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<\/a><\/p>\nYellow Trout Lilies glowed.<\/p>\n
Trilliums abounded: maybe this mild winter helped them or maybe the removal of so many trees brought more sunlight last spring to the forest floor?<\/p>\n The first Spotted Geraniums were testing their reception.<\/p>\n I’m pretty sure this Skunk Cabbage was planted by CVC but it was still nice to see one.<\/p>\n Another sign of a mild winter: no bird or animal had eaten these Poison Ivy berries, yet.<\/p>\n Marsh Marigolds were probably at their peak.<\/p>\n This Wood Aven was not doing well but hopefully it will get a few more leaves and even a blossom.<\/p>\n There were some Canada Mayflower leaves but no sign of flowers despite it being May 2 already.<\/p>\n Blue Violets brightened up the forest floor.<\/p>\n While blossoming trees and shrubs added dancing white petals above.<\/p>\n Bloodroot were still in full bloom but their leaves were starting to uncurl.<\/p>\n American Toads were trilling many places. They lounged around in mid-creek–until a Mallard came paddling up. Then they quickly swam to near the muddy reed-covered edge, ready to take cover.<\/p>\n I am pretty sure this Garter Snake must have just swallowed something.<\/p>\n It seems strangely thick-necked.<\/p>\n I watched a Mink run upstream beside the creek from my lazy watching post on the downstream bridge. No photo though: I was too enchanted to see it to react in time.<\/p>\n When the Green Heron flushed and flew upstream, I looked around for a reason. That’s when I saw a young Raccoon working its way downstream. I suspect the Heron did not trust it to get too close.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I don’t particularly like Eastern Grey Song Sparrows were singing almost everywhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Male Red-winged Blackbirds were chasing the competition and courting the ladies.<\/p>\n This bird flew to another, then away. The backlighting made it seem almost white.<\/p>\n I heard a few Baltimore Orioles before I finally saw one. This guy seems to be getting a lot of sticky Poplar threads stuck to it. Just like me!<\/p>\n A pair of Northern Flickers were trying to create more Flickers. Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers also put in an appearance.<\/p>\n While unfortunately so were a pair of Mute Swans.<\/p>\n I’m not sure if this self-satisfied male Mallard has a partner nearby or if he was a washout in the spring pair-up stakes.<\/p>\n If you know this is a Green Heron, then you will see it looks like one. Otherwise, you will have to take my word for it. I didn’t see it until it was flushed and it flew upstream from near the downstream bridge.<\/p>\n Common Grackles were flaunting their iridescence in the spring sunshine.<\/p>\n Yellow-rumped Warblers brightened up Old Poplar Row’s parking lot. There were also some Yellow Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat singing.<\/p>\n In the Lagoon, a pair of Common Mergansers shared a resting spot on a log with a couple of Yellowlegs. A Killdeer also flew by.<\/p>\n Black-capped Chickadees darted busily about at several locations.<\/p>\n There were two, possibly three, Caspian Terns in the Lagoon. You could see how shallow parts of it are when the rather short-legged birds waded around.<\/p>\n This Blue Jay is most likely planning to stay here for the summer, unlike some of the flocks passing overhead on migration.<\/p>\n This Blue-headed Vireo made me smile.<\/p>\n I really like the way they will willingly pose for a photo, too.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\nToad Seeks a Wife and Snavely Finds a Snack<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nMore Mammals Make Themselves Known<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nTree Rats<\/del> Squirrels but a family of teenaged ones were almost pretty.<\/p>\nA Bounty of Birds<\/h2>\n
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