With a backdrop of woodland and blue sky, a patch of red osier stands amid the remnants of last year's cattails.
Also called dogwood and red willow, osier is attractive to a variety of wildlife including this redwing blackbird, another spring harbinger.
Framed by osier, a swamp maple is reflected on the surface of a placid backwater. While the sight and sound of the redwing blackbird was obvious, unseen were the spring peepers whose mating call permeated the air.
A mother goose stealthfully protects her clutch of eggs....
...while a great blue heron stalks the edge of a shallow marsh.
It's early evening on Oak Orchard Creek and soon the diurnal creatures will begin their retreat.
As day rapidly fades into night, only the spring peepers will remain vocal, joining the nocturnal chorus of the late night denizens.
These are things my husband
These are things my husband and I see frequently when out hiking, biking, canoeing, geocaching, camping, etc., but you capture them so perfectly, it is like I am out there right now... eventhough, I am stuck inside at a desk. :(
Thank you for getting me outside 24 hours a day!!
Jim: These are some
Jim: These are some incredible photos.
Michael and Elizabeth, thank
Michael and Elizabeth, thank you for your comments. Its a good time of the year to be outdoors and the recent weather has provided optimum conditions for great photo ops, particularly early morning and evening.
I don't need to tell you Jim,
I don't need to tell you Jim, but be careful of mother Goose. She can get quite ornery around this time of year. I'd rather take on a bear then a goose and her young" Great pictures.
Thanks, Ange - I don't think
Thanks, Ange - I don't think I will ever forget the "boxing matches" the late Mario Grazioplena had with a pair of Canada geese he adopted. All he had to do was walk into his backyard and they would come at him with wings flailing.
Great hearing from you!