After a dull, uninspiring week comes a beautiful Saturday with sun and spring-like tempuratures. We walk along muddy pathways in the park and the immediate impression is bare, monotone, brown. But look again and find colour, life and song bursting from the ground, the trees and the sky.
We walk beside a dead tree, its main branches bare and reaching V-shaped to the sky. A Red-tailed Hawk sits like a perfectly proportioned totem of wood, unmoving, a near invisible extension of the stump, watching us, watching the ground for food.
As of yesterday, the Juncos and Tree Sparrows are gone north and the summer residents of the park stake territories and build their nests. The birds who followed us for food a week ago are scarcely found and even the Chickadees have little time for visiting.
Spring came late and there is much to do now that it is here.
And what should I do first?...
Well, we did a bit if tidying in the garden -- winter debris, plant remains that we didn't cut back last fall. And I got hot and sweaty. It seems like this heat will never end. It's been going on for hours.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth, I happened upon your blog from somewhere else and have enjoyed reading through your posts. Looks like winter is retreating there. Love the Hawk photo!
ReplyDeleteWe've been promised sunshine but for some reason, it alludes us. Still, the temperatures are warm enough and soon we will head out on a walk. Mingus is really into chasing balls now that the snow is gone!
ReplyDeleteMy crocus are blooming. The garden plots have been exposed for a few days now but the rest of the front yard is still under the white stuff. My yard, I fear, tends to be on the shady side.
Glad to know you liked the No. 1 Ladies' DVDs ... I will for sure order them from Chapters/Indigo as I have an on-line credit with them (gift certificates).
The first signs of spring are subtle, but it's definitely here.
ReplyDeleteI agree, much to do!
So much activity.I like the Hawk on the stump.That is an amazing photo.
ReplyDeleteI love your signs of spring and the hawk totem pole.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great spring day. I didn't get a chance to go out and look for birds, but I spent time tidying up the back yard. And taking yard waste to the dump. Felt good, getting my hands dirty in the back yard again, the first of many such days.
ReplyDeleteWonderful signs of springtime!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's nice to feel the warmth of the sun, watch the birds feeding and nesting and flowers popping up.
ReplyDeleteWe still have some remnants of snow in our yard, so a bit too early to get out there and rake or garden. Soon....
What to do first? Exactly what you did...get out and enjoy the beauty. I loved all the photographs but the hawk was especially beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love that chickadee photo! Some times I think dull uninspiring weeks are needed to provide contrast for a beautiful spring weekend.
ReplyDeleteThis pictures are great, but the last one is gorgeous. This Chickadees is very nice.
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