The forest at Rouge Hills is a least a week behind in spring development compared to the more urban places that we go.

Leaves and other growth are just starting to emerge:

Christmas Fern from last year:

The beginnings of some tree and shrub flowers:

One of the most noticeable tree barks in the forest in Hop-hornbeam. The bark is gray-ish-brown; broken into short, narrow, longitudinal strips, loose at both ends and easily rubbed off.

The cluster of fruit sacs is reminiscent of hops; hence the name Hop-hornbeam.

Some park scenes:

Sometimes Bluebirds are seen here but not today.

Species list: ring-billed gull, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, eastern phoebe, tree swallow, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, pine warbler, red-winged blackbird, brown-headed cowbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, field sparrow, dark-eyed junco, song sparrow.  (18 species)

This morning’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Sugar’s sweet, but sap is sappier;
Cold nights make the farmers happier!     – The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1989

Miles Hearn