Spring Signs

Coco thinks she can drive.

Open trout season starts April 7 in NJ

Our first official outing of spring 2012 sprouted several signs of spring.  It seems appropriate since the first day of spring was earlier this week.  We made several stops with Coco and Rose in the backseat of our Jeep Liberty.  Since my hip replacement surgeries in November and January I have a new woman and hope to be able to walk better and further this spring but for now I am still pretty unsteady.  Shooting with my long lens is a challenge because I try to do it without a tripod.  So here are my first feeble attempts.

Moss

This little stream borders a golf course.  While we were enjoying the view we were graced by a pair of eastern wood phoebe which are some of the earliest returning migrants. What I loved most about the stream was the moss awakening below the sleeping trees.

Pine Warbler

Pine warblers feeling frisky

Pine warblers are some of the first warblers of spring.  We found a pair at Allaire State Park.  These two were switching from ground feeding to feeding in the trees.  These warblers feed on seeds from the pine cones and are reported to frequent feeders. 

Cowbird

This cowbird is another early returning migrant.  It is bittersweet to see them return.  They are one of the heralds of spring but they also are villains, placing their eggs in the nest of smaller birds.  As the young foster cowbirds grow they oust the other chicks from the nest until they alone are the baby.