It's Holy week...Happy Easter!

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?  

Matthew 6:26

 Along the highway...Surprise! What a wonderful gift! 

It even posed with a left turn of his head and a right turn, 

and it finally flew away...so majestic.

This eagle was nesting right over the Niobrara River. Ready to begin new life.

 

Trumpeter swans stop along the Niobrara River. What do you think they have to be happy about?

 

They  step out of the slushy Niobrara, preen, and nap. That's what they have to be happy about!

 

The underbellies of these geese are red as the sun sets and the moon continues to rise.

A few years ago, these Sandhill Cranes stopped by on their migration! Will they stop by this year?

 

Even in the whippiest of winds and snowiest of snows, God provides for our little feathered ones. 

 

 On your mark....get set...soar...yes, that means you too!

May you experience Peace this Easter!

And remember, the Sandhills have all this glory for you to see at this time of year!!! 

Come you bird and fowl lovers. Watch the wonderful variety of birds as they build their nests, 

sit on their eggs and enjoy spring in the Sandhills! 

Time for new beginnings...new life, and for planning your Sandhills vacation.

Winter is fun in the Sandhills of Nebraska!!!

Nothing squirrley about a spring snow here in Valentine, Nebraska. And what fun it is!

 

Last year's leaves are dripping with frozen moisture that fell Saturday, March 9.

These will become fuel for birds returning this spring.

Hot color and cool icicles on this March morning.

Not only were the trees cloaked in frozen precip, so too were the power lines. Winter wonderland and the power stayed on!

What was found in an alley as discarded trash looks more like art with icicles hanging like crystals off a chandelier.

The neutral, rustic, tones are calming and soothing even though the wind was whipping the trees back and forth.

More sculptural trash turned into art!

With drought conditions excessive last year, this moisture is a HUGE blessing!

This icicle was the largest one found while driving around in the winter wonderland.

What do you see here? Signs of spring!

The heavy moisture caused these little pines to bow.

More soothing colors in nature!

It won't be long and the snow will begin falling. Meanwhile, geese are swimming joyfully in this pond.

Thank you for the winter kibble!

It's later in the day Saturday, March 9, heavy, wet, moisture laden snow began falling - again!

It began blanketing trees and branches, already decorated with small icicles.

A small winged one awaits its turn at the feeder.

Keep falling, keep falling...we're grateful and thank You Lord, for every snow flake that falls and every bit of moisture it contains! Looking forward to a GREEN spring and summer!

Deep in the woods, nothing is left untouched by the fallen moisture.

And the snow continues while this deer finds something to satisfy its hunger.  Doesn't winter in the Sandhills make you hungry? There's plenty to see and do! More on this later in the week!

Vacation Planning...

It's mid March, the birds are back, trees starting to leaf out, and the bulbs are blooming...ALREADY!



Above, is a yellow finch, and below is a red finch. Welcome back little ones and thanks for your spring song!




This is a maple tree just shooting out its buds.

You know what that means...time to get the boats cleaned out, motors checked (gas and electric), and swap out the ice fishing poles for the real poles.

The folks at the south refuge say the fish are biting and are doing a pretty good job of it. They have a map that shows all 72,000 acres of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Call Refuge Manager Mark Lindvall for the availability of the maps at 402-376-1889. Remember, the refuge lakes only allow electric motors. http://www.fws.gov/valentine/

The maps have information on all sorts of things, like: the location of all 30 lakes, contours on some of the lakes, the windmills, the pasture numbers, some of the vegetation as well as all the roads. The map size is 24x36 inches and encompasses all 72,000 acres of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Hunters and hikers will find the map useful as well. The cost of the map is $10.00 plus shipping.

The Grouse blinds will be set up soon, hopefully by April 1. It's quite a show those grouse put on to find a mate. While there's no hunting during this season, it's a show photographers really enjoy. Call Mark Lindvall to reserve a blind.

Merritt Reservoir also has open water ready for you to drop a line. Have you made any of your camping reservations yet? It is that time of year to begin thinking of warmer weather - even though we've already set several record high temperatures for March.

Here's some enjoyment at the Mill Pond last Friday. This could be YOU! 

With two poles in the water, his pup near by, and record setting warm temperatures Friday, you can understand the joy his face reveals.

 Also full of joy are these geese who are playing up and over with one another.

 Can you even imagine finding a frog sunning itself... in MARCH???? The record high reached was 84 degrees.

The sky was filled with beautiful gold tones that night. Don't let another sunset without thinking about your Sandhills Western Vacation plans.