27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
As Claudia and I were cleaning out the bird boxes, five tree swallows appeared swooping over us and calling. A couple landed on a snag nearby and watched as if to say "hurry up!".
27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
We'd just finished with this box when a tree swallow landed on it as if claiming it.
27-APR-2018
Tree swallow
Swallow numbers have declined across eastern North America in the last few decades, and while some areas are reporting the same number of nesting swallows, others are seeing far fewer. We're hoping that we get some more swallows nesting this year than in the last few/
27-APR-2018
Black-capped chickadees
This chain link fence around the Pond was being used by this chickadee to ...? Play? It was weaving back and forth through the links, up and down, left and right.
27-APR-2018
Red trillium (Trillium erectum)
Just starting to pop up in the old woods area. With the predicted warmth and sun of next week, they should soon start flowering.
27-APR-2018
Northern flicker
Drumming away on the tin roof of the shed, this flicker seemed to be having a grand time making a lot of tinny noise.
27-APR-2018
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
One of the first spring native wildflowers to appear. These short-lived flowers are a happy sight after a long winter. The leaves, at present furled around the stem, will continue growing and last long after the flowers have vanished. The flowers attract a wide variety of insects including bees and butterflies. An interesting factoid: the seeds are distributed by ants.
27-APR-2018
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Another view of the bloodroot flowers.
27-APR-2018
Honey bee on willow
Willows attract numerous insects, particularly when the weather is warm and sunny. The honey bees were the most numerous today.
27-APR-2018
Red-winged blackbird, female
The female red-winged blackbirds are back and the pairs will be nesting soon.
27-APR-2018
Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis)
A cultivated garden flower that attracts many bees in early spring when little else is available for pollinators. This plant will be in flower when there is still some snow on the ground.
27-APR-2018
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
Insects are making an appearance, slowly, including this native wasp.
