Woodies return

Couldn't decide if I should post here, or on my other blog, but finally landed here because I haven't posted for awhile. We've had alarmingly warm weather here in Maine, so the ice on the pond melted very fast, the peepers and wood frogs are going crazy, and the turtles are elbowing each other on the log to soak up the sun. This morning, the wood ducks returned. I love them--they look hand-painted. Very skittish, though, so I have to photograph them through the glass door 60 feet away. There were three drakes and two hens. At one point they flushed, and the hen flew up in a tree.

Last year we had a nesting pair, and thirteen ducklings arrived! Might these be returning woodies? I do hope they stick around and nest again!

From SCOOT! published by Greenwillow Books, 2008.

Lady's Slipper update

In just a few days time, the faintly blushing green-tinged blossoms of the lady's slipper that appear in my previous post have deepened to a glorious rosy pink. Check out the bullfrog admiring their beauty.

To see him/her up close, check out my Frog Blog.

Morning Close-ups

Busy day ahead, but sunlight on turtle shells, and an eagerness to see if yesterday's chartreuse lady's slippers were blushing pink today, lured me to the pond this morning. Here are some of the wonders that greeted me.

Red in the rain

A dreary rainy day, but then this handsome cardinal arrived to perch perfectly in the red twig variegated dogwood. Soon a little junco joined him, while his mate foraged for seeds kicked out of the feeder by the red squirrels.

Spring!

I usually post photos from Frog Song Pond over on my other blog site, The Daily Frog, but I can't resist sharing the arrival of the first ducks to cruise around the melting ice this morning. I know Mallards are common, but they still dazzle me. Check out that iridescent green on the drake's head, and the hen's dash of bright orange on her beak. In a world of late winter browns and grays, these colors are quite exciting.

A critter book project has made it to a sweet publisher's finalist list, so I'm holding my breath that I'll be collaging and leaf printing soon.

Update, 3/19: Check the frog blog HERE to see who else appeared today!! Very exciting....