Will somebody please take the lady with skinny legs, please?

O and John heard a Mockingbird at the Woods, and Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs. They saw many salamander and frog eggs in the Swamp. It seems late for amphib eggs but they (the amphibs, that is) know what they’re doing.

A Muskrat repeatedly swam back and forth across the river, gathering corn from the bank and, diving midway across the river each time, taking it back to her/his den. We’ve seen this over the course of several days so assume she’s taking corn to babies, or at least fattening up on it. They’re prolific little rodents, having as many as 5 litters of 11 each per year. We’ve only had the briefest of glimpses of them before so it’s unusual to see so much activity.

Two Canada Geese have set up housekeeping on the riverbank just outside the kitchen window. The male mounted the female in the river; afterward, she dipped her head and shook off the water, and we could see goslings as soon as April 30.

Two Garter Snakes were entwined at the Woods, presumably mating (otherwise, why the familiarity?). O said they both looked at him as he intruded, their two heads suggesting Medusa. Gray Fox scat was spotted on a mossy, fallen log. Spring Beauty leaves are up, Elderberry leaves are opening, Red Maple flowers are in full bloom, and buckeye leaves (Yellow? Ohio?) are fat ’n’ juicy.
Hummingbirds have migrated to central Ohio. They’re not at the ’Possum Valley Arboretum and Wildlife Preserve yet, but the feeder is full and we’re watching the map: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html . A riot of birdsong: Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, etc., etc., etc. A loud "hawky" sound sent us to the window where we saw a handsome (beautiful?) Osprey rounding the bend. There are no doubt lots of warblers and others making their way through but we’re notoriously bad at learning the wee ones’ songs and calls. American Goldfinches are taking on their summer plumage.