Most Maine children growing up within an hour’s driving distance of saltwater have caught Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), a ubiquitous and extremely cooperative species that swims along our coast and tidal rivers from late spring through early fall.

This year, spring weather has reminded me of April through June of my sophomore year in high school — rain and unseasonable cold punctuated by short, infrequent warm spells. We endured storm after storm, a pattern that continued into July. As of this writing in late May 2013, we have had the same meteorological menu.

Tourist season is upon us again. On May 28, Maine hosted a visit by a Eurasian collared dove. This bird showed up at a feeder in Falmouth. It represents the first record of the species in the state of Maine.

I don’t know about you, but I need to ease my way into summer hiking season here in Maine. Despite a winter spent in Maine’s outdoors, my legs don’t hit the month of June ready for miles and miles of through hikes. Before I get to the business of serious hiking, I like to spend my mornings and weekends on some shorter trails.