Nature Notes

Much of the Snow has melted, but some still remains. The Land is wet and soggy. I am reminded that many Prairie Seeds need a combination of wet, freezing, and thawing to crack their tough shells and germinate. They surely must be getting exactly what they need.

Richard and I went for a walk this evening. It was the 1st time I have walked the loop around the Farm in probably a month. The Snow had been too deep and hard for me to travel easily and safely. So I just waited until now.

We heard Geese in motion just about everywhere we walked. Some were in view. They were moving. That unknown switch that says "It's Spring" has flipped. They are eager. They are intent. There is no stopping them.

We saw many flocks of Blackbirds, of 100 or more each. Richard said they were likely Red Winged Blackbirds and Brewer's Blackbirds. He is not sure, but they often travel together. They seemed to be flying just above the Tree Tops. They were flying in their flocks which were continually in motion. We could hear the Wind in their Feathers and their "Flock Calls". Richard says "Flock Calls" help determine their position in a Flock so they are not flying into each other. Now that would be important. I had never thought of that. I am surely a better Creature walking on the Ground than Flying through the Air.

We saw Ducks. A Killdeer was calling overhead. Richard noted that Robins were perched in Trees. Their Spring Calls were evident. We will hear that lovely sound into July.

A pair of Bluebirds were looking seriously at one of the Bluebird Houses that our Neighbor gave us last year. All of Nature seems intent on the Miracle of Life.