Signs of Spring

[newfsmith]

Monday night's rain was warm enough to start the salamander migration, I saw 12 non-survivors on the way to work this morning. (I figured no one would want to see photos.) For the rest of us that means Spring, now I'm waiting for the woodcock dances and spring peepers.

[RoadRaven]

"The buckets are in the sugar bush"????

OK... this is not within my experience, I assume these are buckets converted into bird-feeders? Full of sugar? For robins?

What about ants - don't they bother the buckets?

And as for salamander migrations... nope, didn't even realise they migrated! The closest we have in this country (as far as I know) are axolotyls... in pet shops...

[DeniseGoldberg]

"The buckets are in the sugar bush"????

OK... this is not within my experience, I assume these are buckets converted into bird-feeders? Full of sugar? For robins?

No, they are buckets to collect the sap that is used to make maple syrup. Wonderful sweet syrup for pancakes, French Toast, baking... Here's a link to a New Hampshire Maple Producers web site with an explanation of maple sugaring: http://www.nhmapleproducers.com/abc.htm.

--- Denise

[Jen]

The first sign of summer..... the pool guy came to clean the neighborhood pool. It is filled and ready to go in May.

[RoadRaven]

No, they are buckets to collect the sap that is used to make maple syrup. Wonderful sweet syrup for pancakes, French Toast, baking... Here's a link to a New Hampshire Maple Producers web site with an explanation of maple sugaring: http://www.nhmapleproducers.com/abc.htm.

--- Denise

OK... thanks Denise...
I luuuuurve maple syrup... but the maples that grow in NZ don't give the yummy sap, so we have import it...

but now I understand buckets and robins and spring... thanks.

[Surlygirl]

Did somebody say spring. I've been watching snow flurries all day and the temps went from 62 on Monday to 34 today.
I mark spring by when the goldfinches turn yellow and the peepers start peeping and I haven't seen or heard that yet. It was nice to get the weekend rides in though, even if it was just a teaser. As for the salamanders, they have a group around here that actually stand in the road at night to make sure they get across. Now those folks are dedicated.

[Nanci]

Man, I miss having salamanders down here in Florida. I _loved_ them in Minnesota! I can remember some spring nights when I would go out in the yard and find 20 or 30 of them! They are the cutest things. I love their smiley little faces, and their little four-finger hands. _So_ easy to keep as pets, too.

Nanci

[newfsmith]

They actually close the road for the salamander migration here. I get to have a private highway some rainy, spring nights. The director of the Audubon sanctuary I ride through knows me and my commuting habit, and probably that I have been a member of Audubon for over 30 years. She just waves me around the barracade. I walk my bike thru the areas that the salamanders are heaviest. I've only seen one actually crossing the road. I tend not to linger because I suspect that my lights might disturb them.

[SadieKate]

Now, if it were Davis, we'd just build 'em a tunnel and expect them to be smart enough to use it.

http://www.daviswiki.org/Toad_Tunnel

[snapdragen]

Now, if it were Davis, we'd just build 'em a tunnel and expect them to be smart enough to use it.

http://www.daviswiki.org/Toad_Tunnel

Well, maybe they'd use it if the city would put up signs! You gotta tell them where the tunnels are fergoshsakes!

[Nanci]

We have an "Ecopassage" here through Paynes Prairie, a huge marsh with bison, wild cattle and horses, alligators, wading birds, bald eagles, ospreys, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/etsxh

There is also a wildlife barrier that keeps them off the road, but is hidden from sight. Biggest problem now is people stopping to feed friend chicken to the gators. (They get ticketed, highly frowned upon!!)

Nanci