TRR photo by Ed Wesely Crocuses in the snow, April 7. (Click for larger image)

April’s “big” snow. Weather Service predictions of six to 10 inches of snow on April 7 were enough to close local schools, but the snow generally fizzled. I recorded two and a half inches of snow near Milanville, which put my tally at 91.5 inches for the winter.
 

	TRR photo by Ed Wesely Crocus with fly pollinator, April 10. (Click for larger image)

Small benefactors. Insects have had a tough time finding nectar and pollen. In late March a bear destroyed our local skunk cabbage population, and crocuses have been buttoned tight.

Finally, on April 10, the sun broke through and the thermometer hit 58 degrees, bringing small solitary bees, and a few flies and ants to the crocuses. There are 16,000 known fly species in North America, so I have no idea which fly was visiting the crocus in my photograph. Notice that the fly had landed on the flower’s “stigma,” which is designed to receive pollen.

—Ed Wesely