Signs

[vaneramos]

It was a chilly, rainy day, but at last we have some sure signs of spring here in Guelph. When I spotted the first crocus on Kingsmill Avenue I let out a gasp of relief.





Even more exciting, fluttering through low branches along the river was an Eastern phoebe. It's a drab little bird, but a delight to my eyes, because it's one of the first migrant songbirds to return in spring. It's an even surer sign than the American robin, which has begun wintering in Ontario where conditions are favourable. The phoebe didn't mind the rain. It's a flycatcher, with a characteristic hovering flight when it's feeding. What insects it could find in such cold drizzle, I don't know. It knows what it's doing, and I'm glad it's back.

Canada geese




From the window of the bus yesterday I also saw turkey vultures soaring over Highway 401.

Comments

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, just a thought. Too bad I can't photograph these little creatures. I did get a fuzzy picture of a chickadee this winter, but they're the boldest songbirds we have. Hopefully I'll have the right camera/lens for this kind of thing someday.

Do you have phoebes?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Aha, very lovely! It is named for its nasal song, an anxious fee-blee. Plain though they are, they're one of my favourite birds. A pair usually builds a nest of mud and leaves under the eaves of our cottage every summer. Always welcome in mosquito country.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

such a beautiful burst of blue there. nice! welcome, springtime. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Welcome indeed! And a nice time for Gerry to be recovering from chemo et al. It will be a slow spring, but I bet things will be back nearly to the way they were a year from now. This time last year is when Mom had her last chemo treatment.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

oh, thank you for saying this! he's tired this morning (today is the very last treatment, later this afternoon). within a week he'll begin to rally, but i'm sure it will be gradual, the getting back to normalcy. we lost thanksgiving and christmas this winter. next year should be much better. :)

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Wow, someone else who gasps and exclaims over the sighting of the humble crocus.

I practically fell to my knees and wept when I came upon a yard full of them last Saturday.

hugs, Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Believe me, I was feeling a little choked up, too. :-)