Outdoors

Published
March 17, 2012

Birding: Unpredictable crossbills elusive – until visit to lake

In the fall, I had high hopes for a winter with tons of northern finches. Red spruce, balsam fir, tamarack and eastern hemlock trees were producing bumper crops of cones. These so-called mast years occur sporadically, and different tree species do not necessarily have mast years in the same years. The winter was shaping up as a marvelous […]
Published
March 17, 2012

Snowmobiling: Trail maintenance costs rise with snowmobiling’s popularity

Sometimes it takes someone “from away” to increase your appreciation of what lies in your own backyard. That briefly sums up the Snowmobile Trail Grooming Fund Survey conducted by Dr. Stephen Reiling of the University of Maine in Orono in conjunction with the Maine Snowmobile Association Trails Committee. During the past 15 years, resident registrations […]
Published
March 10, 2012

Enjoying fruits of a storm

Local cross-country skiers finally get a chance to hit the trails after the first big snowfall in a couple months.
Published
March 10, 2012

Allen Afield: Senses alert to nature’s springing

Spring sounds start in earnest this month and pick up momentum in April, and the angle of the sun’s rays dictates the timing of nature’s canorous and at times cacophonous timetable. One way or the other, lots of spring harmonies and disharmonies catch our ears by mid-March, and one common critter fills the evening twilight […]
Published
March 10, 2012

Josh Christie: Taking skis out for test runs show gear makes a difference

Like a lot of weekend skiers, my quiver of skis is only one pair deep. The idea of a single “all mountain” ski is a tough one to nail down — especially here on the weather-variable East Coast — but it’s a more affordable option than different skis for every condition. My Atomic Metrons work […]

Published
March 10, 2012

Mark Latti: Mud season events give us plenty of ways to get ready for fun

March in Maine can be maddening for those who enjoy the outdoors. It can be spectacular, or just as easily, downright miserable. As we have already experienced this March, you can have sunny days in the 50s, a foot of snow, deluges of rain and these can all come in the same week. So while […]
Published
March 10, 2012

Kid Tracks: Surprising items find place in first-aid kit

My family’s first-aid kit has seen plenty of action over the years. The tweezers have regularly removed ticks and the baby wipes have saved us from poison ivy outbreaks. The plastic card has earned a permanent place in our kit since we discovered its leech removal abilities, and we always carry small bottles of meat […]
Published
March 10, 2012

Bean’s Spring Fishing Weekend March 16-18

Fishing celebrities, demos, seminars, hands-on and activities for the whole family headline L.L.Bean’s 22nd annual celebration of all things fishing March 16 through 18. Lefty Kreh, Lou Tabory and best-selling fishing writer Chris Santella will be at the store Saturday and Sunday to visit customers, share stories and sign autographs during L.L.Bean’s Spring Fishing Weekend. […]
Published
March 10, 2012

Best Bets

TUESDAY Gray Ghost Fly Tiers 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Yarmouth Come learn how to tie flies. Cost is $10 for materials and lessons by pro tier Don Bastian. Meet at the First Parish Church in Yarmouth at 116 Main St. All welcome. Call 749-1593. WEDNESDAY Seth Wescott Day 5 p.m. in Camden The Camden Snow […]
Published
March 3, 2012

Gone fishin’ – as homework

Sanford High let Jeff Lemay catch and tag crappie as a science project, and it's turned into a real education.

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Outdoors