Melissa's Amusings: Spring!!

Yesterday I had planned on working on my Germany blogs. However, it was such a beautiful day I couldn't resist being outside and decided to spend a few hours at Carpenter Park. Before I was even out of my car, I saw a Pileated woodpecker!! Since this was the first time I saw one at this location, I was pretty excited. Throughout my nature walk, I would off and on see a good view of it (with binoculars) as it skittishly moved around. Since the leaves are just starting to come out...

it is fairly easy to see birds flit through the woods...

undergrowth is starting to emerge

people are also easy to see.

So once I saw a bird I would stay very still; and one time got very lucky....

as this Palm Warbler came close enough for me to get a decent picture of it.

I enjoyed seeing quite a few migrating warblers (Yellow-rumped, Golden Winged, Black and White, Northern Parula, and Black Poll) along with the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher and Indigo Bunting.

most of the birds I saw were from a distance, but this Indigo really does "stand out"

When I wasn't birdwatching, I was captivated by the new leaves coming out. Lit so nicely by the sun and.......

sooo soft

and fuzzy :-)

The spring flowers were eye-catching :-)

Blue Phlox

Violet Wood Sorrel

I don't know this flower, but it is pretty :-).....

At first I thought it was a Spiderwort...

but, they have 3 petals, not four.

Dwarf Larkspur

Dwarf Larkspurs are even pretty before they bloom!

Purple Trillium

Mayapple

For many of the flower pictures, I am up close and personal with the ground. Where I then notice even more!
Such as:
The Squirrel Corn(or Dutchman's britches-I can't tell the two apart) has already bloomed...