Yesterday, May 3, we returned once again to the Glacial Lakes Trail.  Picking up where we left off one week ago. I think it is safe to say, I hope, that spring is finally here. It is still a bit chilly, but the sun has made a much welcomed return after a week of clouds and rain. The ice is off Green Lake, though I don't know if it melted or was pelted and then sank under the rain. No matter, it is gone!!!!

The birds were much happier too, they were singing and flying around happy to be alive and somewhat warm. Although the relentless wind was making it hard for the smaller birds to fly well. On the first half of the trip we saw lots of Chipping Sparrows singing to their hearts content. We also saw a pair of Wood Ducks and a pair of Mallards at an observation point on a small hidden pond along the trail. Also there we saw a little male Ruby-crowned Kinglet hopping around from branch to branch. Soaring above our heads was a Broad-winged Hawk, a first sighting for us. There was also sightings of Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, American Robins, Great Blue Herons, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, and Phoebes.

At this point we returned to the car for a quick hydration break. Then took off again in the opposite direction. The wind was so strong walking over the bridge that I almost lost my baseball hat several times. On this side of the trail there were sightings of American Robins, Painted turtles, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Mallards, Northern Flicker, House Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Canadian Geese, Egret, Woolly-bear Caterpillars, Blue-winged Teals, Blue Jays, Palm Warbler (a first for us), House Finches, Mourning Doves, oodles of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and an amazing little Black and White Warbler. He was so funny jumping from branch to branch looking for a bite to eat. So amazing spending time with these tiny little birds.

There were many things to remember on this trip aside from the wildlife, we saw a large man sunbathing in the chilly weather, and somehow ended up waiting for the New London/Spicer Prom goers to parade their cars around town. The variety of cars was amazing from huge stretch limos, to hot rods, to a model T, a station wagon, convertibles, and one poor girl had to ride in a mud encrusted truck.