April 2010

Ice jams often form on the Red River in Spring causing sudden rises in the water levels.  Below are some photos of an ice jam on the river and beautiful ice formations on some posts after the water receded.

Enjoy!

Sharon

The woodpecker above  and below is a Downy Woodpecker. It is really difficult for me to distinguish between the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.  Fortunately, on this January day both were feeding in the same area which made it much easier.  The Hairy Woodpecker is the larger of the two and definitely more skittish than the Downy.  These birds have evolved in such a way that their brains are tightly packed inside their protective cranium which cushions the repeated hammering on trees.  They prop themselves with their tails and have long tongues which they use to get insects out of the small spaces in trees.  If you look at my post on Northern Flickers ( a member of the woodpecker family)  you can see an example of how a bird uses its tongue in search of insects.   The woodpeckers are pretty birds and interesting to watch.

Woodpeckers remain with us through the seasons and will often taken advantage of seed and suet feeders.

Below:  Hairy Woodpecker

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Above:  Kildeer at Oak Hammock Marsh

Spring seems to be arriving early this year just like our little groundhog predicted it would.  With spring will be the arrival of our wonderful variety of birds.   The geese have already arrived and the Bald Eagles are once again soaring high in our skies.  Today’s blog features birds commonly found around our marshes and lakes.

Below:  Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper & Common Snipe.  These photos were taken at Oak Hammock Marsh, Hecla Island and Twin Beaches

Enjoy

~Sharon