Things are popping around here. We've had two weeks of temps in the upper 60s and lower 70s, which is more like May than March. And those were preceded by weather that was, if not quite so warm, still above the seasonal average. So things are blooming early, there are more birds out singing, and critters not usually seen for another month are out and about.
I was wandering in the Dykeman Wetlands Park this morning, and the air was loud with birdsong - Cardinals, Robins, Carolina Wrens, Song Sparrows, those Eastern Phoebes again, a couple of Tufted Titmice, a Flicker, and a couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers. And this week something new - my first American Goldfinches of the season; I heard that trademark wheezy, finchy chirping and looked around to see two males (still in Winter plumage, though). Lots of work with the binoculars today, but they were too far away for the camera. As for getting a sound recording of all the music... Well, let's just say that that's really not working out. Sorry!
Anyhow, here are some shots from the day - the greening of the woods, Daffodils along the Nature Trail, and a Painted Turtle sunning on one of the Muskrat lodges in the swamp. Enjoy!
I was wandering in the Dykeman Wetlands Park this morning, and the air was loud with birdsong - Cardinals, Robins, Carolina Wrens, Song Sparrows, those Eastern Phoebes again, a couple of Tufted Titmice, a Flicker, and a couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers. And this week something new - my first American Goldfinches of the season; I heard that trademark wheezy, finchy chirping and looked around to see two males (still in Winter plumage, though). Lots of work with the binoculars today, but they were too far away for the camera. As for getting a sound recording of all the music... Well, let's just say that that's really not working out. Sorry!
Anyhow, here are some shots from the day - the greening of the woods, Daffodils along the Nature Trail, and a Painted Turtle sunning on one of the Muskrat lodges in the swamp. Enjoy!
[Note to John Hayes - Sorry, John! Opera lost out to the call of Nature. And then tomorrow is the Vernal Equinox, and Wednesday is Bach's birthday. But someday soon I'll do a post on my favorite opera arias.]
© 2012 by A. Roy Hilbinger
© 2012 by A. Roy Hilbinger
...these are gorgeous, Roy! ...and wow! What a great shot of the beautiful turtle. I haven't seen one out yet.
ReplyDeleteI for one am glad that the call of nature won out, there are some really wonderful photographs there - full of life and movement even within the context of still landscapes. A true joy to behold. And it was such a fine day all you needed was a butterfly Mr Puccinni.
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Roy! I agree with Alan--great photos. Love the one of the turtle especially. & apologies for having been so long in getting here--have been out of the blog loop for a bit!
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