Spring Arrives

Nest of Sparrows in my front yard

I have been a poor correspondent of late. I've gotten involved with various projects, including editing the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation Newsletter. Editing and publishing has brought me into the past when I was a graphic artist for a small computer journal company back in the 80's. At any rate I do enjoy the creative aspects of laying out an appealing newsletter. To top it off, I can write articles too! The first issue will be out this month.

Cordyalis flower growing on moss covered granite

My woodland wanderings have been challenging lately, with the very steamy weather we've been having. Day after day of 80-90 degree days, followed by severe damaging storms. A dangerous storm broke loose yesterday in Keene. There were trees down everywhere, glass patio tables lifted into the air and dropped. Thankfully, in Walpole I didn't find any damage. I never lost power, nor did I have any fallen trees on my property. In Stoddard, folks did not fare as well. I believe power is still out as I write this.

Aside from the weather, I have had to contend with the ticks! Every day I'm finding those creepy crawlies on me or on my dog. I have not been bitten, but Evvy has. I have been religious about applying "Frontline" to Evvy, though I'm not crazy about putting pyrethrins on her. The ticks bite her, but they die almost immediately, then I just pluck them off. I have found ticks everywhere, but primarily at the edges of fields, roadways, and woods boundaries. Whenever I go for a hike with Evvy, I apply the bug dope with DEET in it to my socks and shoes, my boonie hat, and clothes. I always take a shower immediately after each hike. I also hose Evvy off, and brush her. I believe we have managed to keep the ticks to a minimum despite a tick bloom of monstrous proportions this year. I found an informative segment on ticks and Lyme disease on www.WMUR.com. I was shocked by the number of complications caused by Lyme disease, and other infections also present in ticks.

Evvy and I tend to hike in areas where there is little ground cover, such as worn trails, or where the canopy prevents shrubbery from growing. My theory is there are fewer ticks in those areas. I will not walk in fields anymore, especially if they haven't been mowed. I like to encourage Evvy to take a swim any time we are near water. A couple of days ago, we went for a good hike though temperatures were well into the 90's. By the time we got home, Evvy was so exhausted, panting more rapidly than usual. I put ice in her water bowl, taking care that she not drink too fast, or two much. I rubbed ice on top of her head, until the panting slowed. It wasn't very long before she recovered. She was done for the day, sprawled out on the floor.

I have not seen a lot of game myself, but friends have seen Bear, Moose, and Deer. The only deer I've seen have been those that jump into the road in front of me. When I drive in areas where I know there are deer, I tap on my horn all the way through. Honking the horn has saved me a couple of times already - Rte 9 in Roxbury.