Spring Has Sprung...I think.

We woke up to very mild temperatures on the first day of spring, but were soon feeling the effects of a negative 10 wind chill later in the day.  Brrrrr!

 Although I haven't been able to sneak up on any Chorus frogs yet, their singing has been deafening in the forest this week  It always make me laugh when approaching wet areas teeming with the sounds of frogs. Before I can get within 3 metres of the water, the noise stops abruptly. They must have a master chorus leader instructing when "danger" is near.  Trying to locate one is next to impossible. (These pictures are from 2018.)

Their reason for making all the racket?? To find a mate, of course!

A Wooly Bear Caterpillar decided to celebrate spring and 
St. Patty's Day.  He was on our house brick early that morning.

Snowdrops were in bloom this week in Canatara Park!

I spied a sleepy Screech Owl in a Wood Duck box on Monday.  
It wasn't quite warm enough to come out of the box that day.

Usually Praying Mantis Egg Cases are well hidden in long grasses so I was surprised

 to see this one on a small tree.  If students ever get to come on a field trip this spring, it will be an easy one to point out to an entire class. Over 100 tiny replicas of the adult will emerge around the first week of June.

I liked the reflection of this male Red-winged Blackbird.  
I haven't seen any females yet this year.

Many of our Black Bird species can actually be quite colourful in the 
right light, including this Common Grackle at a backyard bird feeder.

Another colourful, but invasive bird is the European Starling.

A male Cardinal rests in the sunshine.
Birding has been referred to as the perfect activity while practicing social distancing!  
Stay safe everyone!