So spring has sprung and with it all of the wonderful things that come with it here in lovely New England...days and days of rain and doom and gloom with the occassional passing thunder shower. There are days where you are turning up the heat and days when you're stripping down to your shorts. It's crazy. But, it's good!

I have yet to catch a trout. It pisses me off to no end. I have lost more lures, basically gone up onto the bridge and put every lure I can think of in front of their faces and nothing. I dont feel bad though, they arent biting for anyone at this point. I will have to get shiners soonish and go with that is all. until then I am constantly restringing my line and hoping for a few minutes of peaceful quiet relaxation out in the woods with a nice stream running by and a soft breeze at my back. No ticks would be helpful in a glorious day too.

No deer seen for over a week. Where the heck did they go? I can't just be missing them. They must be hiding out or on vacation or something. Kinda makes me wonder. They'll be back though, I am sure.

I have seen plenty of other wildlife though. The turkeys are gobbling their little heads off in the woods and an occassional hen with waddle on through the yard. No babies yet but, it's almost that time, I'm sure of it. Can't wait to get shots of those so ugly they're cute things.

I put hummingbird feeders up last month and to my absolute joy and constant amazement..they're here! All day long they come visit. I am astounded by them, really. I never knew they just perched in a tree - or on a table in this case as well. I also didnt know they chirped their little heads off. Very Very cute little things. And standing out on the deck having them dive bomb me has taken a bit of getting used to but, I'm doing it. Otherwise the poor wee things might get a backhand.I would never want to do that. I guess that makes the bees more thankful as well.

The Bobcat finally had a nice long visit at the edge of the trees in front of the deck. I've got pictures!! He's strikingly beautiful and a wee bit scary too. Once he saw me in the doorway he left but, he didn't run like the wind or anything so, that's interesting. The fact that he was just hanging out 20' from the deck is pretty darn interesting too. I saw him run across the back field last week and with my previous sighting I'm guessing I'm in his hood. Her hood. Whatever it is..we be sharing the same place. Now we both know we're here and have taken a good look at each other so, we'll just go with that.

Mr fatty the groundhog/woodchuck had his picture taken today as well. I finally got a decent shot of him. All i've gotten before is his big behind. I can't imagine how big this guy gets if this is how big he is now. Everybody is all kinds of healthy around here. Must be the country air. Or something.

I also finally saw the giant Great Heron. Didn't have my camera. I know where he lives and where he fishes so I'm sure I will come upon him again. He's a dang big bird. Lovely stuff.

I've still got all the other birds as well. Had a big woodpecker here yesterday too. I never knew they could get like a foot long. That's a bird I wouldnt mess with. Ever. Glad I had the zoom but, didnt get the best clear shot of him so, hopefully I'll see him again.

The snakes are sunning themselves on the neighbors patio. She caught them doing the wild thing too. I'm guessing that pretty soon we'll have all kinds of them around. I'm glad they like her patio and not mine, really. I like snakes but, I like hanging out on my patio without them.

The most recent hike was through a small part of the Yale Forest. Basically my backyard extension. It's pretty nice. All of those unending Connecticut stone walls and old cart trails. Mark tried to catch a frog and ended up only getting all muddy. It was the most I've laughed in a while. With tears it was so funny. We also came back from that with two or three ticks a piece on us. We had covered ourselved with DEET and wore light colored clothes, long pants, etc but, didnt stop the buggers. I think it was when we ventured off the road into some old stone foundations but, it could have been just as easily when we went up through the back yard. Who knows. At least we found them before they dug in..thank goodness.

So, I'm going to add pictures to the galleries...enjoy!

YALE FOREST

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/yale-forest/

Nature in the Hood

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/nature-in-the-hood/

I am adding a gallery of just the nature/animal shots so it can be a bit more organized - wish me luck with that. I will add to it as time goes on and have a few files now to add to it as well but, here it is for now anyway:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/nature-in-the-hood/

I am going through digital files like CRAZY. It's all good. I'm loving every single second of it and hope it continues. Of course, I hope I get good shots as well so..there ya go.

It is now officially trout season. And I am humbled by the trout. They are large, they are stubborn and I'm just not doing as well as I can or should be. I finally had one on my line this morning but, he was a lip catch and got away. I need bigger hooks. I'm feeling all fisherperson and actually thinking about making a lure of my own...how crazy is that? I am determined though. Or crazy. Your call.

