on the verge of spring

I stayed local these past few days knowing I would be aiming south in a couple of days to where it is still winter.  The layers for warmth were not necessary while exploring around Carburn Park to see what birds and ducks I could see.  Once again the spring season is trying to spring up again.  A little while back it lasted for a week or so.  The snow is melting and the ice is breaking up. 

The Downy Woodpeckers are pairing up.  

Here the female on the left seems to be hiding from the male on the right.

Food is easier to find for the Black Capped Chickadees! 

This sweet one had the little pieces of wood flying everywhere.

The species of ducks arriving are growing as the days and weeks pass.  

This is a female Redhead Duck. 

two male Ring-Necked Ducks following behind two female Ring-Necked Ducks

Spring is in the air at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary which means it is mating season.  Large stretches of the trails are still covered in ice but with the coming forecast that should improve. This male Common Goldeneye is showing off his flexibility to impress the lady swimming past him.

The Northern Flickers are making loads of noise with their singing and drumming.  This one knows it can be more attractive and beat out the others by drumming on this steel post.  The noisier the more popular!

a White-Breasted Nuthatch easily finding food on bare wood

I noticed a pair of Common Mergansers swimming around in the pond.  

This female is in need of a new spring hair doo...  

...yet the guys like her as she is!  This is a male Common Merganser.

This is an enjoyable time of year to be out birding.  More and more species are arriving to spend the spring and summer.  It's mating season so their antics are quite the show to see.