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Mom's wedding toast! Julia Morgan Ballroom, wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Dad's wedding toast!  Julia Morgan Ballroom, wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Dad's wedding toast! Julia Morgan Ballroom, wedding reception photos. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

This is what a reception at the Julia Morgan Ballroom looks like. Dining to the nines! © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — This is what a reception at the Julia Morgan Ballroom looks like. Dining to the nines! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Photo with Grandma. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Photo with Grandma. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

These little girls were ready to dance. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — These little girls were ready to dance. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Sister's toast. Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Sister's toast. Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and groom enjoy their meal at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The bride and groom enjoy their meal at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Groomsman's toast at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Groomsman's toast at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

At the Julia Morgan Ballroom, the bride and groom cut their wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — At the Julia Morgan Ballroom, the bride and groom cut their wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

These kids can't wait for their turn to try some wedding cake, at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — These kids can't wait for their turn to try some wedding cake, at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and her dad dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The bride and her dad dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The groom and his mom dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The groom and his mom dance at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Everybody's excited that Grandma wants to dance with the bride! Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Everybody's excited that Grandma wants to dance with the bride! Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Everybody's shaking it on the dance floor. Julia Morgan Ballroom in SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Everybody's shaking it on the dance floor. Julia Morgan Ballroom in SF. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and groom shake their groove thang at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The bride and groom shake their groove thang at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Everyone wants to get a chance to drink to the couple!  © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Everyone wants to get a chance to drink to the couple! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Late night dancing at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The dancing don't stop!  © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The dancing don't stop! © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Bouquet toss at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Bouquet toss at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Garter toss at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Garter toss at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

The bride and groom fuel up on the dance floor with some Veuve Clicquot at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — The bride and groom fuel up on the dance floor with some Veuve Clicquot at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Hi-jinks ensue with the bride and groom on the dance floor at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Hi-jinks ensue with the bride and groom on the dance floor at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Dancing like there ain't no tomorrow, and letting it all shine out! At the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Dancing like there ain't no tomorrow, and letting it all shine out! At the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

When you love dancing and are dancing for love! At the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — When you love dancing and are dancing for love! At the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Gotta kiss it to believe it! They are married!!!! Late night dancing at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Gotta kiss it to believe it! They are married!!!! Late night dancing at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Congratulations Mo + Ryan!!! You are both extraordinary: talented, hard-working, hard-playing, and clearly meant for one another. May your happiness and love continue to shine bright and inspire us all.

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel (Bowerbird Photography)

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: Chelsea Events & Floral Design, Chelsea Bowman Wonnell

Reception Venue & Catering: Julia Morgan Ballroom

Ceremony Location: Grace Cathedral

Wedding Prep Location: Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel

Florist: Floramor

Videography: Thomas Hughes Films, with Foster Chen

DJ/Sound: Verducci Event Productions

Cake/Dessert: Jasmine Rae Cakes

Photo Booth: Verducci Event Productions

Transportation: Best Way Limosines

Makeup + Hair: Belle By Marine, Taylor Monroe

Suit: Spoon Tailor

Wedding Dress: Bridal Galleria

6th Annual St. Ignatius Wine Classic at The Boschetto Private Estate in Kenwood

Bowerbird Photography September 20, 2016

It's always great to reconnect with alumni and teachers at the St. Ignatius Wine Classic at The Boschetto Private Estate in Kenwood. This year it was steamy hot, but everyone seemed super content to sip on wine under the shade of an umbrella. Shooting event photography is seriously the best sometimes, because check out how we got to spend the weekend! Not bad, right?

Saluti!

6th Annual St. Ignatius Wine Classic at The Boschetto Private Estate in Kenwood. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Baby Remi and Big Brother Niko// Newborn and Family Photographers in San Francisco

Bowerbird Photography September 19, 2016

There is so much joy and celebration when a new baby arrives! We loved going to Marie + Justin's home in San Francisco to meet their darling new addition, Remi, and photograph her older brother Niko, who ran circles around us. We had so much fun documenting the wonderful moments of tenderness, play, and love shared among them.

Dogpatch San Francisco Family Newborn Photographer © Bowerbird Photography

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Photo Diary // Traveling with Baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine

Bowerbird Photography September 12, 2016

As wedding photographers we are lucky to be able to travel the world, with clients spanning the globe. We recently photographed Katherine + Danny's wedding in Bar Harbor, Maine and stayed a few extra days to explore and photograph the beautiful island of Mt. Desert and Acadia National Park. We had so much fun traveling with our baby girl Juniper (ok, she's really a toddler now but it's all so new that we still - and probably always will - call her our baby!). The island is an ideal destination for a family vacation. Below, we share our travel tips and destination recommendations via photo diary. We hope you enjoy this magical little island as much as we did. Enjoy :)

Day One

Our flight was super delayed and we got into Bangor, Maine around 2.30am, then drove in the early morning hours to Bar Harbor. Juniper was still on West Coast time and totally slept in the next day (we did too!), so we got a late start on our first day. All we wanted to do was picnic and swim, and just five minutes from our cottage was the most wonderful hidden gem, Lakewood Pond. One reason it may be infrequently visited is that the park map doesn't show a road that leads to it. Take Crooked Road to Lakewood Road and you are there.

