A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL... SPRING.

I love winter, but the last few weeks have tested the spirit of true northern Minnesotans.  A fierce ice storm and an April Fools Day blizzard capped off a "hundred inch" total snowfall. Enough is enough I say... and the melt is on.    

Spring is officially here when a few things in the Arrowhead fall into place.  First on my list is the beginning of the bird migration and second is the appearance of the hibernating butterflies. The third is the advent of the first spring flower.  

Last Sunday the first sparrow arrived on time.  A beautiful Fox Sparrow flew into our yard and promptly started his two footed scratching on the forest floor.  The Song Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows followed close behind, along with the Purple Finch.  The hibernating Compton's Tortoiseshell and Mourning Cloak butterflies appeared within days of each other, brightening up the drab spring landscape.  It is hard to believe they endure the below zero temperatures, holed up in logs and such.

In the Grand Marais harbor, flocks of ducks and Canada Geese were whistling in each day. Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers adorned a half frozen harbor.

I am now awaiting my third criteria for spring; the beautiful, fragile, Canada Violet.  When that happens, I know it truly is spring.

Most of you that read this blog, know that Mary and I have recently been blessed with a grandson.  His name is Will Ogden Brislance and he is a joy in our lives.  Of course I have to post some photos of the handsome addition to our family... 

  

The following photos of Will and the spring migration were taken the past few weeks... a few of thousands.

Until next time....

 

  

                                                                                                                                                    

                                               

                                                                                                          

"If spring came but once a century instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all the hearts to behold the miraculous change."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~