Various signs of spring

Spring is slowly flirting her way across the countryside. The red maples are gracing us with a delicate tracery of reddish leaves that will turn deep green before I can turn around. And here at the part of the property that fronts on the county road I'm also discovering other plants that I couldn't identify when they were dormant. The white flowers belong to an elderberry bush.

Having had one leaning across the open door of the drive shed at my former home, I finally recognized the bush when the bunches of tiny white balls began to open - aaaahhhh - elderberry... not that I'll get a chance to pick them and make wine... The birds love these berries and make sure that the bush is picked clean as soon as the berries go from green nobs to red.

 Then there is the nest - snuggled tightly onto the hydro wires that run from the pole near the deck to the barn. Good thing they're turned off is all I can say. I think this is a robin's nest - they usually aren't the most tidy builders and I've seen many a robin chirping away and then listening for worms...what amazing ears they must have to hear those creepycrawlies winding their way just under the surface of the lawn. And the reddish orange leaves of a red maple stand out nicely against the weathered silver barn board. And I've found shells from at least three robin eggs and two from a starling - but that's another story.

 Everywhere, in the grass, among the dried leaves from last fall, in the gardens that are starting to show me what's in them and what's needed, are lovely purple violets... of all flowers, except for trilliums and dog-tooth violets, these to me are the first signs that spring might really be here.

And then there are the birds... these two - a young Baltimore oriole waiting for me to put out some more slices of orange for him - he's not about to eat the pulpy white he's strewn beside himself over the back of the chair, and on the red sunflower seed feeder (a wonderful gift from a friend) a female rose breasted gros beak. The two have partners and also friends. There are now three male rose breasted grosbeaks and two females, and at least two female orioles and two breeding males, with one or maybe two yearlings visiting several times a day. Great fun to watch.

Of course these two join me and love to watch as well. They are lying on a rough, home-made cover to the cellar entrance.

There was once an earthen floor and crawl space down there, with easy access from outside. In more recent years someone changed the house, added the kitchen, put in stairways both up to what must have been a loft 200 years ago, and down to the "basement"  or root cellar and put in a cement floor - which they immediately had to break up in certain spots and put in a drain.... Very damp most of the time, and I imagine filled with water before the drain and broken up cement.... I guess those who did that, didn't know about living on the side of a hill without good drainage around the house.

Even the barn floor was ice-covered this winter, with no animals in the barn and no one parging the beautiful stone worked foundation. It was a hard winter. No wonder spring is taking her time.

And a blue jay drops by to remove the last crumbs of suet and with a loud shriek lets me know that I need to get more. I've learned that orioles like suet as well. They have been hanging onto that particular feeder quite regularly. Who knew?

Finally Spring. Well sort of. Today it's grey and cool and looking like rain, then flashes of sun, then grey... and - well what can I say? Spring is a flirt!

A rainy day

Yesterday morning the day started with clouds of fog blocking the view across the valley, then the rain rolled in and it gently poured onto the area for most of the day. Much needed. The ground as I've said before,  has been like concrete and hard to do any kind of fall preparation. Leaves haven't fallen either, too soon for that and heavy mulching. The nights are cool and feel damp.

But it ended beautifully - the sun came out around 5 p.m. I got into the pond to clean off the pump and empty the filter and get rid of blue algae that is doing its best to clog the pump and filter arteries to say nothing of making it difficult for the fish. Mind you, the water was cold and so I wore my rubber boots, no bare feet and shorts yesterday.

However the setting sun, turned the world to rosy colours - making me stop and catch my breath. Standing to stare as I walked the dogs around the pasture, the clouds were awash with gold and pink, it was quiet, the cattle feeding soundlessly, the occasional call from a bird, but mostly the sun just sank below the horizon without a great deal of fanfare.

And then someone dropped by looking for a late evening snack.

Keeping an eye on me hiding behind the door to try and get a photo, this young female rose breasted gros beak ate several black oil sunflower seeds before flying off towards a nest or a branch for the night.

I've often left this tube feeder out late because of late night snackers - and marvel at the regularity of the birds feeding habits - actually at all animal feeding habits.

The cows come into the pasture across the way in the evening, move to the end, then wander back and down into the valley again through the night, tearing at the grass, the calves bumping heads and frolicking. It happens all summer and fall while they're on the grass.

The sparrows and finches arrive around 9:30 in the morning, the jays shortly after, and then again for a late lunch. It's fascinating how they adjust their internal schedules to the failing light as we get closer to Equinox and fall.

All in order in Nature. Gives me a peaceful feeling.

