Reminders

April 1st.....Opening day of trout season in New York and another year on the calendar has passed.  I had planned on writing a post describing how I plucked a number of beautiful little brookies from an idyllic mountain stream.  However, the "angling gods" decided that was not to be my fate today.  I could have gone to any number of stocked streams looking for rainbows and browns but I wanted a small stream to myself pursuing my favorite quarry.

The day began grey and kind of raw.  The water was running clear but low, which may have had something to do with my luck (or lack of it).  Not a single bite on the day, in fact I only saw one brookie the whole morning.  So I decided to give up and explore a little.  The way I figure, just getting to spend some time outdoors I win anyway despite the lack of trout.  The little cascade pictured above actually drew me away from the trail for a photo opportunity.  I find the concept of serendipity fascinating and moments like this are exactly why.

While I was taking a few photos I couldn't help but notice the item pictured above at my feet.  Here was a deer scapula just sitting there and it got me thinking. The scapula was all that was left from a deer that had once roamed these woods.  I could not help but think that here amidst all of the signs of spring and rebirth and  renewal, signs of death and the end of various cycles were still present.

New spring buds

A dead hemlock means life for insects and in turn the woodpeckers who feed on them.

Newly emerging Canada Mayflowers

I may not have found what I was looking for on this first day of trout season but I was reminded or the continual cycles going on around us at all times and the wonder it inspires.  For that, I will always be grateful and never disappointed.....but a few trout will never hurt.