Day 18.085: Snow Patrol

After a nice spring day yesterday, another storm was in the forecast for today. Mostly rain, some sleet but little or no snow. After some morning drama, we got E5N1 to his call for the two shows today. We popped in briefly to drop off some food for the between-show potluck but didn’t see him. 

From there we left to get on the highway to Boston through the rain to see Snow Patrol at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. It was chaotic when we arrived as there had been a Red Sox game at Fenway Park (second of the season) but we eventually made it to our parking space and back to the venue. Here are a few pictures from a fantastic concert. 

Day 18.084: The fun “Goes” on

It was show two tonight followed by the cast and crew’s late night trip out for dinner. This show is so good - funny, moving, spectacular singing and dancing, and well-played in every role. 

Hard to get or find a good shot of E5N1 but here’s a still from a promo video shot at the dress rehearsal I believe. 

Day 18.083: Opening night

Opening night for the musical was a huge success. In addition to E5N1, we know a good proportion of the cast either from previous shows, because they are E5N1’s friends or - for a number of them including the lead - because they danced at the studio with Exile #3. She joined us tonight and caught up with several of them after the show. 

Day 18.082: Thursday birding on a Wednesday

We're expecting another wintry storm tonight, so our birding was moved from tomorrow morning to this morning. Here's some of what we saw.

American kestrel - I caught it just leaving the "eagle tree" and then flying towards us and over the cemetery

Common mergansers

The first daffodils on the hill

The West Brook falls were running well

A group of lesser scaup

American tree sparrow in a ... bush

American tree sparrow on the ground

Nearby song sparrow for contrast

Hairy woodpecker

Red bellied woodpecker (good view of red belly)

Downy woodpecker

Somewhat surprisingly, both the American kestrel and American tree sparrow are new for my life list. I'm fairly sure I've seen both before, but this is the first documented sighting for both.

Day 18.081: Here we goes

Tonight was the final rehearsal for the musical. Tomorrow, they do a show during the day for some other students and Thursday through Sunday is the run of five shows. I can’t wait to see it!

Day 18.080: Bangor City Forest

Our second stop on Saturday morning was to walk some of the trails at Bangor City Forest. The trails were extremely well maintained - remarkably so for the time of year - and clearly very popular with the locals.

Trail and some very tall trees

‘Tis the season: meltwater run-off

This tree was swallowing the sign - not that we worked out what these measurements meant even when we could be sure what they said

Some of the pools under the trees were still frozen

Fungus

Day 18.079: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #519

Exile #2 writes...

Somehow, while much of the rest of the state was experiencing snow, sleet, and freezing rain, we struck it lucky with our trip north. While E5N1 went through the audition process, Exile #1 and enjoyed a couple of walks and a nice Thai meal.

Exile #3 sent this photo from home early in the storm - not a blockbuster perhaps, but a lot more than we saw up north

E5N1 got the call on the way home to say that his audition had been successful, which was great but didn’t make the decision for him. So, now he has to choose and I have a feeling it won’t be easy...