Springtime in Central NY

This time of year is amazing.   There is so much going on and while I truly love the winter, springtime is always a welcome change.  The fields are greening up and the trees are budding more with each passing day. Just over the past week, I've seen turkeys fanned out and  gobbling, heard the "peepers" at night as I lay in bed with the window open and watched muskrats swimming in my pond as they prepare for a new litter of offspring.  One of my favorite spring rituals is to walk along the river bank, listening to the redwinged black birds as I make a few casts. This is a great time of year to cut wood - before it gets too hot and the bugs come out.  Its also the best time to go shed horn hunting (before the ferns sprout up and evertying turns bright green).  That's the time to follow the winter deer trails looking for a dropped antler to put on the book shelf or mantle at home or at camp.  For those who have never tried "shed hunting", follow the winter trails where the deer were confined by deep snow....many times near water, i.e. rivers and streams.  Keep your eyes searching for the whiteness of a tyne against the bare ground or an unusual branch of an antler.  Pay special attention where deer might jump a log, bend down to feed or cross a stone wall or fence.  Many times that is where the antler may fall.  Remember while you're out there looking to smell the spring air, listen for a gobble and enjoy the sounds of the birds and the peepers....Have a great spring!  Dan Christmas