No Sign of Spring

The winter of 2013/2014 was long and bitter.  Today, March 10, the lake is still completely covered with ice. 

Winter is nearly over.  The ice that covered the stream is melting  Other than some melting ice, there is little evidence that Spring is imminent.  I didn't see any flowers, leaves or insects.  The Spring migration will not start until food is available.

This female Cardinal spent the winter in the forest.  

The Red-headed Woodpecker is searching for insects that spent the Winter in dead trees.

Winter Wonderland

Nebraska isn't known for mild winters.  We have months of subzero weather with intermittent blizzards. This winter has been an exception - at least until yesterday.  Fourteen inches of snow were on the ground by the time the storm was over.  Still the transition was gentle - the snow fell so softly that it stuck to the branches and transformed the neighborhood into a winter wonderland.