April Showers, Wounded Dove

The rain returned the last day of March with 0.75 inch in a powerful 3 AM thunder and hail storm. In the morning, I checked the Woods to see what effect the storm had had.  All the trails were littered with small branches/ twigs down; but there were no larger fallen trees. East of Hackberry Alley on the Northwest trail, I found a dove energetically struggling - trying to fly or run away. It could not fly. Liz suggested it may have been damaged by the hail.

The West pond had 1.56 feet depth and East pond 1.55 feet. The Wash had water running, but jumping across at the Island was easy. Water had backed up towards the Beaver dam and stopped 50 feet short. 

I added another 35 large trees to the database Easter weekend.. many green ash north of the fallen big cottonwood and many medium large cottonwoods in a discrete patch southeast of Tall Stump. Interesting to see the patterns emerging from the map. The larger trees' establishment and growth reflect ecological processes 50-60 years ago: grazed or ungrazed, tended for nut harvest or not, disturbed or not. There are a few mystery trees I will enjoy figuring out when we have leaves. The elms all across the Woods produced flowers 3 weeks ago. The indian plum bloomed two weeks ago and is still blooming. The exotic Amur honeysuckle leafed out at the same time. This past week, the redbud flowers and box elder leaves are opening.

Unfortunately, the tick season appears to be ready to begin. Saturday temp rose above 80 F and I brought home 9 ticks: 3 good sized and six tiny seed ticks. Hopefully, rain and cooler weather will delay their full pest abundance for another month or two.

Yesterday and last night we had a delightful additional 2 inches of slow soft rain with more due today. This should soak in and do wonders for the soil. It should give the trees the deeper drink they've needed and power spring on into full bloom.