Serviceberry is one of the first flowering trees of spring in southern Maine.

South Pond in Warren proved to be a superb spot to enjoy the white flowers accentuated against backdrops of deep blue sky and the shoreside greens of hemlock and pine. Early settlers gave this common May bloomer its name because they had to wait until May for the ground to thaw in order to hold a burial for deceased family members. The serviceberry bloom dovetailed with the softening ground.

South Pond has a colony of cottages adjacent to the boat launch site, and some at the far southern end of the pond, but for the most part this 2-mile long pond offers seclusion and lots of bird life. We paddled for three hours; circling the lake and then snaking our way up to Route 1 via a sprawling bog at the northern end of the pond. We paddled at a time of high water. At low water you will be limited as to how far into the bog you can travel.

As we paddled under a railroad trestle into the bog a bald eagle stared down at us from a dead tree. Ten minutes later we saw three turkey vultures and that same eagle putting on an acrobatic show, vying for control of the airspace above the bog.

We were mesmerized with the emerging buds on oaks and other hardwoods. It seemed as if the buds were small going down the pond and larger an hour later coming up the pond. Were they really emerging that fast in the 70-degree warmth and powerful late morning sun?

Delicate yellow catkins hung down from the white birch emerging out of the cool forest shadows. They were dazzling in the sunlight. My wife thought they would make a stunning pair of earrings. Suspended in the air for all to see, these male catkins are pollinated by the wind.

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Green spiral staircases of skunk cabbage poked up out of low wet areas. Its transparent green was brilliantly backlit by the morning sun. Nature is the greatest artist; us humans most often are just clumsy imitators.

Round clusters of bright red flowers hung out over the water on gnarled maples. They looked like holiday tree ornaments. Some maples have all male flowers, some all female, and others a combination of both.

Geese and loon calls echoed up and down the pond. Our first kingfisher sighting of the spring occurred only minutes after setting out. A few earnest peeper calls mixed with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore.

We shared the pond with a couple of anglers working their annual spring hot spots from their canoe. On the western side of the pond across from the boat launch a vivid green meadow sloped up toward the highway. We looked for deer and turkeys but all we saw was brilliant green.

Consult the DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (map No. 14) for help in getting to the boat launch on the northeastern side of the pond. Turn right onto the Stirling Road at the Lie-Nielsen Tool Works on Route 1, a mile beyond the Knox-Lincoln County line. Take a quick right onto Depot Road and follow it for a mile to the gravel boat launch site. This spot was home to the Warren Railroad Station and a part of the Knox and Lincoln County Railroad, circa 1871.

South Pond is situated amidst a beautiful portion of the Midcoast. There are many fine post paddle options to consider before heading home. We decided to drive down to Cushing and visit the Olson House on Hathorne Point Road, made famous by Andrew Wyeth in his iconic 1948 painting, Christina’s World. The house is closed for restoration but the setting is spellbinding. It was hard to leave. Lobster rolls and sweet-tooth shopping at New England’s largest candy store in Wiscasset would have to wait.

Contrary to popular belief among hard-core rockers the town of Warren was not named for Warren Zevon, but for Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston who sent Paul Revere off on his famous midnight ride. In 1776, Warren became the first incorporated town in Knox Country.

Michael Perry is the former director of the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools, and founder of Dreams Unlimited, specializing in inspiring outdoor slide programs for civic groups, businesses, and schools. Contact: michaelj_perry@comcast.net

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