The deep snow depth this winter was hard on the critters trying to forage for grass so the deer were grazing a lot on my pine trees but hopefully now that some ground is exposed they can find something better to eat.
Pine Snack
Picture of the Day for March 25, 2019
The robins were adding their voice to the bird choir along with the rest of the winter birds who seemed happy the sun was out and not snowing. Lofty voices were heard up high in the sky but I wasn’t able to spot the sandhill cranes as they flew overhead. With their large wingspan, cranes can ride the air thermals and they can stay aloft for many hours with only occasional flapping of their wings.
Sandhill Crane
Picture of the Day for March 24, 2019
I spotted these “creatures” in the road ditch. I didn’t know if they look more like soldiers in camouflage, cavemen in woolly mammoth coats or some other scary creature hiding along the road. But these creatures will eventually melt like the wicked witch of the west, whenever the sunshine can penetrate their pine needle coats.
Camouflage Creatures
Picture of the Day for March 23, 2019
There were a few more signs of spring today with the return of the red-winged blackbirds, some killdeers and the call of sandhill cranes. A few small patches of green popped in the woods too with moss emerging from the snow.
Green Moss
Picture of the Day for March 22, 2019
The snow melt continued today with the spring sunlight so there was areas where fields were covered with water. Driveways are also turning muddy now that the ice has melted. The flow of the Gooseberry River is rather calm as it reaches Lake Superior, although upstream has several waterfall drops, and is a pretty scene compared to the flooding waters.
Mouth of Gooseberry River
Picture of the Day for March 21, 2019
The scene out my front door doesn’t really look like the first full day of spring as it appears more like winter to me.
First Full Day of Spring
I posted this image a few years ago and it seems appropriate again for this year too.
Picture of the Day for March 20, 2019
The calendar said that spring arrived this evening, but with my yard still completely covered in snow, I don’t believe it. But I spotted the first spring robins back in a road ditch a few miles from my house so a hint of spring has arrived. I they can find some berries to eat since the ground is frozen so no worms for them yet.
Robins Return
Picture of the Day for March 19, 2019
It sounded like rain this afternoon with the melting snow dripping off my roof creating a deep cut to the ground in the four foot snow bank. Water does have the power to cut through even rock, although it might take a little longer than cutting through my snow banks. My snow bank cut wasn’t as impressive as the slice in this rock.
Slice in Rock
Picture of the Day for March 18, 2019
The birds were singing today but so far I haven’t heard any brave spring birds which have returned yet but they might want to see some ground without snow first. Although farther to the south, trumpeter swans have return already, but prior to 1935, seeing their return probably was a rare sight since their numbers had declined to 69 known individuals after widespread hunting in prior centuries.
Springtime Swan
Picture of the Day for March 17, 2019
It did not look very green today for St. Patrick’s Day especially when snowflakes were falling. And with a depth of several feet of snow in my yard, no clovers or shamrocks to find. This glen, after the snow melts, looks like a place where little leprechauns might be hiding and maybe a different Blarney stone.
Green in the Glen
