I’ve had many marvelous nature moments this week. A small porcupine, with its slow side-to-side rolling walk, crossed a gravel road and meandered into the woods without appearing to take notice of me - not surprising given their poor eyesight.

I took time for daily observation of beech leaves to watch them transition from small mouse ear size to drooping dog ears (as I call them) to almost full expansion. I photographed the leaves in bright sunshine from above, below, and side. The thick corrugated leaf edge will soon flatten as the leaves mature. To see more photos and my observations from last year read Nature Note 83.

I also photographed a beautiful white trillium in full bloom. As it ages, the flower will take on a pink tinge.

Yesterday I noticed that the black flies have emerged. As they swarmed by face, I reminded myself that they are a sign of healthy water quality and a much-needed food source for birds and bats – which were out as well! I observed the foraging flights of Hoary, Silver-haired, and Big Brown bats – three of Maine’s eight species.