I visited Frontenac State Park again. I will go again soon because I want to see the landscape undergo more dramatic changes as we accelerate into the warm season.
What I saw was a limestone valley on the cusp of spring, still very cool, with the night dipping a little below freezing and with patches of ice still to break up. The following day approached 45 degF though. I made a point this time of burning nothing and I left only a lot of muddy footprints.
The bald eagles were very actively fishing in Lake Pepin and scavenging along the shore. Some very vocal sandhill cranes flew through. Mergansers and northern pintails were loafing on the small lake in the prairie-like area of the park. I flushed a pheasant and an American woodcock.
None of the spring ephemerals have sprouted yet. The wood-warblers and other tiny spring migrants have not yet arrived. Nonetheless there is color and vibrancy to enjoy in the mosses and lichens and in the constantly weathering limestone rock.
I look forward to returning and picnicking along the River Bluff Trail and hearing chirping all around me. When you sit still to eat your nuts and canned salmon, birds tend to forget about you and go about their lives while you enjoy the show.
Total cost of the trip: $42.
pseudoisaac 