The Hepatica are also just starting to bloom in Forestville.  Notice that both the Hepatica and the Pasque Flower are fuzzy, an adaption that retains heat overnight.

 Hiked up Barn Bluff in Redwing today.  Over 250 stair steps and 300+ feet upward to get photos of the 3 inch tall Pasque flower in bloom.  Found a few, as their run is just starting.  Well worth the effort.

 

Otter Missisipi backwaters.

 Saw a few Sandhill Cranes yesterday.

 8-11 inches snow and driveway is shut down.  Fox Sparrow, Tree Sparrow and female Purple Finch below our feeders.

 

 The snow has brought Robins, Grackles, Red Wings, Purple Finches, Gold Finches, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Juncos, 3 species of Woodpeckers, and others to our feeders today.  Looks to be a big snow-BUT-this same week in 2005 we had 26 inches of snow over a 3 day snowstorm.  The biggest snow we have seen in a lifetime.

 

 Early migrant birds this last week:  Killdeer, Bluebirds, High flying flocks of Canada Geese and White-fronted Geese, and of course good numbers of Robins.  Most of the Junco's have headed father north, but we still have quite a few Purple finches at our feeders.

 Killdeer.

 

 As one drives down the rural roads this time of year flocks of fairly small birds fly from the road edge into the open fields.  These are likely Horned Larks(pictured here).  Some do nest in SE Minnesota.