Eighty-some odd degrees, plenty of sunshine and a welcome breeze greeted a couple of friends and me as we explored the Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve on Farrington Pond Road in Lovell–certainly a beach day.

Though we often refer to them as being shaped like a cigar, on this summer-like spring day, that description hardly seems apropos.

A few of last year’s leaves still cling tentatively to beech branches,

but on others the buds unfurl

with grace,

displaying pleated leaves covered with long silky hair.

There’s so much to see along the trail, so I hope you’ll continue to wander with me.

 Hobblebush,

Wood Anemone

and Sessile-leaved Bellwort or Wild Oats.

Leatherleaf

from a different point of view.

Beaked Hazelnut displaying leaves.

Alternate-leaved Dogwood

preparing to flower.

Squawroot, that reminded us of . . .

pine cones.

Pitcher Plants, carnivores in the plant world,

with their pitcher-shaped leaves,

covered in trigger hairs–waiting to trap insects.

We saw hemlock polypores,

and old bird nests.

And then there was the other animal sign.

 

Deer scrapes on Striped Maple bark.

And the work of mice below the snow pack.

There is beaver work everywhere

and numerous lodges in the brook.

A rut in the trail

was put to good use–wood frog eggs and emerging tadpoles.

Something made a meal of this Northern Flicker.

Our best finds were actual wildlife. This guy thought that if he hid his head, we wouldn’t see him.

But we did.

A wood frog, also trying to hide, well, sorta.

And a ribbon snake that quickly slithered into a hole and out of sight–the most successful hider of all.

Lest I forget, we were beside Sucker Brook,

where we paused frequently.

An osprey flew overhead, but I wasn’t quick enough to take a picture.

It was a perfect beech day. Thanks for taking the time to enjoy it with me.

And Happy Birthday to my sister, who has loved the beach since day one.