A mixed bag

The boys have gathered, or a few of them any way. They inhabit the small feeder as if daring anyone else to join them in their conquering of the castle.

This particular rose breasted gros beak is one of two males which I often thought might be a pair, not the usual mated pair, but definitely buddies. Until, that is, I saw them battling over this particular feeder which is really way too small for such large birds. But the two of them until then had occupied it quite peacefully.

Then I noticed two female grosbeaks...aha I thought. The four continue to hang around together and none seem to care that the feeder is very battered. Whether it's the location, or the tray or the amount of seed, it's a favourite.

The goldfinches are three of many males. For a long time it was only males that visited, but now they are joined by a large number of females.

They seem quite comfortable with the larger bird, which also surprises me. The blue jays, redwings, starlings and grackles quickly drive the smaller birds up into the trees, but not these colourful grosbeaks.

Following the various groups of birds throughout their day has become a part of my own habit as I work in the garden or at my computer, do dishes or make food in the kitchen - more often peering out the window than watching what my hands are doing.

And then there are the squirrels and the frogs in the pond... and the fishes who are getting fat on goodness knows what. But those are stories for another day.

This morning is about the grosbeaks and their smaller companions - colourful, regular companions, with beautiful songs to enrich my day.

Sitting on my deck

Yesterday I did not a whole lot of anything, but read and enjoy some time off from the garden and other things that have kept me on the go for a bit.

I had been putting out bird seed two days earlier and was buzzed by a familiar hum. The hummers - or rather a hummer - had returned. As I sat on the deck reading, several birds became quite nervy and moved onto railing or feeder to continue with their meal. The hummer - a little male - finally came in close and sipped at a spot on the feeder where there was a drop of sugar water. As soon as I moved to get the camera, of course it left and perched here in the nearby lilac bushes until I was no longer alert and watching for him. I'll figure out a way to get his glorious red throat in a photograph one day this year...And before long there will be many of them. Females will come, there will be great courting flights - those huge arcing swings that males make around a female they are trying to impress. Eventually there will be babies. For the past few years there has been at least one hummingbird nest in the spruce that leans on the drive shed.

Another brave visitor was this female rose breasted gros beak. She's being faithfully courted by two lovely  males, heart-red Vs on their chests gleaming against their snowy white vests. Such a drab little gal to be attracting so much attention, but she does, and has raised her feathers on her head in a crest to show she's not entirely sure I won't try to grab her.

And then there were three - I know I've posted tons of photos of these little golden sprites that bring me so much joy. They're up in the trees singing and cheering me on throughout the day, always so beautiful. But with the glimpse of spring in the background - the woods along the river and then the other side of the valley with the lovely rosy cast to the maples in the river bush and the softest of spring greens on the hardwoods as you look up the hill, pale against the dark evergreens and browns of yet to leaf others - it's hard not to show you how beautiful it is here right now. The apple tree seen through the deck opening is just beginning to leaf out - blossoms in about two weeks I expect... and all in all - my very very favourite time of year!

If you want to read a beautiful bit of poetry/prose about Spring check out Wild Bill's blog at www.wildramblings.com - he is an ecologist who loves to share his part of the world, and does it beautifully.

I hope you are enjoying this long spring with its gently warming days, light breezes and softest of greens dotted with bits of colour from both birds and bulbs that open daily. And to those of you who are suffering through spring floods, my heart goes out to you with prayers for safety through this dreadful time. It doesn't quite seem fair that I have so much to be joyful about and you who are enduring nature at its most tyrranical must suffer. But such is this crazy world.

A new visitor

It's been a couple of years since a rose-breasted gros beak has visited my feeders. Much to my delight and excitement as I was working away at a writing project, I happened to look out the deck doors for inspiration.

This beautiful bird had it's back to me and being black and white on its back, could have been mistaken for a woodpecker. But the stance was wrong for one of those lively birds that frequent my feeders.

I grabbed my camera and was rewarded with the opportunity to take several photos, this one with the little gold finch who wasn't about to tackle the feeder itself. Several goldfinches flew in and off as this big fellow carefully selected seed after seed, and crunched them in his powerful beak.

What a treat this was on a gray old day in the country. We've been sun-deprived for some time, so all surprises such as this are most welcome.

A warning to friends and readers who don't like snakes, a garter snake surprised me by slipping out from under my feet yesterday as it visited my wee pond and I will be posting it's photograph. It's behaviour was fascinating to me, but I know that some people dislike snakes so don't read tomorrow if you don't like those creatures.

And hopefully tomorrow we might have some sun. Happy May everyone!