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Editor's Column Notes, Announcements & Reflections Hello!
Did you notice that last week's edition was missing? Modern technology let me down. For some unknown reason my antenna isn't picking up what tech support describes as "a funky signal." Before they can fix this problem they need to get to the top of Musquash Mountain in Topsfield (Map ) to make an equipment repair on a tower. This involves a road I needed four wheel drive to get up last fall, and that road is covered in two to three feet of snow. Ice and high winds have kept them off the tower. This has been going on for about 10 days. I've been down graded to dial up. And again, modern technology, or in this case not very modern, isn't doing its job. I live on a dead end, sparsely populated road. The phone company has no interested in upgrading our phone lines. At best I can connect to dial up at 28.8 kps. That's a big inconvenience when you publish a sometimes photo-heavy publication such as MNN or your high schooler is researching Atlantis. I'm not complaining too much. It could be worse. By now you've heard that Caribou set an all time high snow fall record. The last time I looked they were up to 186.2". They have four feet of snow on the ground. We have friends who drive log trucks who have told us about barely seeing over the snowbanks from the driver's seat. I was hoping to hear from folks up there but I'm sure they've been busy. Have a great week! Robin Follette Editor/Publisher emailI |
Maine Nature NewsMarch 25, 2008
Vol.
13, No. 12
 Here on the coast in Phippsburg (Map 6) I can find
these Brittle Stars either at very low tides by hunting under rocks or in the
holdfasts of Kelp. You can either pull the Kelp free of its attachment and then
carefully separate the fingers of the holdfast or pull apart one that has broken
free and washed ashore. They are beautiful and delicate Sea Stars, but we do
find them in shallow waters if you look carefully. Ronnie in
Phippsburg.Sunday, March 16 Old Orchard Beach (Map 3) Red winged black birds are back. Just heard them as I was coming in from a walk, and then looked around for them. Found them at the top of a tree. Hope to get a picture some time this week. Ellen Casey wintering down at Old Orchard Beach. Sunday, March 16 Rangeley (Map 28) I've been seeing more evidence of bobcats around. I've had one hanging around my place,waiting for a wayward squirrel or a bird. Also during the weekend I had our first red wing blackbird show up. We are increasing the number of snow buntings showing up, along with crows. And the pine grosbeaks are still here. KB Monday March 17 Lisbon Falls (Map 17) Well the past week has been a good one as far as the spring sap run goes. Last Monday I boiled down about 12 gals but lost track on time and the sap turned into a black burned mess in the pan. 3 hours later I had the pan clean again! I am told if you make maple syrup that's bound to happen every now and then. After this event thing started to improve. Collected about 25 gals. on Friday and boiled down to 2 qts. of syrup on Saurday afternoon. Another 12 gals of sap turned into another quart of syrup tonight. Seems that with the snow coming early this year the ground never got a chance to freeze. I think thats why the sap is flowing so good even with the deep snowpack.While for the most part the snow is still deep in places on what open ground there is robins are looking for earthworms. SY  Saturday, March 22 Wells (Map 3) Caught this guy hunting for dinner off Rt. 1 in the Center of Wells. Appears to be in excellent condition. 3:46 PM DH |
Q&AQ. Flashlights and tennis balls have not helped me figure this out, so I turn to
Maine Nature News:
Can someone explain to me why, even though the vernal equinox was at about 1:48 am today (March 20) we reached 12 hours of daylight four days ago, on Sunday, March 16? Since the equinox occurs when the north and south poles are equidistant from the sun (i.e., the earth is not "tilted"), and since we're so far north of the Tropic of Cancer, it seems to me it should be the opposite - that we should lag behind and not reach equal daylight/night until after the equinox. - Ginny Remeika, Buckfield Email your answer for next week's edition!
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