Spring? Dare we hope.....

Well, it certainly doesn't look or feel like spring around here. 80% of my yard is still covered in snow....anywhere from 1 to 3 feet still in some places! Until today, the weather has also been far from spring-like!

Within the last week, however, everything else around here seems to feel spring has sprung! The birds are actually singing! Not just making noise as they have all winter long...actually belting out their beautiful songs. And within the last 2 days, those that were absent have returned!

There were 2 great blue herons perched on top of the pine trees yesterday, squawking back and forth to each other. I naturally ran in to get my camera to get the perfect picture of one perched on top of the tree....and came out just in time to catch a large dark shape flying off through the branches .

 A couple minutes later, another familiar sound! A couple of turkeys gobbling at each other. Both were boys, and this morning they were up and at it bright and early, setting Boomer into a fit of barking. No sign of TeeGee yet, but I'm hoping if she survived the winter, that this is a sure sign she will be here soon!

Today, it was finally warm, and the birds were so busy and vocal that I decided to sit out front with my camera to listen and watch for more arrivals. I was watching some ravens fly around when I was thrilled to notice something else through the lens!

 I saw the red and realized that was no raven! In all my years on this property, I have never seen a pileated woodpecker here, and suddenly there it was! It hung out on the tree for a minute and then just as quickly it flew off into the trees. But not before I got him!! Luckily, I was already pointing and shooting the ravens right there or I never would have had time to zoom in on it! Right time, right place!

 I was so thrilled about seeing the pileated, I decided it was time to poke around and see what else there was to see. I was not disappointed. It hasn't been the same without Hissy ringing in the spring season around here. I miss him! But I went out back and had this lovely pair show up instead. Perhaps a new tradition has begun.....

 While enjoying the company of my new friends, another pair decided to swing by and check things out. I was a little surprised! There are usually a few swans that hang out here, but none have ever come in close. These 2 beauties were curious, and to my surprise, did not chase of the geese. They just watched for a few minutes then slowly swam off again.

 All the woodies have been arriving within the past week too. Mostly the boys I'm seeing right now, but it won't be long before everyone is back.

 Then another couple of surprises! I've never seen these guys out there before either. I'm not sure if it's because they are usually far out and skittish so I don't see them, or if it's because they aren't usually hanging out on this pond. I think a lot may be using this pond as a layover until their usual larger ponds are suitable to return to. Like the swans, they usually start out here but eventually move over to Long Pond, just across the road from here.

There was this cute little ring-necked duck....

 ....and this common merganser! Pretty cool, I rarely get to see more than the mallards and woodies out there.

 While zooming in on the little ring-neck, this fur ball decided to swim on by. Cute little muskrat! I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the beavers, but no such luck.

 Last but not least, one very familiar and very fat butt! Perfectly perched wayyyyyy up one of the big pine trees.....one of two trees I commonly find someone sleeping in when the weather is nice.

So....I guess if I listen to the animals, I have to believe spring is here, but it sure doesn't feel like it!