Early Spring at the Wildlife Refuge & Kootenai Creek in March

You've seen Kootenai Creek in both late Spring & the Fall on my blog. The Hallelujah Hikers decided to start our hiking in "early Spring". We slip - slid along the trail loaded with packed snow & ice. No flowers or wildlife were in sight, although the trails of the deer down to the creek for water were visible at various locations. Limbs & snowdrifts stretched over the creek boasted icicles. After 90 minutes we were chilled through. We drove to the lower meadows of the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge to search for signs of spring & found some: Buttercups, Canadian Geese, a variety of other ducks & a Blue Loon who serenaded us with his mating call.