Early Spring at Seneca

    The first signs of early Spring have appeared at Seneca, Md. (where Seneca Creek comes into the Potomac River, and where the C&O Canal tow path passes over the creek).  In addition to the numerous Red-necked Grebes noted in the last posting here, within the last week or so, there have been numerous Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) calling from a local vernal pool, and also the appearance of an adult Black-crowned Night-Heron.
 Wood Frogs are found throughout Maryland,  and much of the eastern states as far south as Georgia.   The Night-Herons breed locally, and this bird may be the same one that has been seen at Seneca in other years. 
 I managed to get a few shots of both of those harbingers of Spring.

 Wood Frog, Lithobates sylvaticus in a vernal pool at Seneca.

                Another Wood Frog at Seneca.

                       Another View.

  I found this Black-crowned Night-Heron at the mouth

                      of Seneca Creek.

   Looking away and, perhaps, getting nervous.

  The heron soon flew away.  I managed to get a couple of 

       not real sharp or clear, but interesting shots of it in the air.

  I am not sure why the plumage that should appear black 

       seems to be blue here.  

 The heron appears larger in the air than it did sitting 

        on the side of the creek.

    That's all for now, but Spring has only just begun.