Ground Hog Day

 February 2nd, not only Ground Hog Day but also world Wet lands day.  We don't have any ground hogs around here, but we do have wetlands....

and this morning, they were still a little 'white' from the snow we had a couple of days ago.

the Red-wing Blackbirds calling though, predicted an early spring - at least it sure sounded that way.

over at Harrison Bay....the beach didn't look very spring like.....

but look the other way and the fields are greening up and full of very restless Canada and Cackling Geese

a Northern Flicker was down foraging on the ground...

as were European Starlings....but the real 'sign of spring'

were the American Robins!  Mind you it has been a strange year for robins.  Normally we don't expect to see them until towards the end of February but this past winter, they haven't really left, in fact the Christmas Bird Count for the area counted a record setting 575!  It will be interesting to see if we get another influx of them at the usual time, or if this is it.  

Woodpeckers have been quite active as well, especially the little Downy Woodpeckers.

while yesterday it was a Pileated that was busy working at the top of one of the broken off trees.

One thing for sure, spring will come....we just have to wait and see how quickly!