Day 16.080: Ferry Beach update

Our walk last Saturday took us through Ferry Beach State Park where we took the boardwalks past Long Pond:

And through the Tupelo Swamp:

On the way we saw some more damage from the late winter storms:

Day 16.079: Opening night

Exile #2 and I had a lovely evening at the first night of the musical. E5N1 is in the tech crew this time around. The show is wonderful. 

Day 16.078: Last of the snow?

It’s easy to believe a sunny or a rainy day would be enough to melt the last of our snow at this point. 

Of course, it’s far from certain that we won’t get any more.

Day 16.077: V E day?

We went out for a little walk this evening in the twilight. We first heard and then saw geese - well over a hundred in a few V formations. Surprisingly they were all heading east - there’s not much in that direction except the bay so it wasn’t the obvious direction but it was clearly the order of the day.

Eighty or so geese in two of the four or five formations we saw in the space of a few minutes

Day 16.076: Mary Merrill Trail

As Exile #2 mentioned yesterday, we walked the Mary Merrill Trail yesterday. Here are a few pictures:

Your intrepid adventurers

Not the trail head at the Ecology School but the sign where this trail meets the Horton Woods trail network 

Quite a lot of snow at the start 

The shelter of the trees made it much easier going

The trail is very well kept with some nice bridges to cross the streams feeding the creek

Stackpole Creek was clearly visible through the trees for most of the walk

The end of the trail has a nice view of the Saco River

Day 16.075: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #432

Exile #2 writes...

We had a little trip out today to visit a newly opened trail nearby. Although it is fairly short, it is lovely, following the path of Stackpole Creek along to its end, where it empties into the Saco River.

To get there, however, you have to cross Stackpole Bridge, a little old stone bridge with a keyhole arch, built in the 1840s and the source of some stress in recent years. It even closed for a time, while the town decided whether to mend or replace it, causing a significant detour for the locals. It seems the Friends of Stackpole Bridge must have won out because it was open and looking pretty good today.

It’s there somewhere. Apologies for the terrible photo of this historic bridge [Ed]

Perhaps they need to follow the example of another old stone bridge we have known, and set up a toll booth. I think the current charge at Swinford (Oxfordshire, UK) is 5 pence, so I guess a dime would do it.

Day 16.074: We reached the beach

It feels like a long time since we managed a Saturday morning walk on the beach. It’s been for a variety of reasons and at this time of year there often isn’t all that much to see but it was nice to get out this morning. 

Day 16.073: Spring song

Thanks to the Sound ID feature in the Merlin Bird ID app, I was able to identify the two birds singing distinctly springlike songs above my head at lunchtime as a house finch and a song sparrow. Apparently there was a cardinal as well. 

Day 16.072: Bayview and bay view

On approach to Portland Jetport last week:

Bayview beach (our local beach-walking spot):

And some of the islands in Casco Bay:

So much more interesting than the approach from the west. 

Day 16.071: Today’s entry in…

Today’s entry in when your kids borrow your clothes…is:

E5N1 as a “mathlete” for “mathletes vs athletes” dressed in my shirt, tie and braces/suspenders. The nerd glasses are from his hip hop dance days but as he pointed out they look exactly like mine (apart from the fake tape-repair anyway). 

Day 16.070: Fussiest titmouse

Sorry I spelled "tufted" incorrectly.

On the other hand, I watched this one several times search for a specific seed, turn around and hit it on the rim of the trough to open it before eating.

Day 16.069: Snow going

Although it took a while to come in any significant amounts, we’ve had a good covering of snow on the ground for quite a while in late winter. This picture was taken about ten minutes after the spring equinox so it is officially a picture of the snow melting in the spring. 

Day 16.068: Mother’s Day (UK)

The UK celebrates Mother’s Day today - Mothering Sunday. Thinking of my mum more than usual today ❤️

Day 16.067: A gift from my trip

Yes - I brought a fridge magnet back but also a more dramatic gift (for today at least) - presumably norovirus - which woke me in the early hours and then basically wiped me out all day.

Ah well, tomorrow is another day. 

Day 16.066: 9 out of 20

I saw at least 20 robins when I got back to work after lunch. Here are nine of them. Probably an actual sign of spring this time?

Day 16.065: Close to home

I am actually home now, but before that, I was close to being directly over our house. 

Day 16.064: Beautiful Wisconsin

This is the view from my hotel window:

I’m mostly kidding. Madison and its surroundings are rather attractive (perhaps less so at this time of year) but this view isn’t the best despite the elevation. 

Day 16.063: Storm dodging

I didn’t take pictures as I took-off this morning because it was dark and a bit hairy as we ascended directly into the storm clouds as the nor’easter took aim at home. 

My journey took me well west of this storm system leaving Exile #2 to deal with what it is bringing (sorry!)

Day 16.062: Before the storm (again)

Tomorrow morning I’m due to leave on a short work trip, so - of course - we’re about to have another winter storm. In fact, the storm is due to arrive around the same time I’m due to leave. 

As for now; we still have some snow, although we have lost a lot over a relatively mild and sometime sunny few days.