Bears, Bud Break, and Bird’s Nests
April 24, 2019 by New Hampshire Garden Solutions

April is being as changeable as March was and we’ve seen more April showers than April sun. I was driving home from work one day and saw this strange sky that was half cloudy and half blue and sunny, as if it couldn’t make up its mind. The clouds finally won out that day and it rained.

Deep in the woods where the sun doesn’t reach, you can still find ice and snow.

But the ice and snow is melting fast now in most areas and that coupled with rain has prompted the usual spring flood warnings. The flooding seems to worsen every year; this stream appeared out of nowhere and ran where I’ve never seen a stream run before.

Moles told me that the ground had thawed.

And thawed ground gets the earth growing again, as these American white ash (Fraxinus americana) buds show. They appear before the leaves and can sometimes be colorful and sometimes black as blackberries. The Wabanaki Indian tribes made their baskets from ash. Some tribes believed ash was poisonous to rattlesnakes and used ash canes to chase them away.

Some of the most beautiful things that happen in a northeastern forest are starting to happen now, and I hope everyone living in the area will have a chance to witness them. Bud break, when a plant’s bud scales open to reveal the new leaves or flowers within, can be a very beautiful thing, as we see here in the velvety buds of striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum.) The larger center bud’s scales have just opened and leaves will appear shortly. Bud break can go on for quite some time among various species; striped and sugar maples follow cherry, and birch and beech will follow them, and shagbark hickory will follow birch and beech. Oaks are usually one of the last to show leaves. That’s just a small sampling that doesn’t include shrubs like lilac and forest floor plants that also have beautiful buds breaking.

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) bud break begins when the normally straight buds start to curl, as in the above photo. The curling is caused by the cells on the sunny side of the bud growing faster than those on the shaded side. This creates a tension that curls the bud and eventually causes the bud scales to pull apart so the leaves can emerge. At the bud’s location on the tree branch an entire year’s new leaves and stems will often grow from a single bud. Beech bud break doesn’t usually start until mid-May, so I think the example in this photo is a fluke caused by early warmth. Many others haven’t curled yet but I’ll be watching this tree closely.

The buds on many trees haven’t opened but here was a young maple seedling that jumped the gun. I was very surprised to see it already wearing leaves.

Red elderberry buds (Sambucus racemosa) are also opening, but they’re at different stages in different places and that reminds me what a large part sunlight and warmth play in bud break. The little fingers on each side of the flower bud are leaves and it doesn’t take them long to unfurl. In a day or two this bud will look completely different.

Here is another red elderberry, with the purple flower buds in the center and leaves to either side. It’s hard to believe that those tiny fingers open to such big, beautiful leaves but they do. The purple buds will quickly become white flowers, and the flowers will be followed by bright red berries which birds love.

I saw the red elderberry in the previous photo leafing out on the trail in Westmoreland that I follow to see wild columbines, blue cohosh, and other plants. I was going to see if the blue cohosh shoots had come up when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. It was a huge black bear coming down the hillside off to the right of the trail, right toward me. Our paths would have crossed in less than a minute but it finally turned and walked back up up the hill a bit before turning again and watching me, as if sizing me up. I threw my arms in the air and yelled “Hey bear!” a couple of times. This might sound silly but they say you should “make yourself big and make noise” when you encounter a bear. In theory it’s supposed to scare them away, but this one didn’t scare at all; instead it just kept staring and probably wondered if I had lost my marbles. After taking a couple of shaky photos I turned and left the forest to the bear, walking slowly so it didn’t think I was running away. Thankfully it didn’t come after me because it could have covered the distance in seconds and since you can’t outrun, out swim, or out climb a bear the contest would have been over quickly. This is a known bear area and ironically this was the first time I had come out here without bear spray. I don’t know if this one would have even blinked at bear spray anyway, but I hope I never have to find out. A bear that has lost its fear of man can be a very dangerous animal and I didn’t sense much fear in this one. I won’t be going out there without bear spray again, that I’m sure of.

Since I live in a forest and work in a forest and spend most of my free time in forests, I see a lot of trees. But I don’t see many like these two. If two trees or parts of trees like limbs or roots of the same species grow close enough together the wind can make them rub against each other, wearing the outer bark away. Once the outer bark wears away and the cambium or inner bark touches, the trees can become naturally grafted together. The process is called inosculation and isn’t as rare as we might think. I see at least a couple of self or naturally grafted trees each year. From what I can tell these two maples had limbs that rubbed together and finally grew together.

