Spring officially begins at the equinox on March 20. However, meteorologists and naturalists consider March 1 to be the start of spring. It’s a great time to be outside and see the swelling buds, emerging perennials, and nesting birds. Here is what is happening on our grounds now.

Every day brings surprises. Today I noticed our first bluebells emerging in Springsview Garden. I was working in the same area yesterday and I didn’t notice them. Did they come up overnight?

Detail of a rotting log in Springsview Garden. I’d guess this is a resilient wood, like locust.

Moss “blooming” on a log. I need to learn about mosses.

A pile of feathers inevitably means that a hawk or owl had a meal nearby.

Could this red-bellied woodpecker be making a new nest cavity in this maple tree?

Seed heads of New York ironweed in Springsview Garden. I’m surprised that birds have not gotten to them yet.

Our RE students made these colored sticks that now add a fun element to our grounds.

Tracks left by an emerald ash borer in a dead ash tree. Many ash trees on our grounds have been killed by this non-native invasive insect.

I hope you enjoyed the images, which were taken with my new Nikon Z6 camera with a 100-400mm zoom lens. I have so much to learn about how to use this camera.

Joe