And just like that, it’s May. May Day. Memories of our sons quietly delivering flowers to neighbors and friends flashed through my mind this morning. I’ve a feeling they choose not to remember, but at the time they loved sneaking up to doors, depositing small baskets of flowers and then dashing away.

For me, the fun began this morning when I joined a small group intent on birding at the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge. Chickadees, Red-winged Blackbirds, Pine Siskins, Waterthrush, Mallards, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Goldfinches and a few others were singing and flitting about.

The bridge, itself, is worth viewing from any vantage point.

And then I drove to Sweden (Sweden, Maine, that is) to join a couple of friends on a tramp through the woods.

Along the way, this May Day basket presented itself.

Moss covered rocks and stumps bring to mind my father and his Scottish heritage. The faeries or fair folk, as they prefer to be known, quietly present themselves in areas like this. Some day, I may share the fairy tale I wrote a few years ago.

The Witch Hazel still holds its leaves.

As do most American beech trees, but this one is beginning to leaf out.

The insects don’t stand a chance against the methodic hammering of the pileated woodpecker who created these holes.

At the base of the tree, the reason for the pileated’s work was revealed; sawdust created by carpenter ants. This tree must hum before it drums.

I actually stopped talking, ever so briefly, when I saw this.

How in the world?

We think we know, but what are your thoughts?

Meanwhile–a tree grows around a rock.

One of my favorite wonders of today. A red oak acorn germinating on the gravelly road–not exactly a quality site to begin life.

False Hellibore shines brightly,

slowly unfurling its smooth-edged, pleated leaves,

beside Powers Brook as it meanders by on its way to Stearns Pond.

It was a day of this and that, including beaver works.

The lodge.

And two large dams, the second being in the background to the center right.

 

It’s May Day and we noticed that Canada Mayflower is beginning to leaf out.

 But . . . we’ve been paying attention to Trailing Arbutus, aka Mayflower, whenever we tramp, and today–blossoms

accompanied by that delicate sweet scent.

A reason to celebrate. Happy May Day.