First calls of the Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs heard in Stacy, MN

Prairie Smoke just about ready to plume

Mohican Viburnum and Columbine also in bloom this week.  Red Winged Blackbirds extremely active.

Suspected Bullsnake Spotted in Carlos Avery

Also spotted:

• Canadian Geese
• Sandhill Cranes
• Mallard Ducks

Found four tiny monarch caterpillars on a single Swamp Milkweed blossom

Morning Cloak Butterfly spotted

Sandhill Cranes heard over Carlos Avery N of Wyoming, MN

Robin Eggs

First Oriole of the Year Spotted

Frogs strident lately, though I believe that with the drop in temperatures (only 49.5 at the moment) and the gusty winds we're having they will be quiet this evening.

Call of the Sandhills

First calls of the Sandhill Cranes heard calling over Carlos Avery.

Red-Winged Blackbirds Spotted

Swans spotted along the Rum River in Mille Lacs.

Ravens

Hearing more and more ravens north of the cities.  Saw one perched by the concrete plant by Stacy, MN.

Oriole Spotted

Appears to be gathering bits of dried milkweed plant to make a nest in our backyard.

Sandhill Cranes Spotted in Carlos Avery

Sandhill Cranes

The Sunrise River Prairie Smoke growing in native garden.

Saw swallows, Wood Ducks, geese, Mallards, Grebes, and a Great Blue Heron in Carlos Avery this morning.

Trumpeter Swans

Spotted a pair near Stacy, MN that seemed to be travelling in a flock of Canadian Geese. Sandhill Cranes extremely vocal. While the morning was cloudy and in the 40's, temps seem to be picking up as the sun comes out. Cleaned out the bluebird houses, anticipate they'll be arriving early just as everything else is this year.

Wood Ducks scoping out potential nests in Circle Pines, MN. Cooler. Fewer chorus frogs, but Spring Peepers still heard sporadically.

A photo of what I believe to be a flock of coots in Carlos Avery. Unusually (and I emphasize the un part of usually) warm. Temps in the 60's.

Heard the first spring peepers and sandhill cranes yesterday. Peepers strident this evening as the first storm hits. Unusually warm&humid.

Maple flowers.
Like Medusa, except with a birdhouse.

Saw three flocks of geese on the way to work, and a large number mulling about on Lamprey Lake off 35.