3-11-08 Observations

- Cloudy and cool on the mountain this morning...with a forecast high in the upper 50s today.

- We had 2"-3" of snow Saturday morning, 3-8-08. Though the temperatures were well below normal both Saturday and Sunday, the roads cleared quickly. The mountains were beautiful!

- Monday, by contrast, was clear and brilliant with temperatures near 60. Springtime in Tennessee!

- Yesterday, for the first time this season, I heard the Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer). Often called the "Harbinger of Spring", these small frogs congregate around woodland pools in great numbers this time of year....in anticipation of the breeding season. Only the males call....and the din is often quite loud. They may be the origin of the "heard and not seen" phrase....as they are very difficult to see and even more difficult to catch. Upon interruption, they will cease their vocals, becoming silent until the threat passes. As the Latin name implies, they have a distinct 'X' on their back and this field mark is one way to distinguish these tiny frogs from other similar species...like the Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans).

- The Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are back...the first ones were seen in the willows near Lake George (in our mountain developments) over the weekend.

- Attached are photos of a Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) caught in the act of trying (and failing) to access the bird feeders. As many have found out these acrobatic rodents will try most anything to get at sunflower seeds!

- Also attached is an American Robin (Turdus migratorius), seemingly captured in a melancholy pose. Perhaps this one was a bit confused by the snow and the cold...as they have only recently arrived after a winter in warmer climes!