February 12th.  A cloudy dawn.

 

 

 

 

 

Untited Distillers Chimney.

 

 

 

February 14th.  Fifty-two degrees at 2:00 P.M.  The usual Winter Stoneflies atop the snow, plus this Ant (Family Formicidae).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 19th.  The first Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is back!

 

I was surprised to hear it, assuming with our severe winter and blanket of snow that the birds' return would be delayed - but this is within days of their return in the past couple of years.

 

February 24th.  A half dozen Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were calling today.

 

 

 

February 25th. An afternoon break in heavy rain allowed a visit to Grayville Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 28th.  A brief afternoon walk in a break between rain storms.  Two Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaciensis) perched above the marsh.

 

As I approached, one flew off.

 

 

 

 

 

Some grooming...

 

...then the second one flew off.

 

I also saw two male Mallards in flight, the first I've seen at the marsh in months.