It Must Be Spring

Although we haven't broken the 50F mark, the last week has seen every day above freezing and several in the high 40s.  The sun has been shining brightly and the snow is melting fast.  More of the same is predicted for the next week. 

Today at Creamer's Field they were plowing the field in anticipation of the migratory birds that will be heading our way soon.

Every year a crew from the airport brings equipment over to Creamer's Field and does some plowing to help the snow melt quicker.  Then barley is spread on the plowed areas.  This is done to help encourage the birds to land at Creamer's rather than at the ponds that are around the airport.

No spring flowers are peeking out of the ground and the trees are not showing any green, but in Fairbanks plowing the field is a sign that spring is arriving.

The snow blower is a little different critter than I normally show out in the field, but it's certainly easier to spot than the smaller birds that will show up soon!

I'm linking up with Good Fences #53

at the Run "A" Round Ranch Report.

 I'm also linking up with Gaelyn's Foto Friday Fun #104

with my photo below, Index No. 1955,

taken at Creamer's Field May 10, 2011.

The Sandhill Cranes are one of the many birds we'll see soon at Creamer's Field, although they are one of the last to show up.  They are a very vocal bird, and one of the typical calls is a unison-call, with the male the one with his beak pointed higher.  The unison-call is used as affirmation of pair solidarity and as a territorial claim.

 I'll get back to posting photos from the Ice Park and the Multi-Block winners soon.  The Park is still open until Sunday, but unfortunately our early warm weather has not been kind to the sculptures at the Park this year.  Some years the weather has been cold enough that the Park has remained open into April.  However, all that beauty isn't lost because of the many photos that have been taken of the sculptures, and they can be enjoyed for many years to come.

A Taste of Spring

Since so much of the country is buried in snow right now, I thought a little spring color was in order.

Vashon Island, Washington

March 30, 2014

I'm linking up with Good Fences

at the Run  "A" Round Ranch Report.

Reflection

April 16, 2012

Breakup at Creamer's Field

I am linking up with Good Fences

at the Run "A" Round Ranch Report

Alaskan Country Road

Waking Up

Creamer's Lake

With temperatures in the mid-50s during the day and staying above freezing at nights, our snow has been rapidly melting.  Tuesday evening I discovered a new lake covering a good deal of the front viewing field at Creamer's Field.

Of course, there were a lot more birds there too, still mostly Canada Geese, but upwards of 20 Trumpeter Swans, and a few varieties of ducks.

There were still some patches of snow and some bare ground.  The level of the water is  very shallow, and it won't take long for it to soak into the ground.  

While it lasts, though, Creamer's Lake is a lovely spot to watch the spring migration.

The collage below shows the progression of the snow melt, starting in the lower right corner with April 11, moving upwards to April 15 and 16, then to the upper left April 18 and the bottom left April 19.

The bulk of the snow is gone, although in shaded spots it's still there, and of course where it's been plowed into piles.  Flower beds are emerging, and just the tiniest bits of green are beginning to poke out.  Spring can't be far behind! 

Goodbye Spring, Hello Snow

After spending 10 days in the Pacific Northwest, enjoying the flowers of spring and even one day of 70 degree weather, we're back home in Alaska.

No flowers here yet, but furrows have been plowed in the snow at Creamer's Field in anticipation of all those birds that are migrating north.

Grain will be spread soon to welcome their arrival and help them to refuel before continuing their journey further north.

So far though the field is quiet.  

Our daytime temps are in the 40s, so melting should go fairly quickly.  The geese and ducks and cranes should be here soon!

Spring in the Skagit Valley

A Closer Look

One of my favorite flowers is the Wild Iris.  It's beautiful to see a mass of blue Iris.....

.....but I like to look a little closer too.

Perhaps the best view though is when you go in really close!

A Touch of Spring

It's a long ways to June......

Crane Dance

I ran across this series of photos that I took early in May during Spring migration at Creamer's Field.  I do love watching the Cranes dance!