The weather is starting to shape up and although today is in the 50's all I see in the coming forecast is 80's. No Spring this year. I shall not complain. I love the heat. Remind me of this when I dont have a/c cuz I have stupid windows. The weather however is bringing to mind ALL KINDS of good stuff to come. I cant wait to do the shopping walks or hideaway finds, the hikes, the camping, more firepit activity, fish on the barbie...etc etc. It's going to be good. I hope at least.

Now, about the internet connection during these storms....argh. I knew this would happen but DANG it really sucks. TV has gone out a bit but, not as bad. It's all about living out in the middle of nowhere. pthbth to that. Still, I'll take it anyway.

I am becoming more and more animal aware. It's odd but, at least now when I look out into the field and see something moving my first thought isnt...'Who the hell is up in the back yard?'...it's more...'ohhh Whats that?'. Funny how your thoughts change that way. Funnier too that while washing dishes I see a cat and immediately know it's a bobcat and not the neighbors tomcat. Got a picture but, it's blurry. I have been educated on many animals and calls and times of day and small little things to see and BOY do I see them. I even see the trout in the brook. The funniest one I think though was what I thought was a frog bellowing out in the field, we took a walk up to go see what kind, and it flies up and away. Okay, it's a bat. No, its not a bat. Duh. It's an American Woodcock (crazy looking bird). I find out that it's mating season (like 4 months of this) and thats what they do. Okie Dokie..now I know. The bat do the divebombing though so, thats something to always be on the lookout for. There's something scratching away in the gutters at night...I'm guessing bat or mice or something....not quite sure. The neighbor hears it too so, it's not just my imagination. I'm also getting to know the 6 deer that are all about here all day. The biggest one has a scar running down by her upper thigh. One of the older girls has a shot wound in her neck and the baby is simply adorable. I know they're gonna be food in less than a year but, I still cant help getting to know them.

Not much of an update but, something anyway to those 4 or 5 constant readers. Bless your hearts.

Interesting week for odd things happening.

At night the frogs all come out. Everywhere. There is NO way to drive down any of the roads without squishing them. They seem to hurdle themselves into your car too..very strange indeed. So, I'm refusing to go out after dark until they get over that. Whatever it is. Is love in the air for them? Why do they cross the road if they are everywhere then why dont they just stay with the girls and boys that must be like 6" from them? I just dont get it. It leads to just many more questions and absolutely no answers. It's very very odd. Freaks me out too. I'm laughing though by the end of the ride because you just really cant help it. I dont know what specific amphibians they are...orange reddish color with white line around the mouth and exposed ears. Yes, I had to pick up the one in the driveway and set it safely in the field. Dont know if it helped but, gosh I hope so.

There is something living in the gutter above my back door. It only makes noise at night (fabulous). It's got to be small because I did go out with a flashlight to make sure it wasnt a raccoon or owl having a feast on something up there. What the heck could it be? I have no idea...I just hope it doesnt decide to dive bomb me at some point....that could be UGLY for us both. I must say though that when it's dark in the middle of nowhere and you hear faint scratching coming from above your head when you are outside....you can move pretty darn quickly. Someone should have gotten that on video...they'd make a fortune.

The washing machine and dryer are now working. What a fiasco. Did you know gravity plays a big part in a washer? I had no idea. How spoiled am I? How spoiled Was I I will make that. Now, to figure out why the neighbor looses all water pressure when I do laundry? OMG...when will it end? And about that well water.... Can I just tell you how much I despise the smell of it at the moment? It's like old wet dog that hasn't dried in a week and rolled around in poo or something. Am I really getting clean? Gross. It's sulfer. Great. Hope it goes away again soon.

Ticks. Lovely and charming ticks. Deer ticks. Here is what I have learned from the health care professionals. You worry about Lyme Disease if it's in you for over 24-48 hours and/or is engorged. When you pull it out, most likely you will not remove the corkscrew head. You are morelikely at a risk of serious infection from trying to remove the head than just letting it come out by itself. I am totally freaked out...1 week and it's still there. UGH. I dont feel all that bad...like I'm an idiot or something though (although lack of immersing myself in DEET isnt smart). The neighbor took the same walk and said they came back covered in ticks as well. Maybe that's why the guy down the street was laughing..he knows, I know he does. See if I invite him to the BBQ.

The deer stare you down. Really. The biggest girl just stares at you. I thought it was just me but, the neighbor said she was a tad freaked out by her one night as well. It's really really creepy to have a deer stare you down at sunset and like 100 yds from your door. Just figuring out that it's more than just the curious look or odd attraction or something is creepy enough. Thanks though...I'm happy you're bumbling through my yard with your big giant body and damaging hooves. Cant wait till you get friendly. Jeesh.

