Spring is slow in coming this year; but over the past two weeks, the awakening of life has softened the dingy, post-winter landscape. Summer bird migrants add their songs to the morning chorus; maples, Canada cherries and other trees bud; chipmunks dart about in the yard; and the early spring bulbs begin to bloom — among them my favorite: the beautiful blue squill.
Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica).
Striped Squill (Puschkinis scilloides).
Crocus buds (Crocus species ‘Ladykiller’).
Crocus blossoms (Crocus species ‘Ladykiller’)
Red Maple flowers (Acer rubrum).
Canada Cherry (Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’) leaves and flower buds.
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) © T.M. Murray 2014; used with permission.
White-throated sparrows are migrating north and add a melodious, clear whistling to early spring mornings. Once you’ve heard the song, it’s easy to remember. Many people liken it to the phrase, “My Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada”. This sparrow has a bright white throat, a black-and-white striped crown and a bright yellow spot between the eyes and bill. Listen to and watch a white-throated sparrow whistle its lovely, plaintive song.
Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are out of their winter dens.
American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are building nests.
Newly opened Glory-of-the-Snow (Chinodoxa).
A patch of Striped Squill and Siberian Squill in our garden.
Nature, Garden, Life 
Beth, looks like spring has arrived in Mn.
I hope so! A little more sun would be wonderful!
Lovely. And thanks for the connection to listen to the bird song.
You’re welcome and thanks for taking the time to listen!
Yesterday I was in the garden clearing out leaves and weeding. I grabbed a handful of brown leaves and it moved in my hand. I had grabbed up a big, fat toad. Looked just like the leaves.
Cathy, you are so lucky to have a toad or two in your garden! They love to eat slugs and other harmful garden critters.