This photo of frost was taken on the frozen surface of a stream in Lancaster County, Nebraska. It makes me cold just looking at it.
Frost on an ice-covered stream. Lancaster County, Nebraska
Technically, we’ve got almost a month of winter left. It sure doesn’t feel like it. The snow has all melted and the forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 40’s and 50’s for the next week or so. Sandhill cranes and geese appear to think spring is here too – they’re just pouring into the Platte River valley right now. Pretty soon we’ll hear red-winged blackbirds singing (if you can call it that) on their territories and it’ll be official.
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About Chris Helzer
Chris Helzer is the Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska. His main role is to evaluate and capture lessons from the Conservancy’s land management and restoration work and then share those lessons with other landowners – both private and public. In addition, Chris works to raise awareness about the importance of prairies and their conservation through his writing, photography, and presentations to various groups.
Chris is also the author of "The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States", published by the University of Iowa Press. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska with his wife Kim and their children.
I spotted my first Red-Wing of the year this morning. Not long now!
We have blue birds in southern VT along the CT river. I’m glad the ice on the driveway has thawed but it’s almost a guilty pleasure. No red-wings here yet!
Chris, have you read about a whooping crane in Nebr. along the Platte? My cousin in Richardson Co. (my birthplace) says he read in the paper about the presence of one – though he didn’t recall exactly where it was. I said the whooper was probably in along with the sandhill cranes. –I’m sure you would tell us if you had seen one! P.S.: I kinda like red wing songs — it was one of the first bird songs I tried to mimic as a small person. Cheers!
Hey Brodie,
There were three whoopers around several weeks ago, but nothing recently that I’m aware of. There has been a common crane (Eurasian bird) hanging around with the sandhills, but I don’t know if anyone’ seen it during the last couple of days.
Chris
I have seen and heard red wings on the TNC property I am surveying for you….just this last Tuesday!!!! Medow larks too. They are singing their hearts out!!! Spring is here!
Karen