Well it's mid-April and I can't believe this is the first time I was able to get out with my camera this year.  It was a brutally cold and incredibly long winter, and finally (possibly) spring has come to Minnesota. Though I won't hold my breath since today it is cold once again.

We packed up the dog and camera and headed out on the Glacial Lakes state trail near Spicer Minnesota. This was our second hike on this trail. The day started out cold and dreary, but ended up warmer and mostly sunny. Most of the ice is still on the lakes, but the ponds are open.  Which is good for me because the ducks are in the ponds and not out in the middle of the lakes where I can't see them.

Couldn't believe the number of Buffleheads we saw. They are so white against the dark waters. Very pretty ducks. We also saw Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks, American Coots, Scaups, Redheads, Northern Shovelers, and of course Canadian Geese. Some of the geese looked like they were starting to nest, hope they know what they are doing and wont freeze. We also saw American white pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Trumpeter Swans, a gray squirrel with a red mohawk, a leopard frog, and a garter snake.

As for the birds we saw there were plenty of them. Most of them too skittish to be photographed, but still just nice to be out and listen to them sing. There were Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, an Eastern Bluebird, Fox Sparrows, tons of American Robins, Cardinals, Hairy Woodpeckers, Eastern Phoebes, Blue Jay, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and possibly a Veery. The pictures have been sent out for identification to make sure of its identity.

All in all it was a good day, though any day away from work and outside is a good day. Can't wait for our next adventure.

UPDATE: Our possible Veery sighting was really a Hermit Thrush.