Earlier this week I managed to make my way back to the Silver Maple Grove to check in on my silver maple tree from a couple of weeks ago! I noticed a significant difference in the lower and upper buds on the tree in terms of development as the lower ones seemed farther behind on terms of blooming. Unfortunately, I was only able to reach the lower buds to capture an image, but I was able to get photos of some more developed buds (albeit, at a distance) from a few other, nearby silver maples.
Other than phenological changes in the trees in the grove, I was also able to spot some other sure signs of the arrival of spring. The whole area has begun to come alive with bird calls again, and I was able to identify Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the mix! I also spotted some budding and growth action on non-tree plants in the grove.
Perhaps my favorite part of this visit to the Intervale was these cool mosses and lichens that I found growing on a few of the silver maples in the area.