For years I’ve noticed that a soapy foam forms at the base of certain white pine trees (Pinus strobus) when it rains. Sometimes it is in just a spot or two and at other times it nearly circles the entire tree. This happens because when there is a drought or dry spell salts, acids and other particles from the air can coat the bark. Soap is essentially made from salts and acids and when it rains, these natural salts and acids mix with the water and begin to froth. The froth (foam) is from the natural agitation of the mixture when it finds its way around bark plates as it flows toward the ground.

I saw a strange looking branch on the river bank. I can’t remember ever seeing one like it.

I don’t know if these marks are leaf scars or lenticels (breathing pores.) It reminds me of a palm, but how a palm stem would have gotten into the Ashuelot River, I don’t know. If you can identify it I’d love to hear from you. Actually I’d love to hear from you anyway, but I think you know what I mean.

I saw a tiny bird’s nest that wasn’t even as big as a tennis ball. I don’t know if it was a hummingbird’s nest or a slightly larger bird. It was built in a young oak tree. I’ve seen lots of eastern phoebes in this area but I think the nest was too small even for those small birds.

I finally saw a winter dark firefly (Ellychnia corrusca.) According to Bugguide.net, these fireflies can be a pest in sap buckets in the spring because they like maple sap, and they will also drink from wounds in maple trees. They like to sun themselves on the sunny side of trees or buildings, but this one seemed happy on a door window. Most fireflies live as larvae in rotting wood and forest litter near water and stay in the area they were born in, even as adults. They like it warm and humid, and this recent April day was both. They don’t seem to be afraid of people at all; I’ve gotten quite close to them several times.

On one snowy day I found a fallen limb which was covered by what I think was orange crust fungus (Stereum complicatum,) which is very common here. I see large fallen limbs almost completely covered by it. Its color is so bright sometimes it shines like a beacon, especially in a snowy landscape on a cloudy day. The complicatum part of its scientific name means “folded back on itself” and that is often just what it does.

They’re beautiful things but crust fungi like a lot of water so they’re at their peak on a damp day or when they’re covered by snow. They look quite different when dry.

