Both morning and afternoon groups saw many Golden-crowned Kinglets today at Thomson Memorial Park:

Nature can be very cruel and, even though parents most likely show their youngsters some of the possible perils in their search for food, occasionally calamity strikes and a horrible death is the result.

Other birds:

Both groups saw butterflies:

Some botany:

10 am group:

1 pm group:

MAILBOX

Hi Miles
You asked me to send an article on butterflies such as the Mourning Cloak that overwinter as adults. When I first came to Canada, it amazed me to discover that the Mourning Cloak did this. I thought it was the only species that did, but others let me know this species is not alone. There are a number of good articles on the phenomenon, but I just quickly grabbed this one, knowing how efficient you are at getting reports out each day.
Thanks for a good, almost spring day of nature watching.

Overwintering butterflies – OFNC

NATURE POETRY

Look all around thee! How the Spring advances!
New life is playing through the gay, green trees
See how in yonder bower the light leaf dances
To the birds tread and the quivering breeze.     – Ludwig Tieck (1773–1853)

Miles Hearn