Our weather has finally and decidedly turned spring-like, and none too soon. A few days ago, I went for a hike on the No. 9 Trolley Trail and the nearby woods around Banneker Park in Oella, MD. The woods had come alive over the last week. The trees had small leaves. The forest floor was covered in green, and the birds were singing. Pine warblers and blue-gray gnatcatchers were flitting about the branches, as were many other species. One species made a spectacular appearance: a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers! Check out this photograph:

I was delighted to see quite a large number and variety of butterflies, such as this swallowtail.

Lucky for me, the poison ivy has yet to emerge, and I was able to walk uninhibited in the glades, giving me an opportunity to photograph nature as it awakens from its winter rest.

If you are a resident of Catonsville or the surrounding towns, you really deserve to treat yourself to a (very easy) walk on the No. 9 Trolley Trail, especially in springtime.

Best wishes,

        Bob