Nice looking syrup. As to the buds, the sap will be ok until the buds start to show a little green. As the season progresses, if you are not sure, do a test boil. Buddy sap will smell like old gym socks as it boils. Until a test boil smells like that, you can continue making syrup. Don't test it with some good concentrate in the pan, start a fresh batch to test.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.