5/28/16 Demeritt Forest

Sunny and 70 but supposed to get to upper 80's so we got an early start. Lots of mosquitoes but the bug spray dealt with them. Neither of us was very enthusiastic so I decided we would do an hour and call it good.


Over for this dandelion

but a fresh fern

 Kelley always gets in this stream but today passed it by

for a mud hole in the trail

Bunchberry

 
Bringing up the rear as we near the end

This time she took advantage of the stream

A pretty day but I was glad we got out early. We headed home for me to get some garden work done and Kelley to lie around the yard.

5/26/16 City Forest

Since we have been doing alternate days this should have been an off day but supposed to rain tomorrow so we went to the forest for an hour.

Another beautiful sunny day but a bit of a breeze so close ups were difficult.

Coming down the hill to the beaver pond

and into the pond

 This was growing near the pond - I think a wild apple

Pool along the trail

Don't know what these are

Last dip in the pond before we head up the hill

Only an hour but pleasant. Kelley did well and we met some friends of hers, so that was good. 

5/25/16 Marsh Island

Another pretty day. We tried to get to DeMeritt again but the road was still closed so this was our second choice - also in Orono.

The woods are now looking summery

with wildflowers. I also saw a few butterflies and dragonflies but could not get close to any on them.

Kelley found a nice muddy pool.

Over for the dandelion

The Penobscot looking north

 and south

Nice clean water for Kelley

But she was back in the muddy pool on our return.

I think these are apple blossoms. Not unusual to find them and I suspect they were once cultivated though are now wild looking.

A nice hike. Comfortable temps, no bugs, and Kelley did well. As usual, we met no one. 1  1/2 hours

5/23/16 Perch Pond

Nice day - mostly sunny with temps from upper 60's to 70's. Plan was to do DeMeritt Forest but they were working on the road and it was closed so we headed here which wasn't that far away.

Soon found some flowers

Alder cones leftover from last year.

Behind, because there is lots to check out at the start of the hike.

The small pond

 which Kelley took advantage of

The woods no longer look like winter !

Perch Pond

One of the places she was able to get in the pond.

A pleasant outing - comfortable temps, few bugs, no other people. Kelley seemed to enjoy it and did well. 1  3/4 hours 

5/21/16 Branch Lake

 Beautiful day - sun and upper 60's - lower 70's.

Spring is really here - a flowering shrub

and trillium once we got in the woods

The lake has a very rocky shore

so we have to seek out spots where Kelley can get in and out. Not always the best spots for a photo,

 also along the shore

A bit further along

New leaves

  A small stream near the end of our hike

This may be the same bush as the first, near the parking lot.

This was nice. Kelley did well. I think she is slower at times - I'm a naturally fast walker and I'm trying to modify my pace to match hers. Very peaceful as we met no one, which was surprising on a beautiful Saturday morning.  1  1/2 hours