Springsounds

On Wednesday night I heard the first peepers caroling away in the wetlands beyond the Eastport Market.  These tiny frogs actually freeze to over-winter, so the fact that they’re thawed out and feeling frisky is good news to the snow-weary.  If you haven’t heard any yet, you can listen to a peeper recording here.

On Thursday I was down at the Day Park and heard the ice booming on Torch Lake.  That sound always takes me back to childhood and the wonder I felt as the ice broke up on Boom Lake.  For years I thought the lake was named for the sound it made in the spring.  Then I learned about lumbering history and the “booms” (rafts of logs) that floated in the lake.  I like my story better.

Might be time to dig out the field guides.  I like the ones by Stan Tekiela, and I’ve accumulated a pile of them.  They’re easy to use, full of helpful photos, and small enough to pack in a pocket.  For awhile I thought Stan was a Michigan specialist, but it turns out he’s done “Birds of” at least 40 states, along with mammals, amphibians &  reptiles, wildflowers, trees, mushrooms – even cactus.  Cactus!  He’s done so many things that I’m beginning to think he’s like Carolyn Keene – a nom de plume for dozens of writers.  Life is full of disillusionment, even in the spring.