Signs of Spring (MN style)

[rtbaum]

All things are relative. Today it rose above freezing, puddles are evident, and the locals are emerging from the snowy landscape.

I took a cruise to the Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge Blackdog Unit. This refuge is somewhat unique in that it falls primarily within a metropolitan area.



Trumpeter Swans, Canada geese, and Common Mergansers



Common Merganser



Hooded Merganser



Bald Eagle (finally.......but damn that branch!!)

[Bobobird]

Good day out with a good share of nice pics.

[travis4567]

Signs of Spring here in Jersey too. Can actually see some grass today as the temp got to 50 degrees. The geese are looking for food.

[Downrigger]

Nice. Thank you for these. From my years at "the "U", I remember so well how wildness was set aside even in Minneapolis, and how there's no place better to know that the only the harshest winters bear along to their sufferers the deepest joy in spring. It'll hit 40 and you'll be running around in a t-shirt with those handsome fowl.

[rtbaum]

Nice. Thank you for these. From my years at "the "U", I remember so well how wildness was set aside even in Minneapolis, and how there's no place better to know that the only the harshest winters bear along to their sufferers the deepest joy in spring. It'll hit 40 and you'll be running around in a t-shirt with those handsome fowl.

Ah yes....the annual breaking out of the T-shirt is scheduled for Monday

[NorthernFocus]

Nice. Hope those critters get plenty to eat so they can head this way in a few weeks. Now you guys are warming up so it's getting cold here. Single digits tonight but dry.

[Shadowman]

Nice series. We had stories of ducks starving to death because the waterways were frozen over.

[rtbaum]

Black dog lake is interesting, as it never freezes over. It the outlet of a power plant and is always an excellent spot to find ducks, geese, eagles, even the occasional robin.

[IzzieK]

Dan, don't you have Spring in Alaska???

Good ones Randy...did you remove some branches from the side of the eagle? I can see some baldy spots there...

[rtbaum]

Nope, pretty much asooc, just cropping, sharpening, etc.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images

[bnnrcn]

Nice images,I loved the eagle