The snow is melting again, making it all muddy again. It was beautiful to walk outside this morning: the fog from the snowmelt was hanging heavy in the air.
Oh. Also got more water delivered. (No, I much prefer the taste of the Arbor Springs water to that of the very mineraly groundwater.)
Kamis, 16 Februari 2012
Rabu, 08 Februari 2012
Property committee meeting
The property committee met today to discuss the conditions and problems of the three SNRE-managed properties: Saginaw Forest, the Newcomb Tract, and Stinchfield Woods. I discussed the continued problem of falling ash trees, and the possibility of removing these trees in the forest - for issues of safety and access.
Similar problems are found in the other properties.
Other topics were discussed, too.
Similar problems are found in the other properties.
Other topics were discussed, too.
Sabtu, 04 Februari 2012
Warm(ish) weather, dog walkers, and leash laws
Saturday's weather was quite warm, and - as I made my rounds of the property - I came across several people who were walking their dogs off-leash. Each person that I encountered got the same message: please put your dog on its leash, and please come back when you want to follow the rules. The rules are - again - very simple: dogs must be on leash. Saginaw Forest is not a dog park. Saginaw Forest is not public lands. Saginaw Forest is a research facility of the University of Michigan. As such, failing to follow the rules of use of the land owner constitutes a failure to follow the law.
Even if it were public lands, state law requires that dogs be on leash in public unless they are working dogs. However, the only kind of dog that can be "working" in Saginaw Forest by visitors is a guide dog, which - by necessity - must be on its lead.
Again, if people do not like the rule (or the law that supports the right of the landowner to set the rules of use for the property), then they can make complaints to the appropriate people. However, the fact remains that if you are not following the rules, then you will be informed that you will be welcome to return to the forest once you care to follow the rules, but that until that time, you must leave.
If your dog does not like walking on leash (or you don't like walking your dog on leash), and you don't want to get angry at being informed you that you are breaking the law, then don't bring your dog to Saginaw Forest and let it off its leash.
Even if it were public lands, state law requires that dogs be on leash in public unless they are working dogs. However, the only kind of dog that can be "working" in Saginaw Forest by visitors is a guide dog, which - by necessity - must be on its lead.
Again, if people do not like the rule (or the law that supports the right of the landowner to set the rules of use for the property), then they can make complaints to the appropriate people. However, the fact remains that if you are not following the rules, then you will be informed that you will be welcome to return to the forest once you care to follow the rules, but that until that time, you must leave.
If your dog does not like walking on leash (or you don't like walking your dog on leash), and you don't want to get angry at being informed you that you are breaking the law, then don't bring your dog to Saginaw Forest and let it off its leash.
Woodpeckers back
Last week, a flight of robins was rustling through the leaves near the cabin. The other day, a small "V" of geese flew overhead. Today, there are woodpeckers knocking through the woods.
Did I do a Rip Van Winkle? When was the winter?
Did I do a Rip Van Winkle? When was the winter?
Kamis, 02 Februari 2012
Soggy ground
All the snowmelt has not yet drained through the already saturated soil, and so the paths and the lawn are - in places - quite mushy. It feels like March weather... on Groundhog Day.
BTW, the groundhogs probably stuck their noses out of their burrows today, thought that winter was already over, and called it a day. I kid, but with the way that the weather has been this year, I'm surprised that there aren't more buds on trees and spring flowers popping up.
Also, at some point last year (or perhaps in 2010) a large oak branch partially broke off of one of the oaks standing above the cabin. It had been hanging there, and it was questionable whether it would crash on the roof or just along side it once it fell. Well, last night it fell, with the thick part of the branch landing - with a thump - just four feet from the corner of the cabin and the rest of it being hung up on the electrical wire that runs to the barn. It was not the most fun place to wield the chainsaw, but thankfully, the electrical wire is reinforced by a support cable. After about 10 minutes the obstacle was cleared, about 1/3 of it going into the burn pile.
BTW, the groundhogs probably stuck their noses out of their burrows today, thought that winter was already over, and called it a day. I kid, but with the way that the weather has been this year, I'm surprised that there aren't more buds on trees and spring flowers popping up.
Also, at some point last year (or perhaps in 2010) a large oak branch partially broke off of one of the oaks standing above the cabin. It had been hanging there, and it was questionable whether it would crash on the roof or just along side it once it fell. Well, last night it fell, with the thick part of the branch landing - with a thump - just four feet from the corner of the cabin and the rest of it being hung up on the electrical wire that runs to the barn. It was not the most fun place to wield the chainsaw, but thankfully, the electrical wire is reinforced by a support cable. After about 10 minutes the obstacle was cleared, about 1/3 of it going into the burn pile.
Rabu, 01 Februari 2012
Snowy owl sighting?
I saw an owl flying through Saginaw Forest as I came home tonight. It was too dark to tell much from its silhouette other than it was an owl, and about the right size for it to be a snowy owl. This, of course, could have been me having snowy owls on my mind from the reported sighting almost 1 month ago. Imagine my interest when I saw this news story about snowy owls migrating southward in record numbers:
Apparently, there is an "irruption" of snowy owls. From the USA Today:
Well, the possible presence of snowy owls in the forest could explain why I haven't seen (or heard) too many small rodents around the cabin...
Apparently, there is an "irruption" of snowy owls. From the USA Today:
Scientists say the likely reason for the explosion is that the owls' chief food source, small animals called lemmings, was abundant last summer, allowing the adults to raise more young. Now, in search of food, young owls are heading farther south.
Although there are a few snowy owls spotted in Michigan every year, "I can tell you this winter is highly unusual," said Karen Cleveland, bird biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
...
By early December, there were 60 sightings in 10 lower Michigan counties and 34 in the Upper Peninsula, according to bird experts who track sightings.
New ones are reported almost every day, although some may be the same birds.
...
In Michigan, the owls mostly eat small voles, mice and rabbits. Some are healthy, but others are weak and stressed. As youngsters, not all are good hunters yet.
The birds are federally protected, and possessing them without a special permit is against the law. People should keep their distance from the birds and be careful not to disturb them, said Cleveland, with the state Department of Natural Resources. Spooking them causes them to use up energy and weaken them. Unless a bird is clearly injured, it shouldn't be disturbed, she said.
Well, the possible presence of snowy owls in the forest could explain why I haven't seen (or heard) too many small rodents around the cabin...
All snow melted (again)
The temperatures of yesterday (which rose into the 50s) helped melt all the snow in the forest (well... save for where the snow got piled up when the plow came... seemingly ages ago).
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