Harbinger of Spring

[ccrawford]

Each year about this time of year, we are thrilled to hear the trilling calls of the Sandhill Cranes and to see them high in the sky in their formations as they wing their way north to their arctic breeding grounds. It's always a topic of conversation and we feel fortunate to live on their flyway. This year, a couple of days ago, I had a real treat. I was on my way down the hill to the lake and my workshop, and noticed something abnormal on the east side of the lake. To my amazement, there was a flock of about 30 sandhills taking a short rest. This was the first time we had seen them land on the farm. Their rest was short lived as Sophie, my Brittany, also noticed them and started to bark. They arose and proceeded northward. Now I know we're gonna have some spring. Chris

 

[Ross]

I think you should become a poet on the beauty of the earth or nature.

I killed a giant Yellow Jacket on my kitchen wall today. Does that count as an indication of spring?

 

[Nancy]

Just got back from an hour long walk with Harriet (our Shih Tzu). It was gorgeous and 50 degrees. Now if the 3 feet of snow would melt, it might really feel like spring.

An added bonus, I found 3 beat-up pennies which had obviously been under the ice all winter. So I feel lucky. I told Joe about my find, he wants to fight me for them. He loves "found money", well, actually, so do I.

 

[hensylee]

we don't have beautiful cranes - but we have crows. And they're headin your way by the hundreds per bunch. Noisy little fellas. Expect them any day now.

 

[Granbonny]

Nancy

Nancy

NEVER pick up a penny unless they are heads up Unlucky to pick one up with tails up Ann Crows never leave my house. They call all relatives to come for food. Look..birdfeed. But Rufus, the cat..keeps them away. Bonnie

 

[hensylee]

Bon - I have a dogwood right outside my porch - did you know that year round the birds can feed off the dogwood trees. That's one reason they should not be pruned. Used to feed but now I don't. We also have squirrels everywhere and they gather food constantly, from the oaks, I guess. They have nests in the trees. Tease the cats and chatter at them. Drives the cats nuts because they can't catch them. Miss SS tried for some time to catch one, but she'd reach the base of the tree and the squirrel was way up yonder, chattering at her.

Crows - I haven't heard any this winter, but right now they are everywhere, calling each other.

See a penny, pick it up
Put it in your shoe and all day have good luck.

 

[Harpoon]

Was supposed to be 50 something around here but because of a stiff breeze coming off the nearly frozen lake it was closer to 40 something...


You could go inland (which I did for an assignment today) but then I had to put up with second-hand smoke....


Can't win.


At least the streets were dry and I didn't have to climb over a pile of snow to get from the street to the curb after parking the car.


Come to think of it, I didn't have to clear 2 inches of snow off the car every time I got in to drive somewhere today, that's always a good thing.

 

[Raverlaw]

Chris,

The cranes sound really cool. Around here the major harbinger of spring is a fine coating of yellow pollen from the pines. It gets on everything and stays there until it rains, when we have yellow water sluicing off the roof.

And then shortly after come the does with their fawns and the momma 'coons with their little tribes. But first we always see the yellow pine dust.

 

[LoriSue]

I also think spring may be closing in. I just got back today from spending a wonderful 24 hours on the Washington State coast. It is a nice 1 1/2 hours away from my home, just enough to get away but yet not so far that I am too tired when I get there. Rented a nice condo overnight and spent the evening hours listening to the roar of the ocean. It seems to soothe my homesickness for Lake Michigan when I feel down. The weather was pleasant (high 50's) and an occasional moment of sunshine here and there. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Maybe when I have a new valve my feet won't be so swollen and I can take a stroll down the beach like I used to as a kid without the constant pressure of the elastic from my socks digging into my skin. LOL. For now I will settle with appreciating the solitude and peace along a western washington coastline on a very rare day of no rain.

Best to all,
Lori

 

[hensylee]

Bill - you mean our pine pollen has floated all the way over yonder? Imagine how much of it we inhale every time we go outside.

Possums are out here already - saw a carcass on the road t'other day. Armadilloes are pokin holes in the yard, too. Must be spring.

 

[Jean]

Chris, just saw my first sandhill cranes yesterday. They are so neat. I look out my pasture-side window and see them out in the middle pasture . First time I thought it was a person. They are so big!

