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Winter Dead
Robin’s song is crystal clear
“Robin’s Song,” E.L.M. King
Cold as an icicle,
Sharp as a spear.
I have seen Spring lift her head,
Snowdrops a-shivering,
Winter dead.
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Out the Window
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Sapsucker Spring
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Morning
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Crocuses!
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Coaxing Spring
You can feel the chill in these photos of bluebirds, beaver-ravaged landscapes and ingeniously dammed streams, bare branches waiting for their spring clothing, busy salamanders scooting under and over the dead leaves choking cold pools.
But spring is in the works. The salamanders prove it. But you can feel a certain yearning in the sun and air for late winter to release its grip and let the growing season burst forth.
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Late February, Late Afternoon
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What do they put in this stuff?
Along with the bluebirds, pileated woodpeckers have shown an interest in the suet this year. We had one come once or twice years ago, but this one — part of a family of the majestic birds that frequent the dead ash trees out back — seems quite interested.
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Bluebirds?
We’ve seen bluebirds very rarely in the 24 years we’ve lived here. For some reason, this year we’ve had 3 or 4 pairs take up residence over the last several weeks, eating at the bird feeder. I thought you needed mealworms to attract these lovely creatures, but it seems peanut flavored suet is enough.
The bluebird is New York’s state bird. I so enjoy these small, fluffy bursts of color in an otherwise drab setting.
My daughter took the picture above, as well as this next one:
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Late winter, or early spring?
It was an exercise in perspective in the woods yesterday. On the one hand, there was no new growth, and very few birds around. But on the other hand, it was well above freezing… though whether in the high 40s or low 50s, I’m not sure.
Still, last week, it looked like this:
So I’ve decided to go with early spring.
Not far in, we came upon a large bird blind that suggested what it might be like to be put in the stocks.
The light created contrasts of all kinds and gave this grove an enchanted feel.
I’ve never noticed quite so much debris from the spruces on the forest floor — “evergreen,” though no longer attached to the trees.
Inviting benches were scattered at various points…
…and chilly looking streams.
Though we didn’t see much, venturing out, stopping now and then to listen, and remembering the many previous walks on these trails brought the usual nourishment. It may not be spring proper yet, but the sense of breaking out of my indoor habits of mind and body felt wonderful. And those bits of green moss on rocks and stumps foreshadow the burst of spring growth that’s drawing nearer with each passing, lengthening day.
