Here are the opened male blossoms of the silver maple, resting on tree bark. Some maples are male while others are female, and some have both types of flowers.

This yellow crocus began blooming at the end of last week in Douglas County. The ornamental snow drops are also likely blooming, with daffodil leaves beginning to poke up.

These geese are flying over a cottonwood. This time of year, it’s easy to hear the honking flocks of geese, particularly in the morning and evening skies, and it’s a great time of year to spot many other birds such as ducks, hawks, eagles, gulls, doves and more.

The cold temperatures have frozen over most rivers, except for where the current is fast enough to keep it open, as it has in several spots near the Bowersock dam in Lawrence. Eagles, geese and other birds looking for food/protection are concentrated by the open water.

This eagle is walking, looking to do a little fishing if it can get around the ice. This week, for most of Kansas, temperatures will be above freezing, which is good for tapping tree sap but not for skating.

Sycamore trees are white barked and easy to spot. Their smooth round seed balls stay on the trees all winter long and persist into the spring when they can be pulled off and thrown at a wall, exploding into seeds.