Still life with woodpeckers

I'm not sure if i've just started looking, or if maybe the woodpeckers know i'm looking for them. I saw two more today, outside my window. These were not Greens, but the more common Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Still gorgeous. And either they have sensed that i WANT to see them, or its just spring and the birds are all out in full color.

And on that note, i also saw three pheasant two days ago on my way into town. My usual path into town takes me by a marshy field, where the reeds are clumpy and high enough for a respectable duck or large bird to sit in and not be seen. As i rode by on my bike, i saw a family stopped looking and pointing. This is always a good cue to stop (binoculars are another dead giveaway) and as i slowed, two pheasants flushed about 20 feet from me. Nice, because i've only ever seen male pheasant in the area. Could be a mating pair? Not seconds later, i saw another male flying out of the field on the other side of the path.

Then, as i was cycling home last night, another cue to slow down, get off the bike. A group of three people was stopped, fanned out across the path, then walking slowly. Stopped again. Repeat. As i approached this curious behavior pattern, and had to slow down anyway just to pass them, i saw what they were looking at: frogs. "We're just trying to get them off the path", they explained cheerfully. The frog hopped off into the dirt just off the path and burrowed himself under a couple of strands of grass. I watched for a few minutes, since i haven't seen any small slimy animals on the path since last autumn when the snails were out. As i watched the wrinkly frog breathing heavy after its encouther with The Path, i spotted a snail resting on a broad leaf of grass.

More signs of spring! Animals out in full fury, mating and creeping out in the bright mild day from the wet and dark depths of winter. The world transforms right in front of us, as long as we're paying attention.