What'd you see?

“Well,to all of you who got out this weekend did you see anything notable?

Hyper and I went out Saturday to hike in the fresh snow. We were surprised at all we saw. It was about 43* and a bit slick but beautiful. The first time I've had my hiking boots on since last Sept!

We saw 4 sandhill cranes, seven robins in one tree, ( a sure sign of spring to us northerners), coyote and racoon tracks, a bufflehead duck and we heard spring peepers! It was a great hike. Moderately hilly-we went 6 miles in 2 1/4 hrs. (That quiz was way off! It was even so icy ya had to watch yer step)”

“I'll be able to talk about my next trip next Sunday afternoon.”

“Took a stroll around the homestead today and the bulbs are comin up! Krocus, dafodils and hyacinth are not to far away.”

“I'm NOT out hiking....... and all I see is snow and ice and slush...... and I'm sure sick of it!!

On the other hand, last NIGHT I heard the neighborhood coyote pack yipping, yapping and howling. They seem to be going at it a lot lately. I always thrill to hear them.”

“I didn't get to hike--but I did mow and rake my yard. My Yoshino Cherry tree is just about to bloom and the Bradford Pears are busting out. It sounds like you had a nice trip--I'm jealous but am looking forward to spring and getting out myself.”

“It has been raining all day today, but i did take a stroll around the temple grounds this morning in the mist ...redbuds, dogwoods and azaleas are showing off.....yesterday, i worked in the yard, got the raised beds cleaned, weeded the lettuce patch and hauled mulch for paths.
But last Saturday i took a paddle on the Santa Fe River thru the River Rise preserve and I saw deer, with deerlettes and watched an otter play around while i ate lunch on the bank and of course...lots of birds and turtles....it was warm enough to snorkel in the springs, but i forgot my mask....”

“Just got back from Ishi and I did see some wildlife including a first. I saw deer on the drive Friday night, Saturday night I spent about 15 minutes watching a bat flutter about over Mill Creek getting it's fill of insects, On the hike out today I saw a couple of California Newts. For the first time ever I saw wild horses, two on Saturday and two Sunday morning, probably the same two.”

“While setting up to take a pic of a beaver dam and pond...Buddur, behind me, gave off a bark, and I turned around to see a porcupine, tail and back toward me in a strike position, only 8 feet away from me. Got a good pic of it, too!”

“Just got back from a hike/kayak scouting mission near the NCT in southern Michigan. What I saw...

...a bunch of frozen lakes just bursting to return to liquid. I can't wait to try 'em out.

...probably the worst section of the NCT - the M-99 bikeway. It is a run-down sidewalk along a state highway through strip mall heaven. At times the "trail" is only inches from the curb. God knows who would ever want to hike it.

...lots and lots of mud.

Here's hoping mud season ends soon. Until then, I'm cleaning the garage.”