Green and gold

Not sure what has happened to this month!  Finally got out for a walk at Harrison Bay again yesterday....

we are no longer just 'green', we are now 'gold' as well as the Dandelions are in full bloom.

Dandelions are such an important plant...flowers supply nectar and pollen for bees and other insects, the greens feed many creatures, including people and the seeds are an early food source for many birds.

those rich green fields are being enjoyed by many birds, including the Canada Geese....at least the ones that aren't sitting on nests....

like this one, hunkered right down in there....

and this one.  She's been there for a while, they must be close to hatching.

Geese are not the only ones making use of the pilings....

there are at least 2 pairs of Osprey busy nest building out there.  You can see from the water it was pretty windy out there yesterday.

back along the dike, saw a number of American Robins....

also two different robin egg shell remnants....so obviously the first hatch of the season has happened.

hearing and seeing more and more White Crowned Sparrows like this one, and speaking of 'hearing', heard a Common Yellowthroat, seems a little bit early for them yet.

the Red-wing Blackbirds must all be sitting on nests now as the males are busy defending territories.

Saw a Starling carrying food, so obviously baby starling are now hatching as well.

It isn't a great photo, but proof that finally some American Goldfinch have been spotted.

back up at the estuary....

the water continues to gradually creep over the grasslands.