Fields, Forests, and Frogs

Saturday trumped last Thursday, as 'The nicest day of the year so far'...We headed out for a hike. Fitzgerald Lake was the destination, but we swung into the fields around Northampton Airport first, for a quick look around, and to let the dog run free for a bit.



The dirt roads between the fields were pretty muddy and in some spots narrow. We gave the tractors the right of way, of course. They have work to do...







Last year's corn stalks still stand in some areas of the fields. Strangely they were making odd 'popping' sounds; but I coudn't identify the sources of the sound. Maybe the warm sun was making the old stalks expand and 'pop'...



We went on, and passed through downtown Northampton. It was in high bustle mode, on this warm sunny day...



I guess my kid (3rd level Elven Assassin) will have to think up another name for his vanity plate when he gets his own car in a year or two.



On to Fitzgerald Lake. We went down the wooden walk way that leads to a little boat launch.



I was hoping to get a shot of some Blackbirds on the cattails on the water. No luck with the Blackbirds once again. But we did get a quick video of this guy, peacefully launching his canoe on a little fishing expedition:



That, will soon be me...

This Water Strider bug was probably humming that old tune "Me And My Shadow"...



As we walked back into the wooded area, hunter Kelly (or Sacajawea, as we've taken to calling her) spotted a toad, camouflaged in the leaf clutter, from about 15 yards away. She had to walk right up to it and point it out before I could see it...



Then, revealing her Belchertown country roots, she fearlessly proceeded to pick up the warty little amphibian.



She probably would have kissed it, if she didn't already have a prince. (heh, heh).

Continuing on, we walked along the extremely rocky trail on the north side of the lake.



There was some good views at the small dam on the eastern end...





As well as a some birdwatching, and oh yeah, Tai-Chi...




On to the easier to travel, eastern side of the lake, then to the Bird Blind to see what's going on there. The elevated, covered viewing building gives a good view of the marshy fields all around:





Still no great variety of birds to be seen. Some one had left seed scattered about the window sills, and Chickadees were flocking all around it.



Kelly soon discovered they'd feed right out of her hand.



Chris gave it a try. The dog would have tried it also, but unfortunately his lack of opposable thumbs proved to be an issue for him this time. He contented himself directing the other two...



Some Nuthatches hung around nearby, but wouldn't come too close. Seed probably isn't their prime food....







Before we left, I took a thirteen second Spring Peepers sound bite with me...Listen to the glory of Spring:



We made our way back. On a very shady section of the trail we saw some small surviving remnants of the past winter's snow on the ground.



I held a piece of the cold melting ice to a newly budding tree, for a symbolic seasonal/transitional type photo...



Then I grabbed another handful of the snow, and held it as we walked, until it completely melted in my hand. Winter is finally over....

We did a quick stop in Northampton on the way back, for the usual coffee and look around. It was still bustling.



A fine afternoon, for riding with the windows down...