New Hampshire Nature Notes
by Eric Orff

I am so lucky to live amid the land owned by the local dairy farmers the Yeatons. The last week or so has been haying time. I just love the smell of fresh cut hay. Even the annual spreading of the liquid manure sends me back to my youth living on a dairy farm in Mapleton Maine. And just a drive by the farm can erase 60 years in a sniff. 

Sadly the carnage on the roads this time of year is terrible. I spotted a large snapping turtle smashed on route 28 here in town this morning. A turtle that size was probably 30 or 40 years old. Plus you can spot dead critters on pretty much any trip out this time of year. Raccoons, squirrels and opossums with a porcupine or two are the usual victims. So we all must be extra vigilant on our road trips this time of year.

I've had a hen turkey in my yard pretty much every day for more than a month now. I'm expecting to see her with her brood any day now. Deer seem to be on the move day and night now too.

So lots to see, hear and smell right now. The best time of year to be outside for sure.