The other day I spotted a chipmunk in one of my birdhouses. I don’t know if he thought the birdhouse would be drier than his underground tunnels with the melting snow or if he is a teenager wanting a tree house to play in. And it looks like he stuffed his mouth full of my bird seed so he could play all day in his boy’s fort without going home for lunch.
Chipmunk Tree House
I’m not sure that April snow showers bring May flowers especially if the snow doesn’t stop. But there was a little hint of spring when I was down by the pond this evening. There was some green shoots of the blue flag flower but it will be a couple more months before there are some blossoms to see.
Northern Blue Flag
The word must have spread that the ice was off my pond as today I had seven wood ducks and a pair of geese swimming around. Although there was only one female wood duck, the colorful males sure brightened up the scene.
Wood Duck Pair
As the temperature remained above freezing last night, most of the pond ice melted which allowed some mallards to enjoy the open water today and dabbled for food. At least when the two males weren’t chasing each other as there was only one female. But it will be a couple months before any baby mallards can be spotted enjoying a swim at the pond.
Waiting for Baby Ducks
Well at least Mother Nature didn’t play an April Fools Day joke today with more snow, although the forecast does have some snow for later tonight. But the joke is that there still isn’t hint of any spring flowers yet.
No Wildflowers Joke
Last year at this time of year, my pond was filled with ducks and geese. But the two pair of geese and my lone duck have vanished for days since the pond has frozen over solid again so no open water. And the snow today created a white layer on the surface. Maybe tomorrow, if the sun comes out, it will melt a hole back in the ice again.
Waiting to Thaw
Morning revealed an icy coating on most of the surfaces outside, as even the individual pine needles were coated in ice.
Icy Needles
I think this squirrel heard the forecast and is shocked about the sleet and snow coming when it is supposed to be spring.
What Squirrel
Yesterday a pair of sandhill cranes were walking across a field, but later this week the field may be covered with snow again. Although with their long legs, the cranes would have an easier time walking through the snow than I would.
Springtime Sandhill Cranes
It probably is a good thing that there is no hint of spring wildflowers yet, not when the temperature dropped down to 10 degrees overnight and minus zero wind chills. Plus the forecast mentions the s word for several days so more likely to see snowflakes than white blossom petals.
No Wildflowers Yet
