Pair of Canada Geese
After reaching a high temperature of 72 degrees on April 8th, things went downhill remarkably fast. 48 hours later on April 10th, we were experiencing flooding, wet heavy snow, rain, lightning, thunder, sleet, graupel, 50 mph winds, dirt from west Texas, blizzard conditions and the cancellation of a tornado warning drill.
Since the heavy rains and runoff of March 13th and 14th, the level of Wacouta Pond has been abnormally high. The high water has created conditions for a pair of Canada geese to claim their territory near the intersection of Highway 61 and Wacouta Road.
Canada Geese
The plumage is the same for the male and female Canada goose. Can you distinguish between the goose and the gander? Males tend to be about 10% larger.
Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-tailed hawks are large, sharp-taloned birds eating a variety of food from mice, rabbits, birds to snakes. These common hawks are frequently observed in trees and poles adjacent to highways. This bird has been observed hanging around Wacouta Pond.
Pussy Willows
In early spring, the furry catkins of several smaller species of willow become visible. On the first week of April, I found these male catkins before the flowers appear and long before the leaves open up. In Chinese culture, the unbundled stalks are frequently decorated with gold and red ornaments signifying prosperity and happiness.
Scarlet Elf Cup Fungi
While on a morning hike on April 9th, I came across a scarlet elf cup fungi (Sarcoscypha coccina). These fungi grow on decaying sticks in damp areas of the forest floor. In many cases, they are buried under leaf litter making them difficult to observe. I have always associated the appearance of this fungi with the maple tapping season.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
While on my hike, I heard what I thought were a number of downy woodpeckers calling back and forth. Upon further investigation, I discovered a group of at least 8 yellow - bellied sapsuckers flitting from tree to tree taking advantage of the maple sap run.
Hard Maple Holes Pecked by Sapsucker
It was interesting to observe the behavior of these birds as they harvested the sap. The small 1/4 inch deep holes were arranged horizontally and obviously pecked earlier in the season. Each sapsucker would land on their own section of the trunk of the tree and travel from hole to hole feasting on the sap.
As the spring season warms up, insects will be attracted to the sticky sap. These insects will provide additional food for the sapsuckers.
Male House Finch
There is an Old Farmers saying that "Spring will finally arrive after three snows on a robin's tail." Hopefully the snow on April 10th and described in my introduction will satisfy that requirement. The ferocious storm that day drove more species of birds to our feeders than any other day all winter. A list of the 18 species observed that day includes:
robins crows
pine siskins red - winged blackbirds
mourning doves tree sparrows
dark - eyed juncos house sparrows
fox sparrows pileated woodpeckers
downy woodpeckers red - bellied woodpeckers
hairy woodpeckers starlings
purple grackles house finches
brown - headed cowbirds cardinals
Drake and Hen Wood Duck
In the midst of the blizzard, even a pair of wood ducks fought through the our slush covered backyard pond to get at some corn I had thrown out earlier.