Giant Step Toward Spring 2013

Today we finally took a giant step into Spring.  It has been a long time coming and I hope we have turned the corner.  Today I noticed many signs that spring may be on its way.  We raked out the flower beds and saw many of the perennials are coming up.

Irises

They have a long way to go but it was nice to see that they lived through the long long winter.

Toad Lilly

Poppies

 I put up the hummingbird feeders.  I noticed that the hummers were in northern Illinois and usually arrive here around the 1st of May.  I keep track of their arrival time from the migration map. 

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/humm_ruby_spring2013.html  

Hummingbird at the feeder in 2012

The bluebirds are also back although they haven't started nesting yet.  They spend time looking over the bluebird houses everyday.  Soon they will begin making their nest.  We are always happy to see them return.

Male Bluebird

Pair of Bluebirds

I saw a muskrat swimming around in the water today.  Then I saw this duck in the tree.  I think it was a female wood duck.  She looks like she is ready to lay some eggs.  Hopefully she makes it to the duck house.  She looks a little stressed.

 Best of all we had a loon out on the water who has been here all day.  We don't often see loons, so that is a big thrill. 

Loon