Buds on Maples

First chorus frogs heard this week.

Sandhill Cranes heard over Carlos Avery N of Wyoming, MN

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.

Loons spotted in Nisswa.  Chorus frogs strident, and some Wood Frogs heard as well this evening in Stacy. Hairy woodpeckers very active and visiting feeder.

Chorus Frogs

Call of the chorus frog, like a thumb slowly strumming the teeth of a plastic comb, heard on the swamps.

Prairie Ninebark in the front yard

The local bees and butterflies seem to love it.

Sandhill Crane Track in Carlos Avery

Dry Spell on the Sunrise River's Pretty Well Over

Prairie Smoke Exploding into Bloom out front.

Monarchs Spotted

Numerous monarchs spotted on Sunshine Trail. Tent Caterpillars seem to be out in force as well. Wonder how much of this is due to the warm spring and the recent wet weather. Ravens heard (but not yet seen) lately around Linwood Township. Unusual as they generally stick north.

Oriole Spotted

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

Black Cherry Tree in Bloom

Tiger Swallowtail seen feeding on some nectar-rich serviceberry blossoms down the road.

Wildllife on Pelican Lake

Making a Stopper Knot
Overhauled the running rigging and launched the Springtide. Had the lake almost to ourselves this weekend, save for seagulls, great blue and green herons, and a noisy band of terns. Wind so light on Saturday it took us two hours to run as many miles.

Baby Geese in Carlos Avery

Canadian geese spotted with their young in Carlos Avery.

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.

Mohican Viburnum starting to bloom

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.

Found a beautiful section of the Sunrise trail off a small dirt road near Stacy.

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