Spring is in the air!

White-breasted Nuthatch

Although astronomically Spring is still a couple of weeks away, its clear the birds are tuning up their songs and arriving in droves. I spent some time today at Chain O Lakes State Park near the park headquarters, which has a very large feeder full of mostly black-oil sunflower seed. It was — to say the least — a popular place today!

Full list (in memory order):
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
Black-capped Chickadee
American Tree Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Hermit Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Red-tailed Hawk
American Crow
American Robin
Horned Lark
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch

I went to Chain O Lakes in particular because at this time in 2005 I had taken pictures of some early Sandhill Crane arrivals and I was hoping to see them again. There's probably a little too much snow for them this year, although I'm sure they will be here soon (actually I'm sure I heard some flying overhead but I couldn't see them).

I have found my photography provides me with a visual history of what I've seen and when — including the environment at the time (e.g. cloud cover, snow conditions, foliage progression). It will never be as complete as recording every trip's sightings but it provides some good insight into what to expect this year.

The Red-tailed Hawk below was one of a pair I saw today. This one was hunting over the main road through the park as I was on my way out and gave me excellent views against the fantastically blue sky — a nice way to end the day's birding!

Red-tailed Hawk