Toads.

American Toad, (Bufo americanus), joined the chorus last night.

Weekend gone by.

A weekend of activity, a young Sharp-shinned hawk lands on the deck railing, more Peepers calling,unseasonably high temperature and I'm not complaining. After years of putting up with Maine's winters, I can't complain about heat. I'm tired of cold and wet,( getting hypothermic and frost bit changes ones attitudes.)

Saturday evening (4/25), the robins were going nuts, I stared over to where the commotion was, new something was amiss and watched a Barred Owl fly off. Saturday morning I heard my first Hermit Thrush singing. I can still hear some woodcocks peenting. More insects, more butterflies and a daytime flying moth( an underwing). Coltsfoot in bloom on Sunday, and a stop at one of my favorite places yielded tiger beetles, at least 3 species.

This morning I heard a loon calling in flight. Last night I saw a Meadowlark, the first one I've seen in Rangeley.

Spring Arrivals

April 23- Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica)

April 24-Common Loon (Gavia immer)

No flowers seen.

And at 7:44 pm, the first mosquito of the season.

April 24- Spring Peepers (Hyla crucifer)

Cassini

From the Boston Globe's "Big Picture", a series of 24 incredible photos of Saturn.

Having an Organic Garden is bad?

You know why? Not enough chemicals ! It seems that an industry group has their knickers in a twist over Michele Obama having a garden at the White House. Normally I stay away from political stuff on my blog, but this is just plain nuts. Go here to read the email and other whining going on.

Owling

Last night, er I mean early this morning, I finally got to complete the 2009 Maine Owl Monitoring Project. It was not a dark & stormy night. It was a near full moon with clouds. And a few passing snow showers. Absolutely beautiful.

Peter and I only heard a GHO, and a Barred Owl. So for me it was an expected count. At stop #5, we were treated to a coyote pack chorus. About an 1/8 mile from us, which is quite close, but it makes the experience all the better. Didn't see a soul on the road, save for the single Border Patrol car that I passed.

And a raccoon.

Homies in the Hood

Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)

I'm pretty certain this is one of the Sphinx moths, but not too sure. I'm sure someone will chime in.

Wood Turtles (Clemmys insculpta)

So, in my moderate sleep deprived mind, I thought decided my blog will help remind me to keep track of some of my neighbors that I ran into last fall. The knife in the photos is 6 cm. The wood turtles had just hatched and the day was pretty cool. I want to go back and check the nest this spring. I did move them, too many crows and ravens about.