Spring is really late this year. The only precipitation we got in April was in the form of snow except one day where we got a little bit of rain. The night time temperatures were mostly below freezing.
Then finally it turned and the thaw began I could officially say it was Spring when I saw the robins had returned.
Close Up Robin on Spruce Treetop
There were many other birds that had returned and you could feel the urgency in the air for there is such a short amount of time for them to reproduce and get their off spring grown so they can migrate before the cold sets in again.
There was a new bird to our area - the Yellow-rumped Warbler that had a beautiful song. It was very busy in the maple trees checking the spots where holes had been drilled by the sap suckers and the sap was flowing. The sap attracted butterflies too, which I'm happy to say are back flitting around.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Checking Sap on Tree Trunk
Another View of Yellow-rumped Warbler
Up in the air the turkey vultures were circling around and I also saw a hawk - it too was circling around looking for prey.
Turkey Vulture Soaring in the Sky
Swainson’s Hawk in Flight
And there were still geese flying over.
Pair of Canada Geese Flying Over Treetops
Other birds that had been around all winter we often seen now in pairs.
Close Up White Breasted Nuthatch
Bluejay Hiding in Spruce Boughs
Another winged creature was the butterflies usually out in the sunny areas as was the one below who was sunning itself.
Butterfly Sunning Itself on the Dry Grass
We hadn't seen the flush of green in the trees yet but the catkins on the cotton woods were opening.
Walking Bruno By Cottonwood Trees with Open Catkins
The snow had melted off in the pasture so the horses had some fresh green grass to graze on.
Horse Grazing on Fresh Green Grass
We saw a snake trying to warm itself in the sun at the side of the road. It was pretty sluggish like it had just came out from under a snowbank. this allowed me to get real close and all it did was lift it's head.
Garter Snake Sunning Itself on the Gravel
The strangest thing I saw was this large beetle walking across the snow. It seemed like a water beetle for it had kind of flippers as it's back legs.
Large Beetle Walking Across Snow
Another one of those beetles appeared on the deck. I don't know where it came from but it sure looked out of place.
Large Looks Like Water Beetle on Dry Deck
Finally I'll leave you with a picture of JJ who is totally loving being able to have his dirt baths!
JJ Rolling in the Dirt
This is my #WednesdayWalk hosted by @tattoodjay go check out his latest post here. He collaborates with @elizacheng and her #MakeMeSmile initiative see her latest post here
The photos were taken with my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS.
Creating Abundance on Hive
The arrival of spring is a sight fir saw eyes after a long winter
You catch so many shots of birds and bugs on your walk
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :), I truly enjoy exploring the world virtually each Wednesday seeing walks from all around the globe and feeling I am there and experiencing it all myself, such as I did in your post just now :)
Enjoyment is a sand bath, JJ soaking up the warmth in delight! Changing slowly this season will soon be full of fresh life, nice sized beetle.
!LADY
View or trade
LOHtokens.@joanstewart, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @porters and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (1/7 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
Stunning pictures, full of life! Glad to hear that Spring finally arrived out there, I know your Winters last 'long'.
Abraço!
How did you manage to get up close to that garter snake? stunning pictures especially the birds! I've always tried to capture one but they fly quickly, any tips when capturing these feathery friends?
Sorry I never got back to you sooner! The garter snake was very sluggish - must have just come out from a cool place (we still have freezing temperatures at night here) He hadn't got enough warmth yet to get really mobile so I could walk up real close and all it did was lift it's head.
As for taking photos of the birds I have a good zoom lense on my camera plus if I want to catch them in flight I pick something close by to focus on and track them to catch them in motion. Hope that helps!
Your content has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
Use Ecency daily to boost your growth on platform!
Support Ecency
Vote for new Proposal
Delegate HP and earn more
The bluejay was my favorite. That JJ! LOL
So many different types of birds. I don't think I will be able to see all these birds here. And the snake 🐍, how close are you???
and I think JJ is really enjoying himself there.
!beer