Spring Buds at Hoffman Hills

One of my favorite times of the year is the spring. I love photographing spring buds. When the trees are budding out the colors in the forest are almost as beautiful as the fall colors.

 

Advertisements

Hoffman Hills Recreation Area

This past weekend after the Sandhill Crane Count we drove out to Hoffman Hills to look around. Not a lot happening. We did notice that the Tree Swallows have returned. We photographed this pair near a bird house.

There were some nice reflection shots in the two ponds.

Early Spring at Hoffman Hills

My wife and I drove out to Hoffman Hills for our first look around this spring.  We did hear some Sandhill Cranes and saw a couple of Mallard Ducks and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This was the first Song Sparrow we have seen this spring.

The Pussy Willows are now in bloom although they seem to be much further along at Gilbert Creek Wildlife Area.

We encountered a Turkey Vulture flying over one of the lakes.

Pond Reflections of the Willow Trees.

Last years Flowers.

Hoffman Hills Recreation Area

A fall hike around Hoffman Hills revealed some nice fall colors.

 

 

Spring at Hoffman Hills

A walk through the wetlands area turned up quite a few things to photograph. One of my favorite subjects in the spring is backlit leaves.

There were a variety of birds in and around the ponds. This year the Canada Geese only had three goslings.

Mallard Duck

Belted Kingfisher

Canada Geese

Tree Swallow

The fruit trees were in bloom.

Spring Blooms

Pond Reflections are always a good choice.

Pond Reflections

Seen at Hoffman Hills this Weekend

Walking around Hoffman Hills we noticed these flowers were blooming.

Prairie Smoke

Pussytoes

There were quite a few birds around.

Belted Kingfisher

 

Eastern Bluebirds

Tree Swallow

Canada Geese Goslings

As we were leaving a Muskrat swam by.

Muskrat

Fall at Hoffman Hills Recreation Area

We were fortunate to be around when the fall colors at Hoffman Hills were near their peak. The following day a fall hike was scheduled but the weather indicated strong winds and heavy rain so we went a day early.

Insects at Hoffman Hills

Walking around Hoffman Hills the last few weeks I have been able to find a wide variety of insects. This is getting to be a good time of year to look for insects.

Monarch Butterfly

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Honey Bee

Flower Fly

Done Leaf Beetle

Checkerspot

Flowers at Hoffman Hills

There are a variety of flowers blooming at Hoffman Hills Recreation Area. The predominant flower is the Queen Anne’s Lace.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Purple Cone Flower

Prairie Blazing Star

Joe-pye Weed

Butterfly Weed

 

Wildflowers Blooming at Hoffman Hills

Currently the Wild Lupine and Prairie Smoke are blooming at Hoffman Hills Recreation Area.