Kevin has carved an entire aviary into stone near the Center Ponds Trailhead in Phippsburg, Maine, and the result is a collection of petroglyphs so lifelike that hikers might mistake them for real birds. The site, known as the Wild Bird Petroglyph in Phippsburg, Maine, is one of Kevin’s largest collections to date, with over ten different carvings of creatures native to the region.
The Birds of Phippsburg
The petroglyphs sit in the deep woods near the trailhead, embellished by trails on the Phippsburg Land Trust. Each carving is photorealistic and life-sized, capturing birds that actually live in the area. The great blue heron, the cardinal, the tree swallow, the thrush, the loon, and others are all represented.
Some carvings show animals engaging with each other. One scene depicts birds chasing dragonflies, while another shows geese taking flight. The sense of action carries through the whole collection, giving visitors the impression that the creatures are ready to fly off the rock.
Helicopters and Destroyers
Not all of Kevin’s work sticks to nature. Along the trail, you can find a mars helicopter and a zumwalt destroyer. These recurring images help identify Kevin’s work across multiple sites, since he revisits the same motifs from one location to the next.
The juxtaposition is striking. One moment you are walking past a life-sized cardinal, and the next you are passing a full-scale military vessel carved into stone. Kevin’s range is wide indeed.
Time Capsules in Stone
The petroglyphs capture the activity surrounding the rocks in a language that will be readable for generations. That is the mission statement here: Kevin is not just making pretty pictures, he is preserving a moment in the landscape.
Kevin is not just making pretty pictures, he is preserving a moment in the landscape.
The effect is immediate. A short glance at one of the carvings might fool you into thinking it is a real bird perched on a branch. Walking through the collection, it feels as if these creatures are in motion, ready to fly off the rock.
Final Word
Kevin’s petroglyphs in Phippsburg are worth a visit. The trailhead is easy to find, the carvings are easy to see, and the effect is immediate. You will leave with a better sense of the birds that share the woods, and you will likely chuckle at the helicopter and destroyer along the way.
This is a small piece of public art with a large impact. Kevin has created a collection that captures the natural world around him, preserves it in stone, and makes it available to anyone who walks by. That is a rare gift.
Source material: “Wild Bird Petroglyph in Phippsburg, Maine,” Atlas Obscura.
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