A signing  Red-winged Blackbird is a sure sign of Spring.

Turkey Vulture have arrive.  Over the past 3 days have also seen our first: Killdeer, Bluebird, E. Meadowlark, Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, and several flocks of highflying Blue/Snow Geese.

Mississippi backwaters are rising, but the migration north is gaining steam.

Sandhill Cranes, Mississippi backwaters.

Great Blue Heron, a sure sign of spring.

Dunning Spring-Decorah, Iowa.

Part of the local deer herd outside of the house today.

A farmer plowed trial along Beaver Creek in the Whitewater Valley north of Elba, Mn.

Beaver Creek.

A spring about 10 feet above Beaver Creek.

Common Merganser floating down the Whitewater River not far from where Bobbie and I first saw this species almost 50 years ago.  A sure sigh of spring!!

Light phase Rough-Legged Hawk in the Whitewater Valley.  Saw 5 on Friday.

A Red-bellied and two Downy woodpeckers frozen in fear at our feeders-A Cooper's Hawk has been hunting birds at our feeders.  They were there for about 4 minutes and then all was well for them.

Today's picnic in Forestville is cancelled.  -15 with bitter winds and a dash of snow.