A Second Look--February 11, 2015

The winter weather continues typically for our region with temps ranging from teens to actual fifty's over the weekend. Too bad I had to work during that time, but it was good just knowing that it was warm outside. We also went almost an entire week without precipitation, but we are back to the old routine with freezing rain yesterday. However, February shows more hope for the coming of spring than January. Maybe I'm seeing what I want to see, but I think I see more birds and squirrels about. And I'm noticing more buds on trees. Actually they've been there since last fall, but I like to believe that they are a sign of spring.

Here are a few things I saw this week 

during a Second Look.

Female cardinal among maple buds

Rhododendron bud

There are fresh chips in the hollow of this tree. I vote for a woodpecker since there are other holes in this tree made by them. A sign of spring?

Dogwood buds

Male downy woodpecker. Down for a bite...

Up for a swallow.

Miss Landers sent me this picture. It reminds me that I don't have to be in a natural setting to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.