In 1869, gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar) that were being evaluated for silk production were blown from a window sill in Medford, Massachusetts. The first outbreak of gypsy moth occurred in 1889. By 1987, the gypsy moth had established itself throughout the Northeast and is now found throughout much of the Eastern United States. It is one of the most damaging pests of hardwood forests and urban landscapes, defoliating a million or more forested acres annually. Gypsy moths are spread over large areas primarily by shipment of infested nursery stock or any object on which eggs may be deposited.

Moral: Clean the crawlers off your car when traveling to new places. The moths keep spreading when we transport them.

Many people are breaking out in strange rashes from caterpillar exposure. Calagel seems to be the best anti itch medicine for these outbreaks.

Recent global studies show a worldwide decline of up to 40% in insect populations. This staggering decline has been attributed to the use of pesticides and the effects of climate change. Though we all hate black flies and mosquitoes, it is worth noting that without them other animals further up the food chain will perish. Being bit by a black fly promotes the next generation of food bank for the future of birds and squirrels. So next time ,when you scratch those welts on your arms, take a minute to congratulate yourself on your service to next generation of animal life on the planet. You have donated blood to the Insect Bio Mass International Red Cross. Paid for by IBMIRC.

What a “swell” guy.

Take West Stoneham road and bear left onto slide in road. Follow the signs to the honey. For $185 you can buy a colony of bees and meet your honey needs for years to come. You will also become a pollinator of fruit trees and flowers. They also have maple syrup and eggs.

Some folks around town don’t like snapping turtles because they occasionally eat innocent little ducklings or loon chicks . Truth is, mostly they live off plants and little animals. Over 500 million years of evolution has taught them to live under the ice all winter and use very little oxygen. One snapping turtle mama, like the one in the movie preview above, can lay up to 40 eggs.When the babies hatch they head out from the forest and high tail it to the lake. On the way they feed many of our favorite animal neighbors on the lake. (See button below). Moral to this story: In nature they all eat each other.

Note: The snapper in the movie was given a sleigh ride to keep it away from big dogs. Normally it is best to let mama snappers find there own way to the egg land. Snappers are also very shy of people so don’t worry about swimming with them.

I met her yesterday.

She had spent the winter

under the ice,

holding her breath

and when I looked into her eyes

I could see she had something to tell me

Later that day,

while standing under a flowering cherry tree,

engulfed in cloud

of hungry mosquitoes ,

I felt the urge lay my eggs

and move on.

barry lane

Are you interested in preserving our beautiful lake and its creatures for generations to come? You may want to join FOLK :Friends of Lake Keewaydin. Contact Adam at adamfhelm@gmail.com for more information.

Each spring the high waters often dislodge a float from a Keewaydin Residents beach. The photo above shows such a float. If it’s yours go to Checkerberry Cove on Ban Grover Road to retrieve it.

fletcher17@earthlink.net for prints

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The spring bears have woken up and are looking for your bird feeder. To be safe take in the feeders at night.

Zhuangzi and Huizi were crossing the Hao River by the dam.

Zhuangzi said, “See how free the fishes leap and dart: that is their happiness.”

Huizi replied, “Since you are not a fish, how do you know what makes fishes happy?”

Zhuangzi said, “Since you are not I, how can you possibly know that I do not know what makes fishes happy?”

Huizi argued, “If I, not being you, cannot know what you know, it follows that you, not being a fish, cannot know what they know. The argument is complete!”

Zhuangzi said, “Wait a minute! Let us get back to the original question. What you asked me was ‘How do you know what makes fishes happy?’ From the terms of your question, you evidently know I know what makes fishes happy.

“I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.”

If you are 65 or older, subscribe to Stoneham Rescue and save lots of money if you end up using the ambulance service this year.

If you are single, send check for $35 to the address below. If you are a couple, send $55. You are also welcome to send more money as a charitable donation.

photo by Sam Guarnaccia