Blue is my favorite color and someone must know that because all of the sudden I seem to be seeing blue wherever I go. Just a shot time ago I found a small block of an unknown material that looked like plastic or dry play dough and crumbled easily. It was colored the same beautiful shade of blue as this strange material was. This time this whatever it was covered a limb of a young tree. When I felt it I thought of bubblegum and when I looked at my fingers they were stained blue as if I had touched paint. I haven’t been able to answer the questions of what it was or why it was on a tree branch.
When you gaze out on a quiet, peaceful meadow, next to a still pond, under a motionless blue sky, you wonder how the noisy, busy cacophony of life could have arisen from such a silent, motionless beginning.~Anonymous
Thanks for coming by.
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Posted in General gardening | 53 Comments
Wow, that’s some close encounter with a bear! Great photo, though. While we were in the Smokies there was a traffic jam with people getting out of their cars, often with their children, to get up close and take pictures of a bear. So dumb!
Thanks! I agree, I wouldn’t want my children anywhere near a bear.
I’ve got your website bookmarked and filed next to Tootlepedal’s. I read both websites regularly, although I don’t often leave comments, as I don’t always have anything interesting to write. Thank you for all the hard work, it is much appreciated.
You’re welcome, and thanks for letting me know you’re enjoying the blog.
What an interesting post! The bear photo is wonderful! I am amazed you were able to take it.
I hope you don’t get too severe flooding and you get a little more sunshine in the next few weeks. We need rain, as East Anglia (where I live) has had too little rain for a year now and the water table is exceptionally low.
I always enjoy seeing your shots of bud break and these today are lovely!
Thank you Clare! I’m just as amazed as you are that I got that shot.
The flooding in this part of the state wasn’t bad but northern sections are still under flood warnings. I hope you’ll see more sustantial rains soon.
Bud break is an amazing thing to watch!
Wow the big bear! We haven’t come across bear on the trail, once in Canada we were hiking a trail with tall shrubs on both sides. I kept clapping my hands and calling “Hey bear”, There were also moose in the area, we did see a moose but we were in the car at the time.
I saw the Red elderberry buds last week here! The Maple-leaved Viburnum, serviceberry, Black Cherry, Bladdernut, have all leafed out this week!
Great pictures as always, and so much good information. Thanks.
Thanks Chris! A trail in Canada with tall shrubs on either side is a scary thought! I walk one like that here and it’s always a bit unnerving to pass through that part of it.
I’ve never seen a moose here but we do have them. I’ve heard they can be mean!
Your spring is ahead of ours bu the trees are starting to leaf out now. Maples especially.
Okay. Rick’s response.
“Nice to hear from you! Thankfully spring has begun to bring a few things of interest out.
Nothing blue or purple for me. Looks like an old heat/UV melted balloon! I’ve never seen anything of that color in nature short of under the sea!”
Me: maybe some balloons are being made with more environmentally “friendly” material. Sun and rain break them down with a gooey stage.
Another thought is many loggers are messy and maybe left behind something very long lasting.
Guess for now, one for the mystery file. 🙂
Maybe!
Hi Alan! I agree with Thomas that it’s a beaver stick. One with a lot of time to be thorough! Think I can see the tell-tail, angled cut on the end too. Not proof, but another clue?
I wonder if the bear was looking hard at you (the human) to see if you were going to offer up food. Less aggressive than just expectant. But you were there, so know better the vibe.
I forwarded the blue substance photo to a local mushroom guru. Dr Rick Van de Poll. (Awesome guy!) And will pass on any thoughts. Could it be the type you are familiar with and that others guessed – just in a super hydrated state. Or different growth phase?
As always. Very interesting post! – Cindy
Thank you Cindy. I can’t say the stick definitely wasn’t done by a beaver but I’ve been around beaver swamps for over 50 years and have never seen anything like it made by a beaver.
I don’t know what motivated the bear but being stared at by something that big was a bit unsettling!
No, that was no fungus. Crust fungi look entirely different, dry or hydrated.
Lots of interesting things in this post! I, too, noticed that unusual cloud bank as the storm moved in – a definitive front if I ever saw one. Love the elderberry bud macro – very cool look. That strange stick may be a root, possibly cattail? And could that blue be from a paint ball? Lots of enthusiasts of that sport around here!
Thank you Eliza. That stick might be a root but it’s very straight and stiff like a branch. I’ve never seen another like it.
The blue goo might be from a paintball but if so they only shot one. It was weird!
You’ve got me humming, “If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.” I am glad that things are warming up leaves are breaking out at last.
Like my sister, I really liked that shade of blue whatever it was.
I haven’t heard that song but I’ll take your word for it.
Your bluebells are quite close to that shade of blue I think.
The blue is so vibrant! I agree with the previous post, I love a good challenge. Following a quick search I think it may be the Colbalt Crust, Terana Caerulea. Your posts are fascinating and I am learning so much. I enjoying taking close-up photos of the various plants in the area. There is so much to see. Thanks for sharing!
This post has many photos… https://www.forestfloornarrative.com/blog/2017/12/1/fungifriday-the-cobalt-crust
Thanks very much. No, I’m quite familiar with cobalt crust fungus and it doesn’t look anything like this gooey stuff. If you pictured the orange crust fungus in this post being cobalt blue with lighter shading, that’s what cobalt crust looks like. I appreaciate the help though!
What a great encounter with the bear, and a great photo! I went into an area yesterday that is heavily populated with them too, but didn’t get to see any. I really love black bears; Griz, not so much.
Thanks Montucky! No, I’m very thankful this wasn’t a grizzly!
If the bear had kept moving it would have been okay but the way it just stopped and stared was a little disturbing. It looked like it was trying to make up its mind about something, and that something was me.
I’m glad you and the bear parted amicably. Bears have come through our yard frequently, but I’ve only met one in the woods. Our paths were at right angles and the bear was downhill from me I stopped and told my Shepherd to stand. She did about twenty feet ahead of me, hackles up, no sound. Bear knew we were there, but never looked, just ambled along as if he had not a care in the world. Well, maybe he didn’t, but we returned back the way we came .
