Just in the past week or so, Spring has really sprung here in the Copper Country. The archive photos show that in past years it was sprung by now, too. Like the photo from 2005, that Brita Haapala snapped of her family searching for Lake Superior treasures on a beautiful spring evening. Looks like one of the treasures Brita found was a beautiful sunset!

Then in 2010, Aladino Mandoli graced our pages with a Spring Beauty. This little striped flower is aptly named, since it really is a beauty and it blooms to add color after a dreary winter. Wildflowers dotting the forest floor after the snow melts, is our reward for the long winters we have here UP North.

An additional treat that comes along with Spring, is the return of the birds that have flown south for the winter. In 2014, Barbara Bouwkamp snapped this shot of a field where some returning geese stopped for a break. Still a little snow around that year, but it seemed to be melting quickly.

Brita Haapala was out and about this past weekend for a picnic with a few of her kids. They found a nice spot, complete with a fire pit and sunshine. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Another of the feathered friends that have returned to our neck of the woods, are the Sandhill Cranes. These large birds have a neat, prehistoric call, which can be heard for quite a distance. Watch and listen...

Pix are getting warmer and warmer, and the video reminds me of the song, "Lady Godiva":

"And people now are CRANING their necks to see her
'cause she's a star
One that everybody knows
Finished with the striptease shows
Now she can't afford her clothes

Her long blonde hair
Lyin' on the barber's floor
Doesn't need it long anymore
Lady Godiva"

...if anyone remembers that song.

There's quite the debate going on about hunting
Sandhills. Many states hunt them and they are more
abundant in Michigan now. They seem to be in a
status somewhat like the Canada geese were decades
ago.

Been hearing the Sandhill Cranes lately and the Frenchmen are really singing loudly tonight. No disrespect intended. Spring has sprung, those frogs are really at it. First time I've heard them this year. I love all the little flowers in the hardwoods this time of year. They're so delicate and pretty.

It's just been so nice to hear birds of any kind.
Great pictures!

Speaking of Canadian Geese. . .
The hunting season on them needs to be longer and unencumbered. They are everywhere, fearless and nasty.

Alex when I was much younger, weighed 95 lbs, my
blonde hair was long and having horses and a light
tan body suit, I did a Lady Godiva imitation.

JT...I'll bet Bob was jealous.
Nice profile pic, BTW.

Alex, that was before my Bob days.... ;)