I thought it would be a good idea to see if I could find some furry creature and get a prediction about an early or late Spring. WELL, it turns out that the only furry thing I saw was a domestic cat (from a neighboring farm) that wandered into the refuge. It had nothing to say.
I passed portions of the refuge scorched by controlled burning (scheduled by the Park Ranger). Small birds flitted over the darkened area while a Red-tail Hawk hunted from a Pine on the fringes.
After I parked the truck, I walked down to one of my favorite ponds. I knew it was going to be a good day when I saw this (first of season) Song Sparrow.
The pond was replenished after the melting of the recent snow. The title photo turtle was sunning on the half submerged log across the water filled gap. I snuggled under the low branches of a Willow (a spot I’d used before).
There was a good bit of activity so I didn’t wait long before I started filming.
Another first of season bird caught my eye. I watched this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for a while hoping to catch the best angles while it sought places to drill for nutrition.
I described Spring time “Sap Wells” in another diary last fall. This bird will drill several shallow holes in a checker-board pattern when trees are beginning to have sap rise through the truck (to supply the limbs and leaves above). The holes in my photo are about 3 feet off the ground, on the “sunny side” of the tree near the pond’s edge. This site will be visited often for several weeks.
I was ready to leave when another Song Sparrow landed nearby. It hopped down to the water and began bathing. I settled in while it completed it’s hygienic splashing.
47 second video
It was delightful few hours in the 67 degree, partly sunny day. I hope everyone had their hopes raised for an early Spring.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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What tidings have the first days of February brought to your part of the world?