Hawthorns beautiful blooms & other spring progress

Here’s the latest report on spring at the preserve: hawthornes (Crataegus sp.) are blooming. I’ve never paid much attention to them before now but there are several nice ones in the area around the pond. I saw a yellow warbler in this one yesterday.

Also blooming now are the redbud trees, nodding trillium, and Jack-in-the-pulpit.

On Sunday morning I heard my first ovenbirds and wood thrushes calling.  I saw the first hummingbird of the year (thanks for the heads-up, Tim). I heard gray treefrogs calling. And now on the pond in addition to the spring peepers and American toads I hear an occasional green frog.

The pollen is blowing thickly in the air. When I walked the dog last night I saw pollen blowing in the glow of my headlamp, like the particles you see floating past the camera in undersea video.