The Gardener's Friend

Here he comes, the perky robin in his gay red breast --- He perches on the barrow, absolutely self-possessed. . . . Looking for a snack perhaps, his dinner or his tea. But I'm inclined to think he likes a bit of company.

He carries on a conversation, chirping, twittering --- making friendly observations --- idly gossiping . . . And whether it is warm and fine or winter cold and grey --- He comes around to have a chat and pass the time of day.

~ Patience Strong ~

Legend of the First Robin

The Legend of the First Robin

One day, long ago, a little bird in Galilee saw a large crowd gathered around a Man carrying a heavy wooden cross. On the Man's head was a crown made from a thorn branch. The thorns were long a sharp. The little bird saw that the thorns were hurting the Man. It wanted to help Him, so it flew down and took the longest, sharpest thorn in its tine beak. The bird tugged and pulled until the thorn snapped from the branch. Then a strange thing happened. A drop of blood fell onto the bird's breast, staining it bright red. The stain never went away. And so today the robin proudly wears a red breast, because it helped a Man named Jesus...

Author unknown

Morning Walk

A chilly morning. No sunshine and the weatherman says none for a week. But winter provides its own charm and beauty. A walk about the ponds at the park provide many interesting things to see. There's a beaver trail and fresh chew marks on the beavers chosen tree. A great blue heron flies away because he doesn't like being disturbed. And a pheasant creates lots of noise as Lucy, the dog, flushes it out of the woods. A robin looks puffed up in a tree as he tries to keep warm while a blackbird sings its unique song as we walk by. There's ice on the some parts of the pond and ducks in another. Dried grasses and weeds, rushes, and twigs. There's not much color but monochromatic has an interest all its own. Isn't it fun to find objects of interest all around, even on a winter day?

Nature Speaks

We welcomed spring this year with beautiful blue skies and clouds that seemed to speak expressively as they changed formations and reflected light and shadow.  It was a perfect day for a walk along the wildlife refuge trail.  We've been seeing huge flocks of snow geese from our house, and their presence enticed us to go to the refuge waters to see what else was there.  We were not disappointed, as white pelicans, swans, Canadian geese, and a variety of ducks were enjoying the quiet waters of the refuge ponds.  Red-winged blackbirds and robins filled the air with their sweet sounds.  They seemed so expressive and joyful with spring's presence.  It's been a cold winter, and there isn't much new growth yet along the trail.  It will be a few more weeks before dormant plants really believe that spring is here and respond to its warmth.  But even dried grasses and sagebrush have a beauty all their own in their winter state.  A beautiful sunset pleased us as we completed our walk around the wildlife trail loop.  The gentle lap of serene waters and the sounds of birds chirping as they found places to roost for the night were added delight to our senses at the end of a welcome day.  I'm so glad that spring is on its way, aren't you? 

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

A New Note

"There's a new note in the choirs that sing upon the leafless boughs.  There's a new song in the air today --- a song that seems to rouse --- and resurrect the life within, grown cold in winter hours --- Waking all the old sweet dreams --- of blossoms, buds and flowers.  There's a new hope in the world today because of this glad sound.  There's an urgent and an upward thrust of green things in the ground.  There's a new joy in the hearts of men because of this strange note:  this rapturous reveille from some little feathered throat."

~ Patience Strong ~

Riverwalk

Easter week-end and sprouting greenery on hillsides and in fields coincide each year. It was the perfect day for a walk along the river. Although breezy, the weather was pleasant and comfortable. An old railroad bed has been converted into a trail that goes for miles and miles. It was easy walking along the river shore. But before long we couldn't resist leaving the trail to find pathways to the windmill and down to river's edge. There we found a large colony of terns, gathered together in the shallow of the river. Some flew overhead, and others could be seen diligently swooping and circling for fish. Off-shore, two large osprey nests were being constructed by two pair of osprey, large raptors that feed on fish. They were busy building the nests on the tops of tall poles. Although they had to fight against the breeze, their strength was evident as they carried branches and twigs longer than themselves through the sky from a nearby grove of trees. We observed one struggle to get it set on the nest when it missed its mark and the stick fell to the ground. Instead of flying down to get it, the osprey didn't miss a beat and flew off to get another from the distant grove of trees. Spring must be here; many kinds of birds were active today along river's shore.

The picture on the left shows an osprey bringing twigs to its nest. The picture on the top right shows the terns, but they blend in so well with the water, they are difficult to discern. The sagebrush is turning a lovely silver-blue, showing signs of spring growth.

Click on the pictures for a closer look.