Well, we didn't quite get the manuscript to IU Press, as one of my outside expert readers hasn't quite finished the task. My sponsoring editor was out last week anyway, so hopefully it will be in her hands by this time next week. I did get Jim Thom's foreword, which I posted on the Natural Bloomington website. Click here for the piece and an elaboration on the headline.
I've also posted a Photo Album from a recent trip to the Middlefork Waterfowl Resting Area on Monroe Lake's far eastern reaches just across the Monroe-Brown County line. We crossed the sign that said the refuge was closed until April 15 and ventured in a short way anyway. I've been assured by lake Naturalist Jill Vance that this marsh area is open April 1, and the sign is wrong.
We agreed, however, that there's no harm in keeping humans out for another 15 days a year, so I'm going to leave April 15 as the open date in the book. Besides, it wouldn't reflect well on the book if eco-travelers drive seven miles into the Brown County wilds for an outdoor adventure and find themselves face to face with a "No Trespassing" sign.