It is actually a very large lake in Acadia National Park, but it was not crowded at all and the water felt like a bathtub! We have never swam in such a warm lake and ended up staying the whole day, picking wild blueberries, taking a mini hike around the lake and watching little fogs hop about. While kids enjoy the nice pebbly beach, we watched adventurous teenagers hike around the bend to a diving spot over a little cliff. Lakewood was one of our favorite chill out spots in Acadia and we ended up going back two more times! Truly a perfect summer spot!

Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Day Two

Well rested and up early, this was our big adventure day on Mt. Desert Island! We started in the morning with a swim at Echo Lake Beach. This is totally the family hang scene! It was packed with swimmers, snackers and splashers. Be ready for crowds! After lunch, Juniper was ready for a nap, so we put her in the Ergo and went for a hike on Beech Mountain, taking us up and up for stunning views of Echo Lake below. Once Juniper woke up, we hopped back in the car for a five minute drive to Southwest Harbor (the island is tiny, and it only takes about ten minutes here and five minutes there to get from place to place, which we especially loved since Juniper is not the biggest fan of the car!). We stopped for finger-licking good wild blueberry ice cream at Quietside Cafe and popped into the local library so Juniper could devour a few books as well -- she's a super bookworm. Then we continued to the most southern point of the island to the iconic Bass Harbor Point Lighthouse, which also has a beautiful trail shooting off from it, covered with blueberries to pick. At sunset, we started to head back, but got sucked in by all the beautiful scenery and persuaded to stop at the natural Seawall, where Juniper splashed in the tide pools, played with seaweed and even got to see some beavers in the adjacent lake.

Echo Lake Beach, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Echo Lake Beach, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Beech Mountain Trail, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Beech Mountain Trail, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Quietside Cafe, Southwest Harbor. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Quietside Cafe, Southwest Harbor. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Southwest Harbor Library, Mt. Desert, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Southwest Harbor Library, Mt. Desert, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Seawall, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Seawall, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Seawall Acadia. Beavers swimming at sunset.Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Seawall Acadia. Beavers swimming at sunset.Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Day Three

Wedding day! We didn't need to be at the farm until the late afternoon, so we packed a picnic and headed back to Lakewood Pond for a morning swim and soak in the sun, then put on our fancy wedding duds in the parking lot. Have never headed to a wedding shoot so wonderfully relaxed and refreshed as we did in Maine :)

Lake Wood Pond, Acadia. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Lake Wood Pond, Acadia. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Day Four

Acadia National Park has a fantastic free bus service that goes all over the island. Since Juniper does not dig the car, we thought it would be fun to explore via bus for a whole day :) We started by parking at the visitor center and headed for the classic park loop, with our first stop at Sand Beach. There was heavy fog but it was still surprisingly warm, which meant Juniper was happy in her swimsuit and sweater to take a dip in the frigid waters! Then it was time for a nap, so we meandered down the coastal trail to Thunder Hole, then we hopped back on a bus for Jordan Pond. Wowza - Jordan Pond was gorgeous!! It was crazy hard not to go swimming in it (it's not allowed) and Juniper tried with all her might to "fall in." So worth a visit and there are many little beach side coves along the perimeter which are perfect for a picnic.

Our friends Merritt + Brian had told us about this AMAZING book store called The Naturalist's Notebook in Seal Harbor. It was along our route so we made a stop! Sadly, the bookstore was being renovated, but Seal Harbor was one of the most beautiful villages on the island and we were so happy we stopped for a visit, which of course included a dip in the ocean, no matter that it was totally foggy out :) If you go, check out the bookstore. It's supposed to be wonderful for kiddos and grownups alike.

Sand Beach, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Sand Beach, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Seal Harbor, Mt. Desert Island. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Seal Harbor, Mt. Desert Island. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Day Five

We woke up to a big storm, so we kept our plans flexible to accommodate the weather. We started the day exploring the town of Bar Harbor, which was packed with tourists buying wooden ducks and eating ice cream. We took a dip and left pretty quickly, heading south in search of lobster. On our way, we randomly chose a hike called Wonderland (it's near the Seawall Campground), and it ended up being our favorite mini hike on this trip! The trail rambled through a variety of ecosystems, ending at a lovely beach scattered with countless colorful shells (read -- hours of entertainment for babies and kids!). And Sam got a kick out of impersonating John Mayer (much to mama's distress!) and singing, "Your trail is a wonderland" the entire walk ;) Wind swept and hungry, we stopped for a lobster dinner at The Upper Deck in Southwest Harbor, dipping seafood in butter while watching the clouds turn colors into the evening.

Bar Harbor, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Bar Harbor, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Wonderland Trail, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Wonderland Trail, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Lobster dinner at The Upper Deck, Southwest Harbor, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Lobster dinner at The Upper Deck, Southwest Harbor, Maine. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

Day Six

It was time to fly back to California, but not without one last swim at Lakewood Pond! Can you tell? We liked this swimming hole a lot. Maine was so wonderful and we hope to go back again soon, and to take Juniper on more adventures in this beautiful, blueberry landscape!

Lake Wood Pond, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016 — Lake Wood Pond, Acadia National Park. Traveling with baby in Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine. © Bowerbird Photography 2016

This last photo, above, is Juniper (mouth full, lips blue) making the sign for "blueberry" in ASL. Ahh... blueberry memories!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam + Juniper