Three April Days in the Woods, 2018

THURSDAY

Thursday, April 19.
Enough already.

FRIDAY

Much better.  Getting warmer, 
but still enough snow for skiing in the woods.

Making tracks up the hill across the road from our camp.
This landmark is "Chaz Rock."
At the age of 13, he leapt from the top
into the pile of snow below.
It's higher than it looks.

More tracks.
Someone has been using the trail.

The ski tips indicate another turkey will soon follow.

The feather caught in the crotch of a twig
draws attention as it flutters in the wind.

No turkey, this one.

Same trail, different traveller.  Perhaps a raccoon.

Looking back down the hill,
sidestepping ski tracks show the route.

The north side of the ridge holds its snow longer.
It's great to be in the woods when all the leaves are down
because the lay of the land becomes much more apparent.

Soon to be replaced with a new crop.

But no new leaves until these dripsicles are completely gone.

Looks like a squirrel was here first.

Looking down from the ridgetop to the bend in the stream.

Don't step past the first big rock.
The second one is more than 100 feet below.

A bolder man might wake boulder man,
but I let him slumber.

Could it be that the Olmecs once pushed this far north?

Be careful to pick your line so that you stay on the snow.
Easier said than done.
With a bit of melt atop an icy base,
it was treacherously fast coming downhill.
One hard fall taught respect for the conditions.

Discovered near the house,
the tracks of a rare Boreal Bichon Poo.
How exciting!

OK, can we put this stuff away?

SATURDAY

Better still.
It did not snow!
The sun was actually visible!

Everyone enjoyed the warmer weather.

Including the Wood Ducks.
You'd think the male was a garish painted decoy
if not for his movement.

And the mallards.
Best to observe the mallards in the sun.

The illumination highlights their iridescent green.

And the Mergansers.

The warmth of the sun is wonderful, even if you're having a really bad hair day.

The sun is also great for paddling.
Note Mary's expert technique at hanging cellophane from her paddle,
her compliance with State Law in wearing her life preserver prior to May 1,
and the rock face beyond the pines.
She's looking up at the previous day's vantage for looking down.

This fabulous 3000 sq. ft. custom home, set on 14 private acres at the end of Stewarts Landing Road,
features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a 4-car garage with radiant heat.
Yours for only $1,250,000.
Act now. This gem won't last!
Call Howard Hanna.  Send commission this way.

The itinerant geese launched into the air when we approached.

Yet another instance where photography does not do justice
to the experience.
Imagine the fowl mass, honking excitedly,
passing directly overhead.

The locals are unperturbed.

Kane mountain in the distance beyond the ice in the shallows on Lily Lake.

But there's a break, so we can make our way through.

The deep blue water is so inviting.
C'mon in, the water's fine!

Full ice on Canada Lake blocks our path.
Time to turn around.

But before we go, a reward for coming so far.

The eagle peruses the ice edge, searching for fish sunning near the surface.

Was he visible from the Kane Mountain fire tower?

We are treated to another!

How can one be sure this is a different eagle?
In addition to not having fully aged beyond the darker immature coloring,
this one is spreading "fingers" wide on one wing
to compensate for lost feathers.

His name is "Lefty."

Returning back through Lily Lake,
wondering when the loons will make their 2018 debut.

Looking westward, wonder no more!

A good day to fish.

Chilled sushi is hard to beat.

It's Spring!

What a concept!  A single date for spring across the hemisphere.  Just because the amount of daytime and nighttime are pretty much equal?  What are the chances that up north, spring really begins on the Vernal Equinox?  Astronomical!

Even a weeks later, not quite spring.  But it could be that the definition of spring is subject to species by species interpretation.

The hazy moon gave way to a beautiful sunny day.

Is it spring for the geese when they can
happily munch on the weeds in the runoff?

Honk if you think it's spring!

Mr. Merganser is sure it's spring...

Because his lady friend is nearby.

And love is in the air.

Or maybe not.
Who's this other guy?
Is the stage set for a duck fight?

The lady is not sticking around to find out.

The guys follow her footsteps and wingflaps.

And the end of the story is not for us to know.

For some, spring is a sunbeam and a warm spot on the floor.

Let's observe humans enjoying spring!

A short drive up NY Route 10 gets you to the Jockeybush Lake trail head.

It looks so inviting!
On with the snowshoes and up the trail.

The trail follows the lake's outlet.
Always stylish, Mary coordinated her gaiters with the trail markers.

Don't follow too close when going through the brush.

The lovely little stream winds through the woods.
The trail runs across the gap on the left if you're good and jumping with snowshoes.

Mary preferred crossing on the snow-covered log.

Just short of half way, this pretty little cascade
provided sound and motion.
Honest, there's a waterfall back there.

The little side streams provided a challenge.
In many places, the runoff provided deep cuts in the snow
and ample opportunity for soaking feet.

Skinny log crossing?
Don't fall!

Onward and upward.

At the lake.
Frozen solid!
Funny how the terrain flattens out.

"Now if we just go to that point,
we'll be able to see around the corner to the rest of the lake."

"Nope. Sorry. Done."
And with that, the return trip began.

Frothy bubbles formed in this bay
when the water lapped against a log near the mouth.

Their progress through the aperture and arc within the envelope
were fascinating.

Very tired, we returned home
to enjoy additional fascinating frothy bubbles.