Blah

 That pretty much sums up my mood. It isn't good; it isn't bad; just blah. I'm doing all the things but I've lost my mojo. I feel like I'm just going through the motions of life and not much is happening. It would help if spring arrived properly without the shivery temperatures, the constant wind, and lots of rain. Maybe next week.

The Peeping Tom daffodils are always first to show and brighten up the day.

I was busy at the Discovery center putting together materials for upcoming educational visits and the Karner Blue Butterfly festival in May. It makes the time go quickly and makes me feel useful. Then off to hike the trails. I thought I picked a 3-4 mile one, but 5.5 miles later I finished. I had always wanted to see the prescribed burn areas and I came upon one. The last time I walked here it was overgrown and treed. Now it's quite bare. The burns are needed to preserve the Pine Bush and get rid of invasives. Hopefully this will fill in quickly this summer.

I was amazed at how precise the burn area is with it's crisp border. 😄

The burning also opens up the pine cones so seeds drop out and new trees will grow.

The unique ecosystem is basically sand dunes covered with pitch pines and scrub oak. It's always a dry place to hike even when it rained all night and early morning.

I didn't see much wildlife - just some geese and a hawk.

I'm a member of the Hudson Taconic Lands which is a forest conservation group. I hiked with them on Friday to see a tract of land that was just put under conservatorship with the organization. It is owned by the Boy Scouts of America, but they want it to remain ever wild. It's not open to the public, but we are allowed to hold group hikes when the scouts are not at the summer camp.

There was a swan at the other end of the Bernie Pond that everyone is looking at.

This tree was introduced as "Grandfather Tree" by the woman leading the hike.
She pointed out a den underneath it that has been shelter for bears, raccoons, and opposum.

There is room for 2 -3 people in there. A few brave souls wriggled in,
but it seemed the stuff of nightmares to me.

My usual walks around the neighborhood are keeping me clear headed.

The cows down the road are fun to chat with on my walks. I'll have to bring some change next walk, as there is a grain dispenser next to the gate. I'm not sure I want to walk for miles with cow spit on my hands though.

My thrift shopping find this week for $2. I'm not sure what I'll use it for,
but I love the embossed bees.

I'm going to get out of my funk and organize a bike ride next week, then my sister is going to visit for a few days. I'm really looking forward to that!