Granite ledges surround a spruce forest, an abundance of beach roses, and a small meadow area on Bill's Island, one of many granite islands in the Merchant Row archipelago. Bill's Island rests in the southern part of the archipelago, just north of Isle au Haut, in the eastern part of the Penobscot Bay. It's a short, easy hike around the perimeter of this 5 acre, picturesque island, open to the public, and maintained by Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

From Maine Coast Heritage Trust's online publication documenting the history of Islands in the Merchant Row Archipelago:

"Named after William Barter, an early settler of Isle au Haut, this 5-acre island was likely used for sheep-grazing from the early 19th century until 1965 (when the last sheep were removed). A small camp constructed in the 1960s on the island was removed in 2010 and was reused on Isle au Haut (with the unwanted portion burned). Bill's Island came to Maine Coast Heritage Trust in 2005 through a gift from the estate of Mary M.B. (Polly) Wakefield (whose family had strong ties to Isle au Haut) who had wanted the island remain a natural haven."

http://www.mcht.org/preserves/docs/Merchant%20Row%20History.pdf

Here are some photos of Bill's Island from a recent trip in early September.

A small sand beach at low tide

Rose hips and lobster buoys, with just a few beach roses still in bloom

Granite rock formations

Sign of impending autumn; aster sprouting from a rock crevice

The edge of the spruce forest and welcome sign

Nearby Mark Island Lighthouse