Things in March: Maple Sap, Black Ice, and Snow Glitter

Snow glitter*
Photo by S. Vardatira

As of last Sunday, our neighborhood, backyard sugarhouse operation had hung 85 buckets. Hopeful that yesterday's 40 F temp might have set off a brief run of sap, they checked about a dozen buckets towards the end of the day. Half were bone dry, two had about a tablespoon of sap, two had about a quarter cup of sap, and two had about a half cup of sap. As they put it in their email blast to volunteer workers, "quite underwhelming." Still, it is some sign of life, and next week's temperatures look like they will cooperate, rising above freezing during the day, below freezing at night starting on Saturday and continuing at least through next week. Something to hang onto today, as another blast of cold overtakes us.

And speaking of cold overtaking us, a black ice advisory has just been issued for our area. Temps have now fallen to 27 F in Amherst – and will continue to fall - which means any snow melt/standing puddles of water are freezing. Untreated roads and sidewalks have black ice forming on them. Be careful out there.

*One of my photographic quests is to capture the glitter of sunlight on snow - what sometimes happens, usually early morning, when the rising sun reflects off the snow. I've always had a hard time translating this onto a photograph, but I keep trying. One such attempt here. At some point I will happen upon the perfect combination of ISO sensitivity, aperture, and shutter speed. But hopefully not too soon, as the quest is half the fun. At the same time, advice on this is always welcome!