Sunday, April 5, 2009

Spring


In the midst of cold rainy days, we had a brief respite, another warm sunny day. Hard to believe we're supposed to get snow and rain over the next couple of days.
On the way out to the cottage today, I checked a spot along the road where I always see my first Dutchman's Breeches. I wasn't disappointed, there in the rocks were leaves, and even a few blossoms coming out. Out by the cottage, in the sunny places on the rocks, the first leaves were just appearing.
There is a sunny hillside up from the lake where hepaticas grow, there were several coming out in bloom.
My favourite roadside pond had its usual show of turtles out on the logs.
One turtle closer to the road was reluctant to leave its warm perch. There were 3 other turtles basking alongside this one that plopped into the water when we pulled up, but this guy held his ground, posing and showing off pretty spring colours.
"Our" loon is back, I can't recall having seen one return to the lake so early. Many mourning cloak butterflies and a few tortoiseshells were out and about.
The ponds are screaming with spring peepers and chorus frogs, thought I heard a few woodfrog quacks in between, but can't be totally sure due to the cacaphony of sound.
At Glenburnie I'm finally hearing the woodcock peenting.