Nature Notes

Juncos, which are our Winter Companions, are almost all gone. We had noted heightened activity and song among them earlier last week. Richard suspected they were getting ready to head North and were in fact saying Good-Bye to their Human Friends. We wished them well for their Journeys over the coming Seasons.

Song Sparrows have arrived. Chipping Sparrows have arrived. Meadow Larks are back. Mourning Doves are cooing. Great Blue Herons got back. We are seeing more Turkey Vultures. Richard saw a Rough Legged Hawk coming through.

The Migration of Geese has mostly moved through. We did not see as many this year. We now see Canadas in Pairs which indicates courtship and nesting behavior. They are settling in. This land is their home too.

The Chorus Frogs and Spring Peepers are in full symphony on just about every little puddle in low lying areas. And they are loud. We Humans smile.

Chickens are migrating past their fences. They are also producing more Eggs; Melanie notes the lights are still on for a short amount of time. No Hennies have gone Broody. Yet.

We 3 C's are watching the Ground carefully to see what is emerging. The Mints, Garlic, Chamomile, Anise Hyssop, Yarrow, Sweet Grass are all up. Mother's Peony made it through the Winter. The Pussy Willows are breaking through their little "husks". Earthworms are everywhere. Daffodils are poking through.

With all the Snow and Rain we've had, we now have Spring Mud everywhere. The Drive is soft. We are grateful we had a load of rock put on it late last fall; we will probably do that again this Spring. Our Neighbors to the South planted Greens today. We 3 C's need to focus on creating more raised Beds so that we can get into the Garden earlier.

Taxes are done. Does that count? Mother Nature would probably shake her head and laugh. For the Humans in a tightly constructed Human World, it surely is another marker of early Spring.