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Spring is Here?
February 26th, 2009 | 
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I know that it is still February…but it is sure starting to look and feel like spring around here!
I took a walk yesterday afternoon, because it was so beautiful outside that I couldn’t stand another minute indoors. The American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were out in droves. I sat under a tree, watching them run around on the ground, only to have them twice be scattered by a raptor of some kind, swooping through the trees. After the second spook, the robins retreated to the only tree with leaves, and I moved on. 
The weather was warm and breezy yesterday, and the air was alive with the cheerful calls of many birds. I even heard the hard-to-describe call of a tree frog!
I was so enthralled with the sights and sounds of spring, that I took a picture of an ant (I think) that was crawling on my arm, before dislodging him 
~
I looked up and saw that the Elm trees are starting to bloom…
…and the squirrels are enjoying this spring treat:
~
As I made my way toward the creek, in hopes of spotting the tree frog, I instead came across this happy couple:
Mallards are so common that it is easy to forget how beautiful they are.
As I trudged back to my car, I couldn’t help smiling at the simple pleasure of a walk in the park on a pretty day. If you haven’t tried it lately, I highly recommend it!
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Spring is on its way! Here in South Florida I’ve noticed the mockingbirds singing their little hearts out. The mockingbirds are nesting, too. I think the spring migration’s about to begin.
I like your robin image.
Lovely post with beautiful images. Especially love the robin.
Karen-yes! the mockingbirds! They are zipping around everywhere.
Vickie-thanks
Ah spring! My favorite season of the year. Beautiful weather, birds beginning to mate and nest and the sun moving to the northern sky.
Lovely capture of the American Robin Amber, but my favorite would have to be the Mallards. I have really begun to appreciate waterfowl recently more than ever. They are so beautifully colored. Even the most common Mallard is beautiful beyond belief.
Warning: This Comment is Rated PG-13 for Language. That creature strolling across your forearm, is a Pharaoh Ant. According to the field guide I checked, they’re also referred to as Sugar Ants and–no kidding–Piss Ants.