Saturday, March 7, 2009

Signs of Spring















Sand Hill Crane Photos Courtesy of Nikki


This week and the next is when so many of the migratory birds return to the area. Yesterday we were outside and only heard winter birdsong. This morning there were two to three dozen robins in our yard. Robins are considered the first sign of spring if you live in the upper Midwest in the United States. The sand hill cranes are back too. I saw a pair in the wetlands when I traveled to town this morning for my shift at the art gallery.





I was able to capture a few pictures of the pileated woodpecker living in our woods. Sorry they are a bit out of focus. My zoom lens was fully extended to catch these shots. This is only the third time I have seen one close to the house. I often hear and see them near the woodlands. They have a very distinct awkward and flight pattern which makes them easy to spot once you know what to look for. This species of bird lives in nests made in hollowed out trees. Their habitat is shrinking in many places due to man's encroachment.


We have had a warm week and the snow has almost melted. Mud season has started (or early spring for those of you that live in areas full of pavement). The dog has had his first bath of the season.


Wishing you many warm days ahead.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. I like your blog!! you are very talented!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love the cranes
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Wow - wonderful pictures. I think you did extremely well with the woodpeckers - I've not gotten any that clear yet. We see them ocassionally near our yard - mostly hear them. Someday we are going to where the cranes migrate - someday.

Lynn Cohen said...

Wonderful colorful wild life in your domain...how nice to live so close to this. Lucky you. ;-)
And what art was showing at the art gallery?

Greenmare said...

mud season here too. but not for long I guess, the weather guy just said snow snow snow for us tomorrow.
sigh. it's starting to get old.

ArtPropelled said...

So interesting to see your birds. We have a Blue Crane here which is similar but the palest blue grey colour. The woodpecker is a beauty isn't he? The most vivid red crest against the snow background.

Jackie's Stitches said...

The wildlife is so beautiful! Happy Spring!

annette emms said...

Great pictures Chris, the birds seem very exotic to me!
I know what you mean about the mud though. . . .x

Susan Elliott said...

We have pileated woodpeckers here and I just love those guys with their crazy calls...Those sand cranes are BEAUTIFUL!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Chris, You can actually drive along and see Sand Hill Cranes just strolling in the fields!!!.. what a place you live in... Wow!!

and Pileated woodpeckers.. my favourites... they are so elusive.. so lucky of you to have got such good shots ...
I enjoyed them!!!

bindu said...

The woodpeckers are so precious! Beautiful cranes too. Lovely area you live in.