Happy Spring!

Happy belated vernal equinox. I read that it occurred sometime last evening, depending on your time zone. Anyway, I’ve got some pictures left over from the weekend that “didn’t fit the narrative,” so I thought I’d use them to help celebrate this special occasion.

First up, here’s a handsome tufted duck drake from Saturday, when the sun was out.

And here’s a common shelduck, from Sunday, when the clouds were thick and threatening drizzle. He’s probably a male, by the looks of his “particularly crisp” coloring, “bright red” bill, and “prominent knob at the forehead.”

Here’s a northern lapwing, and his “long crest and a black crown, throat and breast contrasting with an otherwise white face” all suggest that he is also a male. They are making an incredible sound lately, which I didn’t hear last summer, that sounds for all the world like a kid playing with an electronic toy.

Here’s another ring-necked pheasant cock strutting his stuff in the morning sun…

And here’s the bevy of hens he’s trying to impress. Don’t they just look enthralled?

Here’s yet another grey heron picture just because they seem to let me take these portraits if I’m quick about it.

Finally, here’s another look at the singing robin from Saturday, but deep in the shade.

Lastly, here’s another look at the singing bluethroat, also from Sunday. I read that you can also spot these in northern Alaska, in case you ever happen to be there. Keep an eye out.