Spring is finally here

     February and March brought several big snowstorms. I certainly had my exercise shoveling snow !  We enjoyed birds at the feeders, altho some mornings there seemed to be few birds. 
     4 species of woodpeckers have visited the suet offerings. A few Chickadees, House Finches, Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Cardinals, and the Carolina Wrens. A Pileated Woodpecker female came to eat suet everyday for a few weeks  She may be nesting in the area.
      This week has been truly Spring-like.  The Belted Kingfisher has returned, a Great Blue Heron was fishing at the edge of the river,  and I found American Tree Sparrows at the end of the road.  American Goldfinch males are bright yellow, and this morning a Chipping Sparrow came to the feeders.  Hooray for Spring !     Photo below is a Red-bellied Woodpecker.
     This Spring has had a somber note as well.  In mid-March Mom passed away.  It was a bit unexpected as she had been at her baseline in the nursing home. We have organized a Celebration of Life event to be held next week.  She will be missed by her family and community.