Vernal Pools in Maine.
This time of year every year all of us who live in Maine breathe a, tentative, but huge sigh of relief. The snow has melted (most of it) and we are hopeful that we have seen the last of it draining away out of our yards. What makes us breathe this sigh of relief? The Peepers.
Most of us know that feeling when on the first warm evening, all of the sudden you hear them. Its like a sign from above that you can put away the parka and get out the wellies.
This year, having a very insecure, and perhaps a little mentally imbalanced lab, we knew the peepers had announced themselves as our dog, frantically turned in circles barking in the direction of the peepers...they would stop, she would take one step and they would start again which launched her into a frenzy of trying to place what and where that sound was coming from. They may have been messing with her, but hey, after being frozen for a winter, they had some pent up peeping to do.
This is the time of year to put on our boots and go out into the woods to find these amazing habitats that are more common in Maine than most other places.
This article today, from Forests for Maine's Future tells all about vernal pools... and reminds us to be mindful of their importance and how delicate they really are.
Teaming with life, these short lived pools in the woods remind us that spring is a rejuvenating time for all of us. Time to shake off the 14 feet of snow and break out the gardening gloves. Its time, get outside and be amazed at the way nature takes on spring.
Stay tuned for tomorrows Top Ten Facts about Vernal Pools, and head out to the Emmons Preserve, this surely is the time of year to see them there!
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