And Then Spring Whispered

John Steinbeck wrote “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” Well . . . this year, warm weather will be mighty sweet!

Enter the Lion

Winter keeps knocking at the door. From the early December grey chill to the many subzero temperatures mid-winter to the late snow this spring, we have endured a very long and very cold winter. March arrived like a lion with biting winds and the coldest temperatures on record since 1879! Most folks around here are aching for the spring warmth and sunshine to come once again. But sometimes the wait is all the sweeter. This is what we woke up to on St. Patrick’s Day!

It was one of the most beautiful snowfalls we’ve had this winter season. The flakes of snow were gigantic and they quickly covered every twig. Our walk in the soft morning light was magical as Oliver and I hiked the familiar paths. Where we have trekked a hundred times before was now transformed into a new shimmering wonderland! I think Oliver would have enjoyed Narnia’s “forever winter.” He never grows tired of it and turns into a exuberant puppy with every new snowfall. If this was only for him, it was worth it.

Later that same day, with the sun peeking out, the snow left as quickly as it came. Though it was not a welcomed sight at first, I was sad to see the sparkling white beauty fade to dull brown so quickly. The old passes and new things must come. See you next year, ole Man Winter.

New discoveries

I stopped by the local nature preserve to see what migratory birds may have found their way to our area. I was delighted to find and add several new waterfowl to my repertoire.

Pictured below in the front (no pun intended) are White-fronted geese (with the orange legs and feet). Having never seen one in person, I expected them to have a large white breast (aka “front”). This is, again, one of those names that I don’t get. Where’s the white?? Even in the Peterson’s Field Guide these birds are pretty much dark grey from head to tail. If the scientist naming these was referring to the discreet ring around the bill, a better name would’ve been White-ringed Goose.

Personally I would’ve given them the moniker “Orange-footed Goose,” but maybe for a bird that spends 95% of its time sitting on the water, naming them after their feet is not a good idea. I can see frustrated birders like me yelling “I can’t see their feet! Are they Orange-Footed or not?” By the way, there were hundreds of these geese and as you can imagine, all talking at once.

The Introverted Cousins

Canada Geese were a little shy and much quieter. They saved their talking until they took to the sky. They flew in perfect formation like the Blue Angels and seemed to know just when and where to land. “Head for the open spot at 2 o’clock!” they called. Canadians have better manners too, taking turns honking.

Here was another new discovery! An otter! Technically, a North American River Otter. It was actually somewhat of a surprise to see him (or her) out in the middle of the day. They tend to be night hunters feeding on fish, frogs, salamanders, crayfish and turtles. This one was on a mission so I wondered what he was after. The females have 1-6 pups in a den tunneled into the bank of a river or lake and the males do not help with the parenting. Otters stay active all winter using small air holes in the ice to surface to breathe but can stay under water for up to 8 minutes!

Wild swans are a strange concept for me. As a child, I only saw them at the zoo, at a park or as “ornaments” on a wealthy person’s lakeside property with their wings clipped. Aren’t they so graceful and lovely?? Looks can be deceiving. From personal experience, I can say there are 2 animals I give a wide berth: moose and swans. One word: UNPREDICTABLE and MEAN as a rattlesnake. Well, that’s 2 words but you get the point. Trust me.

Below: Caption contest! Go for it. 🙂

Old Favorites

If I had to pick a favorite songbird, it would probably be the wren. They are so inquisitive, intelligent, sweet sounding and just plain cute. House wrens tend to be more comfortable nesting with people around, often times on porches and above light fixtures. Carolina wrens, like the one pictured below, are more shy. I have several that come to the feeder but they tend to nest away from the house, usually in the bluebird box by the barn. This little guy in the woods was poking around near the ground, investigating every nook and cranny of the downed timber for emerging spring bugs.

I also have a sweet spot for donkeys. I was raised on one . . . literally. Even though I begged my parents for a horse, they either couldn’t afford one or thought I wasn’t old enough for one at the time. So we “started” off with a mare donkey, Carmelita, and her mischievous colt, Pedro. We never did “graduate” to horses so I spent my teen years enjoying the comedy of donkeys and mad as a hen at their stubbornness. Boy do I have stories. Humor me as I mention just one: Pedro chased my cousin’s herd of cattle down the road. Let’s say that story ends with an Irishman’s temper, multiple trips with a cattle trailer and a slew of neighbors to help round up the strays. Pedro was Laurel and Hardy combined in one brain. If anything could go wrong, it did with him around.

Guard “dog”

This bossy girl considered it her duty to guard the cattle and let the “neighborhood” know something was a’foot with a lady hiding behind a camera. She’s braying her message loud and clear in this photo. I had to laugh remembering that sound from 40+ years ago. Little does she know she made my day.

Below: “Now don’t worry, everyone. Stand back. I’ve got this under control. This crazy, laughing lady won’t get passed me!”

Just the facts, Ma’am

I can’t go without giving you an Oliver update: there is an APB out on all moles in the area and Officer Oliver is on the case! He thinks he can hear their secret location and thinks he has the criminals in sight. He will take all prisoners into custody, dead or alive. Dead bodies will be used as cologne to roll in – we don’t waste good cologne around the ranch. Any damage to the yard or flowerbeds is not the responsibility of Pest Control.

“I’ll sniff out that wily rascal!”

A whisper of spring

Yes spring will come as it always does. There is more evidence of it than you may think. Take your own adventure to the park, to the nature preserve, to the backyard and see what you can find. It’s just whispering now but it will become louder in no time at all.

My parting shot is one of my most favorite. It’s a Tufted Titmouse with BIG personality! He seemed to know the camera was on. He struck a pose and wasn’t bashful about it. Cheeky little guy. Love it, don’t you?

I really enjoy reading your comments so leave me something, won’t you?

Happy Spring and Catch ya later,

Carolyn

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