Maple Sugar in Western Mass

If you look carefully, you can see the blue tubes that extract the sugar from the trees.

I miss the snow

It feels like ages ago that I was called to photograph Maple Sugar producers in Western Mass, and I almost forgot about it. That is, until I scrolled to CISA’s Instagram post: It states, “as the snow is disappearing and spring sweeps in, sending our appreciation to the maple producers who've been working their tails off this maple season. Pictured here, Paul Zononi, of Paul's Sugar House in Williamsburg, this past March. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I kind of miss the snow.

Paul and his helper. Can you smell the sugar?

I also visited the wonderful Dufresne Sugar House, and met Jacqueline.

She loves red.

Jacqueline told me the story of when historically people would only use cane sugar when company came over or for special occasions. And that for daily sugar, as it was called, they used maple syrup. Funny how things have become reversed over time.

I went back and visited the sugar house during boiling, at night.

So much has happened since I photographed this lovely season. The snow has completely melted. The daffodils are blooming and trees are blossoming. I’ve photographed so many people and things. I’ll be back with more little stories.