April 14th. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) just east of Grayville Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The single distinctive leaves on these two plants are already opening. Usually they come along after the flowers are done.

 

Periwinkle or Myrtle (Vinca minor).

 

April 15th. Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera).

 

I photographed it on April 14th last year. Pretty consistent.

 

Same caption as last year still applies: "This is about the full extent of the "tree"; just a few branches with no trunk bigger than an inch or so."

 

A male Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata).

 

 

 

 

 

A female Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) - or a male still in winter plumage.

 

Just a hint of the yellow rump visible in this photo. Far more obvious in flight.

 

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

 

A male Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) atop a wood duck house.

 

A second male takes a peek inside before being driven off.

 

April 17th. Same scenario as yesterday (above), but slightly better pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

The usual male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) in sun...

 

 

 

...and in partial shade.

 

 

 

Sweet White Violets (Viola blanda) have just started to bloom. Still wet with overnight's freezing rain.

 

April 18th. Mourning Dove (Zanaida macroura).

 

 

 

Trout-lilies (Erythronium americanum) ready to bloom. Note the frost crystals. It was 26 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris) blooming, but also covered with frost.

 

 

 

 

 

Elsewhere, and later in the day, Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) was in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

See the Midge (Family Chironomidae) perched on the back of the flower? I didn't until I edited the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Ferns in a rock cut.

 

 

 

 

 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)...

 

...with a small metallic green Halictid "Sweat Bee" (Family Halictidae; perhaps Augochloropsis sp.) dotted with pollen.