Skunk Cabbage, blooming in a mud seep/spring in Forestville State Park.  This one blooms even earlier than the Hepatica.

Hepatica.  One of the very first of the Woodland Wildflowers to bloom.  Found several blooming on south facing protected slopes today.

Scarlet Cap fungi-found several in Forestville today.

Mallard.  The Mallards are tough, we have seen them all winter long in the Whitewater area and they have been in Fillmore County since the first March melt.

Sunset March 29, 2020.

Red-bellied Woodpecker, male.  The red on the head has become more brilliant as the breeding season approaches,  The female looks very similar but has gray on the top of the head.

Chipmunk-first one we have seen this year.

Hooded Mergansers, male & female.

We see or hear Killdeer every day now as we walk our driveway.

Good to hear the cackle of the Grackle again.

Eastern Meadowlark.  We have seen a few Meadowlarks in the last week.

Sandhill Crane.  Found 5 Sandhills at the Iron Mine ponds south of Spring Valley on the 20th of March.  This photo is from a few years ago on about the same date.

Bluebird.  The Bluebirds are up, saw 15 near the Iron Mine pond south of Spring Valley today.

Redwings think that Spring is here-hope they are right.

Junco.  Our Junco's are still with us.  They are singing their bubbly mating songs now and will soon head north to nest.

Fox Sparrows are up in small numbers-many more to come. They like weeds, especially Giant Ragweed seeds.

The Chickadees are singing their high two note spring song everyday now.

Pelicans.  We were somewhat surprised to see them up this early.

About 2/3 of the Eagle Nests we saw Sunday appeared to have egg sitting eagles in them.

The Trumpeter Swans were making their trumpet call on Sunday. Also heard the wild call of Sandhill Cranes.

Large flock of singing Robins south of Spring Valley.  5 Bluebirds, 1 flock of Snow/Blue geese and a huge flock of lesser(Cackling) Canada Geese.

Opossum.  Warm weather always brings them out for lunch.

Bald Eagle, also saw 12 Robins and one Killdeer on Sunday.  Spring is not here yet but there are signs.