Friday Fotos is back! Back after the technical issue of a crashed photo editing program and my subsequent foot dragging on deciding on a new program.
This reboot celebrates a fixture that Cora and I saw almost everywhere we went in the beautiful state of Maine. It’s quintessential Maine. It’s a tool that can be used as a unique, colorful ornament and it symbolizes one of Maine’s most popular culinary contributions – lobster. It’s the lobsterman’s buoy.
The buoy is attached to a lobster trap or set of traps and marks the spot where a lobsterman has placed his traps. The distinctive colors and patterns of the buoy identify its owner. Each lobsterman’s buoy has his own distinct color pattern. Think of it as an aquatic version of a cattle brand. Not only must the buoy display a distinct color pattern but the owner’s fishing boat must also display the same color pattern. The color design can be displayed on the hull’s two sides.
To see lobster buoys in Maine you don’t have to go to the docks. Mainers use them as ornaments and you can see the buoys hanging out just about anywhere; at restaurants, storefronts, from trees, lampposts, mailbox posts and porches. I’ve even seen them made into birdhouses. And they make for colorful photo subjects!
I got the lowdown on lobsterman’s buoys from the website Lobster Anywhere. If you want to learn more follow the link to their article Lobster Buoys Mark the Spot.
Separated by the same language.
Is it Buoys will be BOYS or Boo-oys, Boo-ies ?
Just wondering if the British pronunciation degenerated to b’oy. while your lot retained the original.
Just a change from moaning about Brexit.
Regards,Peter.
According to a few dictionaries there seems to be some wiggle room as regards the pronunciation. Apparently both pronunciations are accepted. Without looking up the etymology of the word I couldn’t say if the original pronunciation was ˈbü-ē and the dictionary editors, after the wide usage of ˈbȯi, simply decided to punt and allow both. From Merriam-Webster:
buoy noun
\ ˈbü-ē , ˈbȯi \
1 : FLOAT sense 2
especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water
You have Brexit – I have Trump. Which is worse?
Really cool — I had no idea. Definitely need to drive up to Maine and see them for myself.
Thank you for visiting my site and commenting. Yes they are very cool. The only thing that seems more prevalent is blueberry stands – and lobsters.
One thing about buoy is that the pronunciation (boo-ee) in the USA doesn’t sound at like the way the word is spelled. But the same can be said about countless words. See ya!
Neil Scheinin
According to a few dictionaries there seems to be some wiggle room as regards the pronunciation. Apparently both pronunciations are accepted. Without looking up the etymology of the word I couldn’t say if the original pronunciation was ˈbü-ē and the dictionary editors, after the wide usage of ˈbȯi, simply decided to punt and allow both. From Merriam-Webster:
buoy noun
\ ˈbü-ē , ˈbȯi \
1 : FLOAT sense 2
especially, nautical : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (such as a shoal) lying under the water
And don’t forget all the buoy magnets, jewelry, lawn ornaments, etc. for sale along with the ubiquitous lobster paraphernalia. 😉
We usually do get Christmas ornaments at our travel destinations and buoy tree ornament would have been a good idea. That didn’t happen this year due to the unfortunate circumstances of our trip. Next year maybe!
In a million years I never would have known what those were! 🙂
To be quite honest I wouldn’t have either but for the fact Fodor’s mentions them in one of their travel guides. Thank you for visiting.
Great pics
Thank you Luisa.
Really enjoying your blog. It’s nice to meet you! 🙂
Likewise nice to meet you. Thank you so much for visiting. I’m glad you enjoy my site.
Ive visited your blog several times. Love it.
Absolutely great pics. i love these
Thank you Robert and thank you for visiting. Driving through Maine you see those buoys just about everywhere.
You are welcome Paulie.