Seasonal shifts

Near sunset yesterday

As I sat outside yesterday evening watching the storm clouds move through, I had to keep reminding myself that it’s still February.  Technically, it’s winter.  In case you’re wondering, this is what it looked like last year on this date.

Starling high society

The same thoughts held true this morning as I took my walk around the pond and back into the woods.  I heard spring peepers this morning.  Spring peepers in February!  Don’t they know it’s supposed to snow this weekend?  What are they thinking, rousing this early in the season?

A clearing

I can only assume Mother Nature has a reason for waking everyone up early this year.

The last of the winter pansies. (See the tulip coming up in the background?)

The surest sign of spring was making himself known yesterday evening and this morning.  The red-winged blackbirds are back.  I know most people associate robins with the first sign of spring.  Robins don’t always migrate and we do tend to see them every now and then throughout the winter months.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds website has this to say about the red-winged blackbirds:

In the North, their early arrival and tumbling song are happy indications of the return of spring.

So I guess that makes it official.  Spring has arrived in spirit if not on the calendar.

These cheerful little fellows have been trying to tell me for over a week now that spring is here whether I believe it or not.  I think they’re a tad insulted that I chose to believe the red-winged blackbird’s return over their message.  In my defense, the crocuses have been known to show their happy faces a little too early from time to time.

Pussy willow opening and reaching for the sky

It’s a beautiful day for a walk.  The birds are serenading the earth and sky.  The sun is shining and warming things up to a lovely 50 degrees.  I even heard the buzz of insects although I’m not sure if they were flies or bees.  Flies, I expect.

Today's view of the pond

The fish are active, rippling around the pond.  No sign of the turtles, frogs, or snakes just yet.

The dried flowers and grasses in the meadows are looking prettier than usual.  Perhaps they’re showing off, letting Spring know that there is beauty in Winter too.

Yes, it’s a very good day for a walk.  Thank you so much for joining me.  It’s nice to have company as I meander along the trails to see what’s happening around the pond.

Keep knocking and the joy inside will
eventually open a window and look
out to see who is there.

~ Rumi

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