Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Signs of Spring-Maple Buds Already!

Posted by Kirk

I noticed something unbelievable this weekend while I was out for a snowshoe hike in the woods. I was searching the tree's for owls when an unexpected sight caught my eye. The red maple trees already have swelling buds. I think I smiled. I have to admit I'm a little sick of winter. It has been a pretty cold one thus far and the darkness is really getting to me this year. I welcome the return of the sun.
Maple trees with swelling buds is one of those signs of spring that tells us to get the maple syruping supplies ready. The weird thing is we don't usually see much swelling until it is time to tap the trees in March or maybe very late February. It seems the little warm spell we've had is getting the trees thinking about spring. It isn't just the trees either. I heard the first Black-capped Chickadee of the season singing a spring courtship song in the treetops. Spring is coming, spring is coming, spring is coming.

~Kirk

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