Signs of Spring

It's always a sad time for me when the migratory ducks take leave of my little corner of the Fox River. The ever-entertaining Bufflehead, Golden-Eye, Ring Necks and Mergansers have moved on, and now only a couple pair of Wood Ducks are nesting in the area. They're not nearly as much fun to watch, so it's off on field trips to see who else the warm winds are blowing in.

I was happily surprised to see that the first bluebird house I came upon yesterday in Pleasant Valley Preserve was actually inhabited by blue birds! Swallows were competing for space, but the bluebirds were vigilant in claiming their territory with nesting materials.

Despite the fact that the new neighbor cleared several bordering trees, my "usual" backyard birds are courting again...Flickers, Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Chickadees, Downeys...sights and sounds of spring.