Thank you. Like you I’ve only met one in the woods but have had them in my yard. I wish I’d had a dog with me!
The scary part of this encounter was how it stopped and stared and wasn’t at all scared.
have seen similar sticks several times, normally near water and always figured they were just sign of beaver breakfast (or lunch on just nibbles)
Thank you Thomas. I don’t thinks so but you never know. The marks on this one seemed too regular to be made by an animal. They kind of spiraled up the branch.
Phoebes typically nest on a shelf of some kind and their nests are much bigger. Hummingbird nests are small and round and perched, not suspended. This page shows a red-eyed vireo nest as a possibility, but there may be other possibilities: https://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/which-bird-made-that-nest
Thank you again Pat. Susan also said Red-eyed Vireo so I think you might be onto something. I appreciate you taking the time to look these things up! Since we all learn from it I’m sure the other readers do as well.
Love the bear! Thank you for braving the photo shoot before making your escape. My guess on the nest would be Red-eyed Vireo. -Susan
Thank you Susan. I was surprised the photos were even useable because I’m sure I was a little shaky!
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Red-eyed Vireo but I looked its nest up and yes, I agree that it does fit, but so does a humming bird’s nest. I think the humming bird’s nest might be smaller though. I’ve seen nests smaller than this one.
The difference is that hummer nests are not suspended like the one you pictured. They are typically round and tight and perched on the fork of a branch. And they are really small. As the birds grow, they barely fit in it.
Thanks again Pat, I’m glad to know these things! Though I love them birds and I aren’t a good fit due to colorblindness, so I welcome the help.
I love blue too, and mysteries, so I couldn’t resist a challenge. I wonder if the blue goo on a stick could be a young Terana caerulea. If you search, you will find several links about it. Here is one: https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/terana-caerulea.php
Thank you Pat but no, I’ve held sticks with cobalt crust fungi on them and it looks nothing like this goo. Also, cobalt crust grows only on dead limbs, if I remember correctly. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of “Plasti-Dip” but that’s what it reminded me of. It’s a liquid plastic that you dip tool handles in and then it hardens when exposed to air. But why it would be in the woods on a tree branch, I don’t know.
Glad you survived safely your encounter with that bear and spotted it in time. That blue was an astonishing colour.
Thank you Susan. I wasn’t sure what that bear was going to do but luckily it didn’t seem like he was sure what I’d do either, so it was a stalemate.
I love that shade of blue!
Great post and info – but YIKES – that bear would make me think twice about stepping into the forest again soon. Or at least until it had a full belly!
Thank you Cathy. I’ve been in these woods for 50+ years and that’s the only bear I’ve met in the actual forest so I think the chances are really very slim.
On the other hand I’ve had two bears in my yard and another walked right down the road in front of my house. Yet another one ran across the road in front of me and it was running as fast as a frieght train, so I’d never waste my time running away from one!
Great post, Alan! Can’t wait to find out about the mystery stick.
Our NH hummingbirds are ruby-throats, and their nests are 1 1/2″ to 2″ across, usually found on the fork of a branch or on top of a branch, anchored with spider webs.
Phoebes prefer to nest on ledges or platforms and they anchor their nests with mud.
Thanks very much Elaine. I don’t know how long you’ve been reading this blog but I occasionally mention that I don’t “do” birds because I’m colorblind, so I appreciate all the help I can get. Your description of the hummingbird’s nest fits this one, so that’s probably what it was.
This spot was near the river so maybe the phoebes come here just to feed, I’m not sure.
Wow, this is very timely. I saw that weird frothy stuff on a tree when I was hiking on a wet day a couple of weeks ago and my companion and I couldn’t figure out what it was or why it was there. Thanks for solving that mystery!
You’re welcome, and thank you. It took me quite a while to come up with the answer for that one a few years ago, and I finally found it online.
Love your name!
What a post! From this wonderful quotation “Some of the most beautiful things that happen in a northeastern forest are starting to happen now, and I hope everyone living in the area will have a chance to witness them.”; to an encounter with a black bear; to the beauty of budding leaves; to that amazing blue. A gold star for you!
Thank you Laurie. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean!
I saw a lot of interesting things for this post but I really never thought I’d see a bear.
A wonderful but heart-thumping experience. We have black bears in the woods behind our house. Fortunately they are shy and not aggressive.
Ours are usually shy as well but this one was anything but!
Yikes! I suppose different bears have different personalities, just like people.
Amazing photos as always, but the bear… I haven’t encountered one, and I’m afraid my head or any other part of my body wouldn’t function as planned. Remember your spray – stay safe. 🙂
Thank you Judy. I always thought the same thing but I was surprisingly calm. There aren’t many ways out of such a situation so I suppose your mind goes right into contemplating your options, and you’re too busy thinking to be scared. And the whole thing really was fascinating. That was a BIG bear.
I’ll definitely be carrying bear spray next time I’m out there!
BTW, I have read that bears respond well to a calm, soothing voice.
No wonder it stared at me when I yelled “Hey bear!”
Lovely set of photos there! I don’t know your ‘mystery stick’, but it looks interesting. Glad I don’t have bears here, a few coyotes, but they run away from me. 😊
Thanks! I’ve never seen a coyote but we do have them and I hear them howling occasionally. I’d love to see one.
I read your posts first thing in the morning, my best time of day, and it always amazes me how you photograph so perfectly such tiny creatures and buds. I come from the days of ‘processing’ film in darkrooms! Your bear story reminded me of the day I called my husband to come to the kitchen door to see the big dog next to the deck. As you’ve no doubt guessed by now the big dog was in fact a bear who lumbered off into the forest across the driveway and stood up against a pine tree.. Yikes! I wouldn’t want to meet that guy in the woods!!!
Thanks very much Sally, I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying these posts.
I’ve had bears in my yard as well but it’s different when you have walls and windows between you, I’ve discovered! I think I was more fascinated than frightened when I met this one but I was also fully aware of how big and unpredictable it was, so I quickly said so long.