Day 12.076: Sap season

Many years ago and a few states away I dubbed this season between winter and things-starting-to-grow, "thaw". It is followed by, but distinct from spring. Most Mainers seem to refer to it - not without reason - as "mud season". This is also maple sugaring season as the sap flows when daytime temperatures are above freezing, but it is still dropping below freezing at night.

We made it out for a walk this morning. Despite the warm daytime temperatures over the last few days, the temperature at dawn was a maple-farmer-pleasing 19 °F (-7 °C). I don't think it's a sugar maple, but I did spot this evidence of flowing sap (and the freezing temperatures perhaps) - a sapcycle?

As for mud, we're not doing badly even though most of the snow has melted. It was certainly a much easier walk than the recent ones thanks to clear dry sidewalks underfoot.