OK, definitely Spring

Torrential rain today, much needed as it has been dry since the snow really began to melt. This is great for all the new plants put in last fall and ones I have been moving recently.

The daffodils planted in previous years are looking lovely.




This view shows the hills that give Montville its name.





Frank has been working hard with the woodsplitter clearing trees cut down for building last year and getting a good start on next winter's firewood.

















It is really exciting seeing what I planted last fall. This pulmonaria is looking lovely.














And the siberian squill which will hopefully spread swiftly each year.









The red maples are in bloom, one of the beautiful sights of spring here in Maine.












Bob Hussey (Solartec) and his son Kevin installed the last two solar panels on Saturday.





This common flicker has appeared recently, the first I have seen.

Is it Summer or Spring??

We have had a few days of temperatures up to 75F, amazing for this time of the year. The loons have been calling day and night and the spring peepers are deafening! The glory of spring in Maine.



This sunrise was prelude to a hot and sunny day.




















Even in this hot weather the snow has persisted in the shady spots. This photo was taken April 21st near my home.










The squirrels love to torment the cats who are confined indoors.












Creating a garden around my new home last fall consisted of hurredly hacking holes in the frozen ground and shoving bulbs and perennials into the soil. It is wonderful to see everything start to come to life such as these Early Snow Glories.






The daffodils started to explode into bloom yesterday, such a joyful sign of spring.







This morning started cool with this gentle misty light. The red maples are just starting to spread the pink haze of their flowers across the forests.

This is the view from my office.






Here is Solomon enjoying the early morning sun in the screen porch.

A wealth of wildlife

A few truly wonderful warm sunny days filled with yard work, house work and some wonderful kayaking breaks.

This four-toed salamander was among several found under logs while tidying up the yard.


These common loons can be heard calling out on the pond day and night.








Large numbers of painted turtles are to be seen basking on logs at the edge of the pond. Their numbers do not seem to have suffered from the pond almost completely drying out last summer due to a leaking dam.





This bald eagle allowed me quite close in my kayak.










At one time there were four eagles soaring overhead.











This beautiful osprey circled and offered excellent views. It is wonderful to have them back with their plaintive cries.

Goose River Paddle

Yesterday dawned cool and clear and soon warmed up into the 60's!!!!!!! So wonderful after that long winter. In celebration I joined the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition for a paddle on the Goose River, starting in Swanville. For more information about events, please e-mail: cloechunn@yahoo.com.

There were seven boats, eight paddlers and one dog. The river started out moving fast, deep, twisty and narrow. Gradually it widened into a still sleeping beaver swamp with dams that had fortunately not yet been rebuilt, making paddling easier.
A strong headwind countered the helpful current and as the river opened out paddling became quite hard work and the stiff breeze chilled the warm air.





Where the river opened out into a small pond a glimpse of winter returned with a sheet of ice to be paddled around.










A variety of wild ducks, geese, loons and ospreys were seen. Chloe is much more of a bird expert than I and identified several more species.

After 2 hours of hard paddling I was more than ready for the haulout at Smart Road and was delighted that Skip and Cloe had left 2 vehicles and a trailer. We managed to cram boats, people and dog into these (not sure how).

What a wonderful start to my paddling season. yesterday my boat launch on Trues Pond was still surrounded by ice, but could well be open by now.

The ospreys are back

Yet another stunningly gorgeous day, warm and sunny and signs of spring everywhere. The loons are calling out on the pond as I write, a wonderful sound.



While down by the water I heard the call of an osprey for the first time this year and it flew close over me. Pure Maine magic.

All around the house spring bulbs are bursting into flower.

The Loons are Back!

A pair of loons announced their arrival back on Trues Pond yesterday with loud trumpeting calls echoing the length of the pond. It is wonderful to see them!

Glorious Spring!

After such a long winter it is so wonderful to see all the signs of spring! I heard that parts of Maine have had over 200" of snow this winter. Here in the Mid-Coast area we have had snow cover since November, although it is melting fast now.


The lakes make a loud whispering sound as they melt. In fall they crackle as they freeze, graduating to loud booms as the ice thickens and shifts. Everywhere now is the sound of rushing water as the snow melts.








It is the first spring in my new home and exciting to see where I planted bulbs last fall.












Everyone is enjoying the warm weather, the wild animals and my feline family.

A Cloudy Day

Even a cloudy and dull day in Maine has a great beauty, starting with a vivid sunrise.






No sign of otters today at the spot that I named Otter Cove long ago, just art in black and white.

















The cliff in front of the house is stark and impressive in this light.


See my handcrafted Dolphin Jewelry and more at Dolphin Designs

Spring is coming

A week ago it would be hard to see that Spring might ever come with 2-3' of snow around the house and a blizzard raging outside! But today it is raining and the snow is finally beginning to melt. Saturday, March 29th was the annual St George River Race, certainly a sign that Spring is supposed to be coming. The race starts in Searsmont and continues to Rte 105 in Appleton. The river was not high this year as most lakes were still frozen and snow melt not well advanced. It was below freezing though and a brief, but impressive, snow squall added to the sense of adventure. A good place to view the race is from the bridge at Robbins Lumber on Ghent Road in Searsmont and at the finish line in Appleton. For more photos go to St George River Race.












The last week has seen progress with ice retreating and beginning to break up on some lakes. Lake St George is beginning to break up in places, but for the most part is still a great frozen expanse.





The blueberry barrens are showing the glorious reds and purples before they break into leaf. The open rocky ground soaks up the sun's warmth and snow melts swiftly here.









These glorious ice formations occur when the river drops overnight and freezing temperature prevail.



Trues Pond opens earlier than the bigger and deeper lakes, giving the wildlife access to much needed open water.









The geese now arriving are really appreciating it as are year round residents such as this curious otter seen April 3rd.



With snow rapidly melting around and the shell-shocked spring bulbs beginning to poke their noses above ground I am really looking forward to the first spring in my new home.







See my Dolphin Jewelry and more at Dolphin Designs