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Ladyslippers are in bloom. A baby snapping turtle stops traffic in the middle
of Cornish Field Road. We held the first season’s dance in the Camphouse
during the Memorial Day Work Weekend. The crew hang out on Pinecones porch in
the evening, and the night is filled with music and laughter. Camp is opening.
- Judy Savage - June 2008
The peepers are now deafening. Mayflowers are in bloom. Haven’t seen any
Ladyslippers yet, but haven’t really had time to look. Tree buds are out
but the leaves have yet to pop. And where are the hummingbirds? They have
usually arrived by now. - Judy Savage - May 2008
Camp is greening with all the rain. I heard the first spring peepers this
week out by Blueberry House. I’ve been reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal
Vegetable, Miracle and I’m more determined then ever to get as much local
produce as possible to feed our campers this summer. I called our two local
farmers this morning because I wanted to tell them to plant more!
- Judy Savage - April 2008
Nothing but rainy wet weather after the unexpected snowstorm 2 weeks ago.
We got 12-14 inches, and I had a chance to do a little cross-country skiing
through camp. Neighbors tell me the resident eagle is back on Halfway Pond,
but I haven’t seen it yet. The ice is about gone from both Ponds, and we had
lightning and thunder the other night. But winter is definitely not over yet.
- Judy Savage - February 2008
The Ponds are beginning to freeze over, and the leaves are finally off the
trees. The wildlife is scarce probably because it’s hunting season on the
southeast shore. The raccoons are there, however. One got my cat a few weeks
ago. It was a sad reminder to me that the woods can be both peaceful and wild.
- Judy Savage - January 2008
The Ponds are beginning to freeze over, and the leaves are finally off the
trees. The wildlife is scarce probably because it’s hunting season on the
southeast shore. The raccoons are there, however. One got my cat a few weeks
ago. It was a sad reminder to me that the woods can be both peaceful and wild.
- Judy Savage - December 2007
Indian summer brings warm enough days to keep swimming right through the end
of September. Camp is quiet, except for birds and the rustle of the squirrels
and turkeys. The red-bellied cooters continue to sun themselves on fallen
branches in both Ponds. A full moon lights up the night, and invites me to
take a silent walk on now empty paths through camp.
- Judy Savage - September 2007
In spite of the cold and last night’s Nor’easter, spring has arrived at camp.
The changes are subtle. There are crocuses and daffodils in my garden, the
witch hazel is blooming, and buds are peaking out from beneath the leaves.
Ducks court each other loudly in the ponds. Wood frogs serenade me from the
vernal pond. Next week I will start looking for mayflowers.
- Judy Savage - April 2007
Round Pond has finally frozen with this last cold spell. Long Pond remains
ice-free. With snow on the ground I can see the fox tracks, which have been
invisible so far this winter. The stars are incredibly brilliant this time
of year, visible through leafless trees and magnified by the dark.
- Judy Savage - January 2007
One night last week I went out with one of my neighbors to check out
the action in the Vernal Ponds. Jessica works for the Wildlands Trust,
so knows what to look for. Serenaded by wood frogs and up to our knees
in muck, we found tadpoles and dragonfly larvae. We were looking for
spotted salamanders and migrating frogs looking for mates, but it was
still early. Spring comes a little later here at Camp.
- Judy Savage - April 2006
The winter has been mild so far, and our need for plowing minor. There aren't
too many foxes around. The pond freezes and melts, and then freezes again.
Both Round Pond and Long Pond are amazingly full. Wild turkeys continue to
roam the paths in large groups, almost like campers going from one activity
to another, happily discussing their day.
- Judy Savage - January 2006
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