I find the bud shape of this native Viburnum to be very elegant and attractive. Here it is getting ready to leaf out (at last!).

Crows seem to catch toads and frogs fairly often in spring. No idea whether this amphibian was already dead or not when the crow got it. Crows are so successful because they will eat just about anything including carrion.

Sitting in the rockery in the Backyard Garden, this squirrel looked as if he had a very dirty face, perhaps from digging in the mud.

Our first warbler of the season! Diane found this beautiful bird underneath the feeder, grabbing seeds with the chickadees and juncos.

Junco numbers continue to increase, and their distinctive call and song can be heard throughout the garden

This is a different species of Andrenid bee than the one I photographed on maple sap earlier. These ones are much bigger and a lovely golden colour. They are the ones I typically see around the willow catkins. This was one of several exploring the Scillas, and really exploring... they were climbing in, around and over these flowers, and this one was working the Scilla for at least 5 minutes.

The pond is looking very sparse in terms of cattails. In past years we have had quite a thick stand of last year's cattails for the red-winged blackbirds to nest in. This year, the blackbirds are also sparse around the pond. There are far fewer nesting sites now. I am feeling a bit upset that we agreed to remove so many cattails a couple of years ago. However, I guess we didn't count on the muskrats eating so many roots, and then the beaver activity of the previous two winters contributed as they too will eat cattail roots.

Barry mentioned to me that he had seen a fire at the corner of the Old Field. Today was the first time I had a chance to get over there and sure enough, a big fire, one from this spring. The usual spot seems to have been abandoned in favour of this. It is likely time for a load of manure to be delivered here!

This old conifer with an ancient and decrepit nest box on it, has broken off and tipped down the slope. The tree has been dead for awhile and was used by various critters for many reason, including feeding on the insects that invade dying trees. In the stump I found a cozy hollow with the felted remains of a mouse nest that included several cardinal feathers in its composition.

Despite the chilly, windy conditions, this song sparrow was singing away from the top of a tree swallow box in the Old Field. Of course, they don't nest in boxes, but they find these ones a convenient perch from which to sing and attract a mate.

Barry was at the FWG and commented that the day was much less windy, and there were many bees around the willow flowers. He got this excellent shot of a honey bee coming in for a landing. Barry also noted that he saw a phoebe and northern flicker in addition to the juncos, goldfinches and other regulars. A hawk "exploded out of the New Woods by the barn and got chased toward the IC" by starlings. He said it had a long straight tail and was likely a cooper's hawk. Lots of things happening around the garden as spring comes on, including less desirable activities, such as a possible fire by the Old Field (it is that time of year again!), and a dog running into the pond. We need those signs back up there!

This is one corner of the Butterfly Meadow that Diane and her volunteers have been working on. The heavy rains of April 10 created little ponds all over the garden, including here. Diane is hoping to begin working again on the meadow soon, and anyone who lives in this area and would like to be involved is invited to turn out on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., meeting at the FWG interpretive centre.

More signs of spring with the emergence of these comfrey leaves. It won't be long before they are big enough to flower, providing nectar for many early insects. Considered an invasive species for their habit of spreading through natural areas (they are indigenous to Europe), we will be digging up some here and there at the FWG, but it is not a top priority invasive for us.

Another view, this one head-on, of the tiny (less than 1/2 an inch) bee.

This rather scruffy little gal is the one who chased the chipmunk off.

Another nest box, another tree swallow.

One of the earliest bees to be found in our area (along with honey bees, nomada bees, and colletes bees). This tiny little one was feeding hungrily on maple sap.

Robins were all over the place today, including at the FWG, calling constantly. This was one of several by the pond.

Many of the maples at FWG had lots of sap running down their trunks. A few flies were feeding (you can barely see one here), and squirrels were enjoying the sweet feast. But there were no other insects, it being, I guess, still too cold. Such sites are often attractive to overwintering butterflies such as mourning cloaks, wasps, bees, and other early insects.

This large stinkbug, approx. 15 mm in size, was sitting on top of sap running down the bark of a maple tree. He was one of the few insects I saw today at FWG. I was hoping for more, but I guess it was still cool enough this morning that it kept many early insects in hiding. There were some flies out, a few small black beetles, perhaps Carabid beetles, and this guy. There were also a lot of spiders around, and for sure some would have been wolf spiders (Lycosidae).

This pair of cooperative house finches was photographed by Jeewa. You can see how the female, on the right, would be easily mistaken for a sparrow.

Another lovely shot by Jeewa of the junco.

Jeewa noted that she saw a pair of these birds. The males have a very vibrant red breast at this time of year (breeding season!), while the females are always a duller red on the breast.

Another nice crisp shot by Jeewa of the downy woodpecker, and a good view of the tail which is used to prop it against the tree trunk while it hammers away.