A bike, a dead mouse and the moose.

Warm and humid this morning. Just perfect for a bike ride.

I went down to Oquossoc,turned off a side road and parked.There is something about a Maine summer morning. Bird calls, the green leafy canopy, the whine of mosquitoes, ahh!

I took off up the road, crossed Rt 16, and continued on up the Kennebago River Valley. About a quarter mile up the road, the alders rustled and then a young bull moose comes running out of the bush. I skidded to a stop, breathless and shaking.

I continued up the road and finally I came to my turn around point, the Kennebago River Bridge. I always stop and look around, catch my breath (it's downhill to the bridge and one has to ride through wet grass to get there, so wet brakes make for a breathtaking ride.)

I was stand on the abutment looking down and scared a young garter snake who them dropped down to the concrete below. Scrambling down,to one, check on the snake and two, I saw a dead rodent. Curiosity always gets me, so I had to check it out. It turns out to have been a Woodland Jumping Mouse, Napaeozapus insignis.

I see one on occasion ,but not long enough to really get a good look. The knife is 6 cm.

Riding back and stopping to look at things, I kicked my bike.

Maine Butterfly Survey

On Saturday I attended the Maine Butterfly Survey's workshop at Colby College in Waterville,Maine. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, along with UMF and Colby College, and a few other agencies support and run this annual survey to establish what species of butterflies and where they are located in the state. Up until now we really don't know what we have and this project is helping to fill in the gaps.
Today, I spent some time to go over some maps and plan my survey spots. I have 7 stops, and a couple of other places I'll check when I can get to them. One I will be hitting is Bigelow Mt, which I will be able to do when I do the Mountain Birdwatch this June. I hope to make another trip there later in the summer. I also have the summit of Saddleback Mt , (just outside of Rangeley), on my list.
It should be very interesting, can't wait to get started.

Lupines

Lupines are in full bloom in Rangeley. With plenty of rainfall, they are looking the best that they have in years.
There is fields full, not small isolated patches,and the air is heady with their scent.
Summer is here.