First

The catkins of the birch are the first to make a late spring appearance this year, edging out the maples who are following closely behind, these generally the first two trees to flower. And yes, some are surprised to find that all trees "flower" though not in the more commonly interpreted and traditional sense of the word. With the very late spring, one gets a distinct sense of a great energy just waiting to explode in both flora and fauna. While the lake is very slow to thaw, the snow is gone, and everything is rejoicing with the warmth of the sun.

 

The wetlands have opened up and the remarkable sandhill cranes have returned...based on their calling, in greater numbers than ever. I first actually saw them last year and have been looking again the last few days unsuccessfully. But their calls are unmistakable, remarkably and startlingly loud, and echo across the lake often during the course of the day. Here's a sample, tho there is no way this adequately conveys the actual volume... www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/sounds

So along with the myriad of loon calls which can be heard throughout the night, the area is blessed with some of the more dramatic avian vocalizations to be heard in addition to the trilling of the songbirds.

Done