March is always a surprise in Maine.
Snow suddenly disappears, and sap buckets show up on trees.
February here is always cold. Clear, but cold. Snow falls, winds blow. And March is often no better. But, right around the middle of the month a change occurs. The water starts to sparkle, the wind is softer, and the snow disappears. Yes, March is muddy as ground thaws. And often it is a very rainy time. But, as one looks out one sees willow trees with their branches showing yellow, and in places grass starts greening up. In short, one becomes aware that spring is on it’s way! People leave off wearing their winter coats. And one sees shorts- even when it is 34 degrees F.!
Some signs of March in Maine!
MAPLE TREE WITH SAP BUCKET
A familiar sight in Maine:
sap buckets hanging from trees.
Cold nights and warm days are needed to get the sap flowing up and down a tree.
About 40 gallons of sap are needed to make one gallon of syrup.
As the temperatures rise, ice melts.
A not uncommon sight is an ice house sinking!
AN ICE FISHING SHACK
that did not get pulled off of the ice in time!
CAT TAILS STANDING IN MARSHES
Though ratty looking they still hold seeds,
a favorite of the red wing blackbirds when they show up!
GARDENS LOOK BEDRAGGLED
But, gardeners are already thinking “SEEDS”!
GETTING READY FOR NEXT WINTER
Bringing in the wood never stops!