April 10, 2010 – We have had some temperatures near 80 less than two weeks ago and then yesterday it was below freezing with an inch of snow on the ground.  The wind howled and visibility was at times less than 100 yards.  Today it was sunny and the temperature reached 55.  What a strange spring we are having this year.

A tufted titmouse has been frequenting the feeder and an apparently very territorial white-breasted nuthatch is constantly chasing it off.  The only turkey we have been seeing is a hen that wanders into the backyard every now and then.  She's very skittish and at any movement in the house she runs for the swamp.

Today the pair of mallards and pair of wood ducks were once again swimming down in the creek and we watched them from the studio window.  Based on last year's reports, we can expect to see the bears making an appearance anytime now (see below.)  I talk to a neighbor last night that lives about a half mile from us and he said that his trail cameras showed 23 different bears in the area last year.

April 19, 2010 - I was sitting at the computer the other day and a bird landed on the branch over the feeder.  It was in my peripheral vision and I assumed it was a morning dove.  When I looked up I was surprised to see a drake wood duck standing on the limb.  It's been an interesting day today with lots of birds coming to the feeder.  There were five turkey vultures flying around the edge of the swamp.  Yesterday one swooped over me about 15 feet over my head - I must look older than I thought!  The mallard pair were back and the creek again, but I didn't see the wood duck pair.  An adult tom turkey came walking through the back yard and he stuck around this area for several hours.  He wandered down by the creek, lay down and appeared to fall asleep at times.  I have never seen a tom so relaxed like this.  I suppose that chasing hens all morning can make a fellow tired.  I'm sure a quick nap in the sunshine felt great.

April 21, 2010 - The turkeys were back in force this morning and their gobbling got my attention.  Just after 7:30 am there were eight toms and one hen in the backyard.  Only one tom had much of a beard and the rest were all jakes.  The hen ignored them all and while the males wandered off toward the swamp several times, she refused to leave the yard and they always came back to her.  After half an hour of some gobbling and only one jack displaying, the hen slipped around the house and down the driveway.  Apparently unnoticed, the adult tom was right behind her.  Once they hit the drive they trotted down towards the highway and flew off together across the road.  All the jakes were still walking around in the backyard and l looked like they'd been had - and they were!  I could see egg on there faces from the studio!  Within a few minutes all seven of them lined up and single file they headed back to the swamp.

I just looked out the studio window down to the creek and I see five beautiful drake wood ducks with one hen.  The sun is just now pushing through the trees and reaching for the creek.