'Rumor in the air'

Eastern bluebird.

Eastern bluebird.

"In New York and New England the sap starts up in the sugar maple the very day the bluebird arrives, and sugar-making (see below) begins forthwith. The bird is generally a mere disembodied voice; a rumor in the air for two or three days before it takes visible shape before you.''

-- The late John Burroughs, naturalist and essayist.

"

Boiling off maple sap to make syrup in late winter and early spring.

Boiling off maple sap to make syrup in late winter and early spring.

The Green Mountain State is very  proud of its maple-syrup sector.

The Green Mountain State is very  proud of its maple-syrup sector.