A new red maple poking out, one of so many I saw on my hike. I’m going to keep tabs on this particular one to see how it fares. Another native species.

Here is some yellow star grass I came across in the mountains of Maryland. Along with the mountain laurel I shared yesterday, this is another species native to the United States. I think I’m finding a new hiking hobby: document at least one native species each hike.

Cleaning out the attic. Why do I still have this? Behold the Toshiba T3400CT from 1994: i486SX-33 microprocessor, 120 MB storage, 4 MB RAM, a Megahertz 14,400 bps Fax Modem in the PCMCIA slot, and 640x480 color LCD (which was a big deal at the time). Ah, the memories.

The mountain laurels are blooming early this year in the Maryland mountains.

Beautiful evening in the mountains near Frederick, Maryland. I intended to hike, but decided to break out the 4-foot Tenkara rod I always pack along just in case. Tonight, only caught a few trees and bushes, but it was lovely. Great water levels and cool temperatures, such a nice time of year.

Hiking in the Catoctin mountains after heavy rains really drives home why this area is called the Frederick City Watershed. Temporary waterfalls are everywhere.

Spring is the best time to hike in the mountains. Here’s a Shagbark hickory coming to life on a rainy, cold day.

Did some hiking this evening and a few casts in a small, spring-fed creek that’s home to some small, spring-fed brook trout. Glad we still have brookies in Frederick County, Maryland — and just look at how clear that water is.

Made a new shooting board to go with a new shooting plane I picked up as a factory second a while back from Lee Valley. First time I’ve ever used a dedicated shooting plane with a track. What a pleasure to use.

Burnside Bridge, Antietam National Battlefield, earlier today. Beautiful spot, I’m only a little sad I can’t do some fly fishing here.