We had another cold few days – hopefully the last ones before spring really arrives. The high was 40 degrees and there was snow on the ground on May Day.

There are flowers blooming, but not many new ones. There are still places in the woods full of blooming Rue Anemones and Wood Anemones – they don’t seem to be hurt by the frosts.

Wood Anemone

And some blooming Wood Betony

The apple trees and wild plums are starting to bloom.

Wild Plum

I found one crab apple tree – the first I’ve found on our place – with dark pink blossoms.

Crab Apple

We noticed a pile of sand on the east side of Fallen Oak Point. I climbed up and explored and found a huge freshly dug hole and a giant mound of sand. I think it’s a coyote den – a new one – or at least newly refurbished. Last week when I was walking into the prairie knoll on top of the point I heard lots of animals moving in the woods below me. I couldn’t see them very well, but they were tan colored and didn’t bound away through the woods like deer. I think they must have been coyotes – maybe working on their new place.

Here’s the sand pile next to the hole.

And here’s the hole.

One morning we were wakened by two Sandhill Cranes calling loudly, flying over the house and down Center Valley. I’m still hoping they’re checking out the wetland for nesting sites.