Also noticing the willows are turning greenish yellow. There'll be more winter, but spring is getting her toe in the door.

 

[Granbonny]

My Bear

My Bear

My bear, Zeke...should be coming up soon from down yonder....where he lives in the winter.......He was here before we moved in..6 years ago....We were told..a bear lives in your woods..down there. I laughed..and then the first spring when I walked outside to look around..there he stood.. He came back looking for birdseed....Every year..he is in my yard...when I had VR...my hubby cooked a meatloaf one evening. I had just moved out of living room into bedroom. Around 2 a.m. dog started barking..Zeke had pushed the front door open Hubby did not have it shut good....dog barking..me screaming..hubby walked to door. dog barking..Zeke rambling off front porch.. Next door neighbor down road..said she was awaken with him carrying off her container of birdfeed. ...I have many pictures of him.. Big old black bear..He was here before we came. so..I have had many times in last 5 years..where I meet up with him..I say, scat He walks slowly away. Looking for Zeke anyday now. I have the sign..Bear Crossing in my driveway..and my house is full of bears..People give them to me. Hubby says..it was his meatloaf that he wanted to come inside for. So, when Im see Zeke..Spring is here. bonnie

 

[Nancy]

So what's your husband's secret recipe?? I mean, if Zeke can smell it from far away, it must be some good meatloaf.

Do tell.

 

[ccrawford]

Know how to tell a buzzard from a bald eagle ? The Bald Eagle has his feathers all brushed to one side. No seriously - the buzzard flies with a dihedral to his wings (wings in a vee) whereas the eagles wings are straight accross. (and the eagle is usually flying much higher.

 

[Granbonny]

We were sitting on our neighbors porch early this afternoon..enjoying the warm..sunny weather And Rufus, our huge black cat, that thinks he own's their house across the road from us. They will be moving up full time after this school year. (wife is a teacher)......so I noticed Rufus going off and called him back. A few minutes later. we heard this awful bird sound. My neighbor said it was a Hawk...so she and I walk out into the road and there above us..we saw this huge hawk..way up above us. I thought he had picked Rufus up. They all were laughing about how fat Rufus was and they didn't think the hawk had him But, I called and Rufus wouldn't come and I got real nervous..finally after a few minutes, he came wandering out of the woods. I still think the Hawk was after him I know they can sweep up a rabbit real fast.I need to keep an eye out for him now..the foxes may show up, too. But, if I don't let him out..he lays on top of my computer so I cannot move the mouse. and will bite me until I get up and let him out. We cleaned out the fishpond. They were so happy to have clear water..and eating up a storm. I have 4 goldfish..Their names are Hootie and the Blowfish. I bought Hootie at Wal-Mart 4 years ago and now he is the size of my hand. Oh...so happy..Spring has Sprung. Bonnie

 

[Rush20]

I love spring. Today it was 63 degrees, sunny and the smell of spring was in the air. Tomorrow, it's supposed to be 31 degrees, grey and rainy. I love Chicago!

 

[hensylee]

Bonnie - vet told me to watch chihuahuas outside because the hawks think they are rabbits (big ears). I don't know if the hawk could pick up the cat, but it could surely do harm with its talons.

My Penelope sits on my computer so I bought one of those shelves to put on top of the computer - that's her spot and she sits there while I compute. And yep, when she wants something bad enough, she will nip and then bite if I don't move as fast as she wants me to. She's the only one of our (4) cats who does this. They own us, don't they?

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Apparently, in other parts of the country, there is a phenomenon known as "sunshine."

Yesterday, something very odd happened. The clouds that normally cover the sky from horizon to horizon were not there. Instead, there was a vivid blue effect and a really, and I mean REALLY bright thing that hurt my eyes when I looked at it. One of my neighbors told me it was called "the sun."

I think the birds must have been scared of it because they came out of the trees and were tweeting a lot.

 

[Nancy]

Well, I'm preparing to plant seeds under lights in the basement. Cleaning it up today to get ready. To heck with what's outside. It'll be spring down there. Then if the ground ever warms up, I'll be able to plant them. Last year quite a few of them were blooming under the lights before I was able to put them in the ground.