Top Photo: Eastern towhee sings, “Drink your Te-e-e-e-e-e.”

The towhee above is a local breeder and resides here year round. The tree swallows below have just returned from their wintering areas along the gulf coast and Central America and have claimed the nest box for their own (it was built specifically for them).

The hermit thrush pictured here spends the winter with us but will be departing for points north within the next few weeks, if not days.

Early season dragonflies, blue corporals more often than not perch on or near the ground. The one shown is perched on the Floating Walkway in Explore the Wild. Its blue abdomen and shoulder stripe make it a male.

Dandelions are familiar to almost everyone. Both the flower and seed head’s identification are learned in childhood.

Dawn redwood is sprouting its soft, opposite leaves.

Heeling over like a lenten rose, pawpaw’s maroon flowers are in bloom.

A sure sign of spring, and rotting wood, is a swarm of termites heading off to create new colonies. The termites here are departing a wooden fence post to seek a mate and start new colonies. If they make it past the birds or dragonflies above they’ll mate, lay eggs in a hole in the ground or piece of wood and establish a colony.

The early season frogs and toads are fairly done. The true frogs are tuning up.

There’s always something to see as you wander around outdoors, but you have to be there to see it.

Ranger Greg