I spent my late March 'Spring' break from teaching split between Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Western Wisconsin and the Sax-Zim Bog north of Duluth.  Everyone from the upper Midwest knows that the end of March usually isn't so 'Springy' which is especially the case this year with the never ending snow.  But I had a wonderful time over my break in the late winter sun taking in nature and snapping some photos in these two wonderful wildlife areas. 

Crex Meadows

The sunny late winter skies were strikingly beautiful.

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End of Winter at Crex

I saw some raptors.

IMGP0285	Juvenile Bald Eagle In Crex Meadows
Rough-legged Hawk	Juvenile Bald Eagle

The 'Horned Larks' were very active which makes me think they may have been beginning to nest.

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I saw some winter insects as well.

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Tons of 'snow fleas' which are actually springtail insects	Close up of the 'snow fleas'	I believe this is a species of ground beetle.  I noticed these bigger insects around the 'snow fleas' and I'm guessing they were going to have a feast on the springtails.

I took these shots in February and thought it may have been a male mosquito.  After some research, I believe this is a 'Winter Crane Fly'.  Yes, some species of insects and spiders are out and about in winter.

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Winter Crane Fly	'Winter Crane Fly' close-up

Many Trumpeter Swans are back at Crex. I also saw a Northern Shrike which will likely be heading up north soon if they haven't done so already.

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Sax-Zim Bog 

I think I was a couple weeks late for all of the cool owls like the 'Great Gray', but I still saw a great deal of wildlife.

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North American Porcupine	Common Redpoll	Gray Jay

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Black-billed Magpie	Sharp-tailed Grouse

Horned larks are nesting, the sharp-tailed grouse are dancing, and early Spring migrants are arriving.  Quite an exciting time to be a nature nerd.