Sun again

After 3 days and 3 inches of rain the sun came out.

And the clean up continues.

But the Loop Trail is not passable for me.

To avoid the branches you get your feet wet.

Big Oak Walk

The thing you are most likely to see is the damage that has been done, to the trees, the walkway, 

and to the dog park.

Even this bench is under branches.

We can see another of the white ash trees.  If you did not get to the last presentation, there will be another in April.  Come to hear about what is happening to the ash trees.  It is not good.

The Cherry Allee plantings have been pruned and mulched.  Won't they be wonderful to see when Spring finally gets here.

I saw this feather, but others have been seeing birds, the first birds of Spring.

The snowdrops look great.  I would like to have some for my side bed.

And there is even some snow left, but not much.

Sand Hill Cranes

If you have ever been to Nebraska to see the Sand Hill Cranes on the Platte River, you will want to watch tomorrow morning from 8:30 to 8:50 to watch and listen to the cranes as they take off.  The video is very bad, as the morning light is dim, but it is worth it.
Audubon - Rowe Sanctuary - Crane Cam. 

Enough Already!

Our world was turned white again overnight.

And while it may seem pretty to some,

the poor crocus don't like it at all.

And the aconites are crying when will it ever be Spring!  It is too cold.

Bees and More

Here are the beehives that made it through the winter.

But as the maple buds have yet to open, the bees have needed some food, supplied by our beekeeper.

A few have found the crocus in bloom in my yard.  There is a bee on the left side of the clump of flowers.

I found at least five on the Loop Trail, so in years to come that will be a nearby source of food for the bees.

A pair of mallards swimming in the wetlands.

Fox sparrow

This fox sparrow stayed just long enough to have its photo taken.

Emerald Ash Borer

Here it is - the Emerald Ash borer.  Actually it is not this big, but this is a model brought by our speaker.

Donald Eggen presented us with all of the information about the emerald ash borer, which is threatening our ash trees, and will eventually kill them all, or almost all.

After his talk he took a bus ride around campus to see our ash trees and give us some insights as to how to decide which trees should be treated, which taken down and which left to die.  This one viewed from the bus, cannot be treated because of the double trunk.

There are ash trees near water which will affect our decisions on treatment.

There are ash trees near parking lots which provide needed shade.

There are ash trees in areas where they provide scenic attraction.
There will be difficult decisions ahead about our ash trees.

And they also looked at a sick sugar maple, which for the moment  could not be diagnosed.

Melting

The robins are happy to see some open ground.

The new wall up by Rte. 202 is progressing.

I was looking for some white ash trees, as we are going to have a program on the emerald ash borer on next Wednesday.

Here is one on Perimeter Road.

And another white ash.

And a crocus by the side of my apartment!  It is melting.

Resident Art Show

Every year at this time the residents and staff get to show off their latest works of art.

Such variety!

Art work, craft work, all wonderful.

But come and see for yourself.  It is in the Lobby of the Community Center.