May 13, 2018 - Happy Mother's Day!

Our particular latitude of planet earth is robing itself in the color of new life as trees burst out to show off their new summer sportswear.  The drab hills of brown and gray, having passed mostly through the short crimson phase, have progressed to the lime-green of emergent leaves.

The lower trees tend to open their leaf buds first, as seen by these beech leaves which have escaped their long, thin buds.

Newborn beech leaves

And smaller red maples have done the same.

Red maple showing its true color before being masked by chlorophyll

Upstairs, the taller trees lag behind, but only by a few days this year as the sudden warm weather pushed all residents along in quick succession.

Tinges of red linger among the lime green

One doesn't have to look hard to find flowers among the trees this time of year, as many are wearing white flowers with their green leaves to recognize Mother's Day.

Shadbush (Downy Serviceberry)

After a cold and misty start early on this Mother's Day, the morning turned bright and mostly sunny here in the Lakes Region.

A misty start to the Mother's Day

So in observation of Mother's Day, here is a bouquet of birds and blossoms that made an appearance this week to honor all mothers.  Happy Mother's Day!

Daffodils at the Chemung State Cemetery

Painted Trillium in the Hamlin Conservation Area

An Ovenbird or "teacherbird" (Seiurus aurocapillus) visits the Harris Conservation Area

Azalea along Wicwood Shores Rd

Large-flowered Trillium also on Wicwood Shores Rd

A Common Yellowthroat sings in the Chemung State Forest

Common Violets are in many fields and roadsides

Love you mom!

September 3, 2017 - Lightning Strike II

After an impressive electrical storm hit the Lakes Region back on July 17th I took a look around for signs of strikes but didn't find anything.  Then this week, while doing trail work in the Hamlin Conservation Area, someone with a good eye noticed two trees with the sure marks of lightning.

I can't tell if these date from the July storm, but given their prominent location, I would guess they are from a more recent storm.  When struck, current takes a path down a tree just under the bark where there is the most moisture, providing the best electrical circuit - current always takes the path of least resistance.  The rapid heating due to the high current expands the moisture in the sap, instantly vaporizing the water, which blows the bark right off the tree.

Bark blown off the trunk (this is looking south, towards the trailhead)

Bark fragment on the ground doesn't show any signs of charring

The resulting long strip of exposed wood may or may not kill the tree; these strips, though long, are narrow so the tree may survive.  Lightning is fickle - these two trees are about 50 yards apart, and neither are the tallest in the area - why these particular trees?

They are easy to find if you want to see them for yourself.  They are just 0.1 miles from the trailhead kiosk, one right beside the trail on the right and the other just down the slope on the same side of the trail.  While you're in the area, walk down to the first trail intersection and see the freshly trimmed field there.

The Tuesday Trail crew clearing the old log yard.

You might come across some wild blackberries which are ripening now - look along the edges of sunny trails and wood roads.

Also be sure to keep an eye out on your travels for the late fall flowers that are blooming now.

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

Some of which have visitors.

Unidentified visitors

Black-eyed susan

With a Plume Moth (family Pterophoridae) 

Milkweed pod with Small Milkweed Bugs (Lygaeus kalmii)

You are also likely to see more signs of upcoming attractions;  lightning can't take them all out!

Female Common Yellowthroat  (Geothlypis trichas) at the edge of the swamp in the Chemung State Forest

May 14, 2017

Happy Mother's Day!

The world is unfurling around the lake just in time for Mother's Day, even if today wasn't very pretty. But the hills are turning green and whether you look high or low, buds are reaching out to find the sun.

The hills are alive with green

High above, trees are forming new leaves to gather in the sun's increasing energy.

Red Maple

Paper Birch

  And down at your feet ferns are unfurling fronds to do the same.

A Bracken Fern emerges

The warm weather this week brought out the black flies in force.  "Something Wild" did a story on the importance of black flies - you can listen to it here.  It doesn't make them any more tolerable, but at least it shows that we live in a healthy environment, and without them we wouldn't have the cheery sound of warblers and thrushes singing in springtime.

I saw this pretty Common Yellowthroat hopping around the bushes along the shore of the lake this week.

Common Yellowthroat (Geothylpis trichas)

I took the following picture two years ago, but I think of it whenever I get annoyed by black flies circling around my head - proof that something really does appreciate those little black tormentors.

A Yellow-rumped warbler reduces the count by one

Another of our distinguished summer residents has returned to New Hampshire:  the Osprey.  I saw my first of the season as it sped across the lake early one morning.

First Oprey sighting of the year

Only after I looked at the picture did I see that it was on a mission to avoid the eagles and find a safe spot to enjoy its breakfast after a successful morning fishing excursion.

Breakfast via air mail

The much larger Bald Eagle would be happy to steal a fish from a hard working osprey.

As larger species are putting out leaves, the smaller flowering trees continue to regale us with their spring display.

Hobblebush viburnum keeping things pretty

I'm looking forward to the lilac blooming, which will be our next performer, adorning the countryside with both color and aroma!

May 22, 2016

The first eggs of the season hatched at Lake Wicwas this week, those of the Canada Goose, which is appropriate since they are the first birds to arrive in the spring.  Earlier in the week there was a family of eight to ten Canada Geese crossing Route 104 just east of Cross Hatch Road, and yesterday a family of seven appeared on the lake. 

Look how much smaller one chick is than the others

And even though there are more than enough Geese in these parts it was still sad to see that one egg didn't make it.

Goose egg for breakfast

Finding this early one morning in the middle of a trail near the water makes me think a weasel was the lucky diner of fresh egg for breakfast. 

Land owners around the lake have taken steps to help curtail the excessive goose population by letting shoreline vegetation grow up.  Shoreline growth discourages geese from coming on the land - they love grassy areas as every park and golf course knows.  Beaches are also an invitation to geese, particularly now with little goslings in tow which have trouble negotiating a dense shoreline.  A natural shoreline helps prevent geese as well as soil erosion and nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.  Geese have few predators, and even fewer near human development.  But as they are redirected back to nesting in their natural habitat they will be more exposed to predators and the population will be better managed.

Most of our seasonal birds have now returned for their summer at the lake.  Still no news on any loon nesting, but I have seen several of our warblers hopping around in the trees, plucking worms and bugs off the new leaves, building energy to lay their eggs.

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat sing loudly in the morning sun

Birds aren't the only things returning for the summer - people are too!  Docks, rafts and boats are starting to appear around the lake.

It's starting to look like summer

I'm looking forward to seeing good friends again after many months away!

If you will be at the lake over the holiday weekend, be sure to take a short break from the spring time work to enjoy a walk in the woods;  there is plenty of beauty this time of year.

A relative of rhododendron, Rhodora bloom near the water

You'll find Trillium in the woods - there are several along the Yellow Trail in the Hamlin Conservation Area

Wild strawberry grows in most any sunny spot

There are beautiful animals as well;  this week I was treated to my first deer sighting in some time.

Any doubts about why they call this a "white tail"?

As usual, it spotted me before I noticed it.  It started snorting and stomping as it stared me down. 

After a minute or two of this it decided to bound behind a few small trees.

These guys sure can jump

But it stopped there and continued to watch me, while another deer, invisible in the thicket, joined in the snorting. 

I went on my way, leaving them to enjoy the peaceful morning, savoring their breakfast at Bistro Wicwas - a table with a view.

Morning on the lake