There was lots of snow – 12 inches at least – when we got to the farm this time. We drove in – barely. We had to shovel the entrance to the driveway where the plow had thrown up a big pile, but after that we just drove. We had to keep backing up to take a run at the snow, but the car kept going and we didn’t get stuck until Mike was turning the car to back it up to the front door. It’s warm and the days have been sunny, so I think it will melt soon.
One day I skied up Willow Road to the top of the hill, and down the Cabin Road – it was good to be on skis because the snow was so deep. I could see down into the tracks that the deer had made, at least 8 inches deeper than my ski tracks.

I saw two Kildeer fly by – I heard one calling, looked up and watched it fly north above the house. Then, about a minute later, I heard another, and watched it fly in exactly the same direction.

We saw a Northern Shrike in the wetland, sitting in the top of a tree. It stayed around for a couple days in the same area. I’m pretty sure it was a Northern rather than a Loggerhead Shrike.

A flock of Robins flew in on the second day of spring – chirping, not singing, but it still felt like spring.

Just before we left I walked up the hill to the opening beyond Indian Grass Prairie. I sat on a rock and listened to all the spring sounds. There was a cardinal singing high in a tree, and a flock of chickadees searching for food in the prickly ash thicket where I was sitting. It was difficult to take a photo of the cardinal – he was on the other side of a thicket of branches, but he was so bright that I thought I’d try.

On the way down the hill I could hear the tinkling sound of snow melting down the cliff behind the house. It was hard to see where the water was dripping, but the sound was very clear and loud.