There are an abundance of hawks and other predator birds flying at all times of the day. TYpically they are here and there and singular in nature. I'm guessing this is in direct correlation to the amount of road kill (see frogs above) available. All I can figure.

Okay. The adventures of the weekend.

One trip was up into Mass to look at a camping area for one of the summer weekends but, the roads were still closed and it was WAY too cold to go looking. Have it in the memory banks to go look when the parks are all open...seems nice from where we got to anyway. Took the scenic route home and that was lovely as well. Also found that Sturbridge has a plaza with Applebees, Stop & Shop, Marshall's, Old Navy, Verizon...etc etc....its like 20 miles from here so, guess I can shop in Mass much easier...??? Odd.

Took a little ride around the counrtyside with Maureen today and took a small stroll around a park in Pomfret.

Mashamoquet Brook State Park

" The region was once the domain of the Mohegan Chief Uncas. The name Mashamoquet is Indian for "stream of good fishing" and originally was applied to the entire area.

So this weekend was all about exploring close to home. The Hood. lol, yea, okay. Finding out what the backyard and surroundings within walking distance is all about. VERY cool actually. The property backs up to a very small portion of:

 Yale Myers Forest

The largest parcel is the Yale Myers Forest, which covers 7,840 acres (3,213 ha. 12.2 sq. mi.) in the towns of Ashford, Eastford, Union, and Woodstock, in Windham and Tolland Counties, Connecticut. This forest has the most activity in terms of education, research, and harvesting operations of all the forests managed by the School. Yale Myers is certified by both FSC and SFI. It is comprised of mainly mixed hardwoods on glacial till soils with a large component of hemlock, several scattered white pine stands (mainly of old field origin), and occasional red pine plantations started in the 1940s after field abandonment. There are numerous small ponds and most wetland areas have been created by beaver activity. The majority of this parcel is surrounded by large state (park and forest) and private forest ownerships. Most of the adjacent private landholdings are small in terms of acreage, but Hull Forest Products owns two large inholdings in the forest. Its situation makes it part of one of Connecticut's most remote forest areas, although suburban commuter dwellings are beginning to surround this area.

There's a giant swampy lake that is really just a small little pond on the maps. It's cute and the hike is easy on a nice dirt road. We found sign of deer, beaver, turkey, frog, and a cough pellet of some large bird that had a HECK of a meal. I didnt take it apart but, it's there anyway. Also took a stroll around the "yard". Found some deer rubbings. Would LOVE to see that buck but, I think he's little...or he's bending down pretty far. Also found a nice 5' snake in the new pit by the barn. It's either a racer or rat snake. I do have picture, of course. Found a dead mouse and put it in there..thats gone this morning.

Had the fire pit roaring all weekend and dglad to have gotten that done since it's rainy and chilly now. Put up the new bird feeder and both the birds and the cats are LOVING it. It's very cool. Also put up the Hummingbird feeder and we'll see how that goes for the next few weeks. It would be nice to have hummingbirds too.

Adding more pics to Lay of the Land and these ones start here:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/lay-of-the-land/192_9202a.jpg/

With the big gathering down in Berlin this weekend with all the old school folks we didnt have as much time to roam about but we did get to get out a bit anyway. We'll call this installment "Land of the Lost".

My little GPS is currently programmed with Boston man voice. It keeps me warm and fuzzy feeling. It irritated the heck out of Mark. I dont blame him really. When the guy keeps saying "As soon as you can bang a uie" I really wasn't surprised to hear "I'm gonna bang my foot in your a$$ if you keep telling me that guy". It was what I was thinking anyway. I really dont know how we could have gotten repeatedly lost. Really..this one is not far. There are also signs. It's odd to have ended up back at the house multiple times. I  have now however found multiple ways of getting here on some really strange backroads so I guess thats good. Never know when you might need it.

Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest

18 acre pond and 9000 acres of recreation, hiking, picnicing

Theres also backpack hiking available

Cute place. I think it will be really nice in the summer during the day to go down and enjoy lunch at. The trails are petty well marked, its clean and friendly and the water is pretty darn clear. We arrived just as a snow squall was coming through. It was freaking cold but, we made it down a couple of quick trails to the water.

Adding pics to Lay of the Land....these pics start here:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/lay-of-the-land/191_9157a.jpg/