Birch sap, partially evaporated
Frozen sap
Boiling sap
While thoroughly enjoyable, boiling sap over a fire takes constant tending in order to maintain a boil while not allowing the sap to boil over (as you can see it is doing in this picture). I only got about 1/2 pint of birch syrup. Deliciously painful...
The wood frogs, busy mating and laying eggs, make a ridiculous racket all day long.
Almost ready to finish at home! I boiled about 10 gallons of sap down on this day.
The Trout Lilies are sprouting up everywhere!
Bloodroot ready to unfurl.
Some Bloodroot already blooming. It is well-known that Bloodroot was used by the Indians as a dye and paint. When you break off a stem of this plant the sap exuded is a beautiful dark orange or red color. It is not surprising that Bloodroot, given it's name and properties, has a long history of being used for uterine problems. It is legendarily an abortive and used for the condition Amenorrhea (a lack of menstruation). Although Bloodroot can be dangerous in large amounts, it has been used to treat ringworm, burns and earaches. I have found frequent references to it's being used as an emetic (to induce vomiting) and so being a good cure for whooping cough and croup. The plant was also used during a period for treating cancers with some success.
False Hellebore - an extremely poisonous and also quite lovely swamp-dwelling plant
Watercress
Cider sampling (From the left - sumac wine, hard cider, sucanat & apple wine, maple & apple wine)
experimenting making cordage from bark
Spicebush buds
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