As with most of 2026, last week was pretty crap for lumbering, with only 3 lumbers and a mere 13.78 miles in my feetz. I was pretty down about it, but there were some signs to be positive about.

Real flowers, sun, and green grass type spring is about 7 or more weeks away for mid-Michigan, but there has been a real uptick in critter activity, and many birds are returning to breed. While 23˚ and 13 MPH winds are not my type of breeding weather (I tend to catch a chill when breeding outdoors), the birds don’t seem to mind, and it really is a sign that the critters are just as ready for spring as I am.

I started the week with a 6.26-mile loop today, which was sadly my longest lumbers in a month and nearly half of last week’s total! (rolls eyes, puts head in hands, pours drink), and heard and saw a LOT of critter activity. I wasn’t able to capture all the activity, but I saw a bald eagle flying overhead, some common goldeneye ducks far out in the water, mallards overhead, geese honking, deer hiding deep in the woods, squirrels nut-noshing, and bluejays squawking.

However, it was a real treat seeing a trio of pileated woodpeckers pecking their heads off in the wooded, dark valley near the river. The darkness in the woods made it tough to get high-quality images, but two of the three birds were fairly cooperative. It was also a hoot to hear the three woodpeckers calling in the woods from such a close distance. They truly do sound like they are insane!

My favorite images came with about .20 miles to go as I made my way down the main park path to Escape II in the lot. I thought I saw a blue jay dodging in and out of the brush. But it turned out to be a couple of Eastern Bluebirds. I’m pretty sure I’ve only managed one photo of an Eastern Bluebird over the years, and today’s batch was by far my best, and I’m super stoked with the images!

While I would like to be positive about the critters, spring coming, and a normal mileage week, it is still going to be winter-like, AND I am worried that I might be fighting off a head cold. Which, if that’s all it is, no problem. But if it morphs into legit flu or something, I am going to be less than thrilled and apparently sick.

Later.