The dogwoods are just starting. Some are “forward” as Thoreau used to say, meaning they are in bloom earlier than the rest. Most are still in that greenish phase that can take a while to turn into a white flower. I don’t think this weekend will be the peak, but I think there may be a good number in bloom.
I’ve seen another old sarvis in the neighborhood come into bloom, and there are a few young ones in bloom here and there. Our young ones haven’t bloomed yet – they are still showing white tips – and I’m beginning to wonder if they will bloom this year. Usually, they are here and gone before the dogwoods. Oddly, the old sarvis on our property is still holding some blossoms. They’ve never lasted this long in the past.
The Five-lined Skinks are out and about, and have been for a few days. I haven’t seen any Fence Lizards yet.
For the past two days, the Red-bellied Woodpecker has been giving his “kwirr” call constantly, looking for a mate. There have been a lot of trees cut down next door since last spring, and I’m glad to see that he’s back nonetheless. There are also a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches nesting in a hollow knot where an oak limb used to be, and they seem to be busy feeding their young.