There are a few things that happen around our place each year that give us hope for warmer days. Hope is what we need right now. I heard on the radio that we had set a new monthly rainfall record for March with 7.77 inches of rain. That doubles the record set way back in 1957.
But to get back to the signs of spring, there are a few. For one thing, the trilliums start blooming down in the woods. This is an image from last year.
It's been too wet and muddy for me to venture down there yet this year . . . and besides, George wouldn't even consider getting his paws muddy. If you are a regular reader, then you know our woods are filled with crocodiles and dinosaurs and pythons and stuff like that. I couldn't possibly go down there without having my cat to protect me.
But to get back to the signs of spring, there are a few. For one thing, the trilliums start blooming down in the woods. This is an image from last year.
It's been too wet and muddy for me to venture down there yet this year . . . and besides, George wouldn't even consider getting his paws muddy. If you are a regular reader, then you know our woods are filled with crocodiles and dinosaurs and pythons and stuff like that. I couldn't possibly go down there without having my cat to protect me.
Another thing that happens is that we have a flock of swallows that take up residence under the eaves of our roof. I wondered once if they return every year on the same day like the ones in San Juan Capistrano, and I noted that we saw them on April 1st for the first time that year. This year, April 1st has obviously come and gone, and the swallows have not returned so far. I thought I might have heard one on Monday, but it turned out to be a house finch.
So are you curious to know what happened today that inspired me to write this post?
The pheasant is back. When I got up this morning, I spied him under one of the feeders. Later, he had moved to the other feeder. I'm not sure if we get the same pheasant year after year. It could be an offspring. We have seen the female at times, and so I feel relatively certain that they nest around here somewhere. We throw hen scratch out on the driveway for him, and it has the added advantage of attracting quail. We also keep a part of our field "wild," meaning that we leave it unmowed all year. The deer like to bed down there and it's also good for the insects and butterflies. Last year I threw out wildflower seed, and I'm hopeful that the wildflowers will bloom again this year.
It's raining again today. We had one rainless day on Monday (Matthew's birthday). We're promised some warmer weather next week. It sure would be nice. But until then, it's nice to have the pheasant back again. Seeing him brought me some hope for warmer days ahead. Just as I was getting ready to press the "publish" button on this post, I looked out the window. It is snowing. (Big sigh.)
7 comments:
I was able to get out and get some photos today. I got ready to shoot the heron and as usual he flew off the minute I went to shoot, always the way, lol. Great colors on the pheasant.
Debbie
that is a lot of rain. Lovely pictures
We have a nesting pair of pheasant on the side hill too - they occassionally venture under the feeders, if furries aren't around.
I hear you on the rainfall. Our house by the lake is now a house on almost an island, what with all the huge deep puddles in our front yard! We haven't seen the swallows yet either, but the hummingbirds were right on time on St. Patrick's day. Poor little bitty guys must be freezing their tailfeathers off!
I hope that Spring is on the way for you. We've had very pretty weather for the last week. Love the picture of the pheasant.
That is one gorgeous bird. I've seen pheasant as the zoo, but they were brown with super long tails, your's is so beautiful. How long will it hang around and is George O.K. with it?
That pheasant is SO gorgeous!! And what an extraordinary amount of precip! Yikes! Mind you, there are a lot of flowers which love a wet spring. It should be lovely!!
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