The rain yesterday melted a lot of the snow, but there was a light coating of snow this morning. The squirrel didn’t have to wait too long this morning before the sun melted the new layer so he could find some acorns that the melting snowpack revealed.
Squirrel Snack Time
The wet day kept most of the critters out of sight, but at least it wasn’t snow. In late February and early March, skunks come out of their burrows when there is a streak of warm weather to find mates. And the other day, the odor in the air signaled their return. I don’t want to run into those smelly critters and rather see a different black and white kitty.
Black & White Kitty
The geese are making their spring return too, although I only saw four fly overhead today and they haven’t landed in my frozen pond yet.
Geese Coming North
By the end of the day, I had patches of ground showing as more snow melted, giving hope that spring is coming. At least some of the birds think so as I heard several sandhill cranes flying overhead, but when the temperatures cool off next week, they might decide to return south again.
Returning Sandhill Cranes
The snow is continuing to melt as well as the lake ice and in less than three weeks, the freighter ships will return to Lake Superior and this tug boat will resume its duties after its winter layup.
Off Work for the Winter
The warmer days and stronger sun is melting the snow but the sunset came too soon as there is still plenty of that white stuff to melt.
Snow Sunset
I saw a pheasant in the road ditch and I heard more of them calling in the woods, so there might be be a little bit of spring fever in the air.
Pheasant in a Tree
More critters seemed to be enjoying the sunny, warmer days as a dozen deer were digging through the snow for grass on the far side of the field. This evening some of them came down my driveway as they headed back into the woods for the night.
Deer Far Away
A flock of turkeys were enjoying the sunshine as they crossed the road in front of me. The tom turkey was the first to dash to the other side and I had to wait before the hens decided to venture across too.
Turkey Out for a Stroll
The wind today made it feel colder than the 40 degree day, but the sunshine was melting the snow. And the week is supposed to be above freezing so the snow pack will continue to shrink down.
Time for the Snow to Melt
