Early Spring

The Crocus are making their annual appearance in my garden right now. Very pretty.

The Fat Lady

I've seen robins, starlings and red-winged blackbirds. The eagles are flying as well as the Canadian geese and the Snow geese. But spring isn't really here until the toads sing. They are the equivalant of the "Fat Lady".

Today was a lovely 65° and after work I went out to get some work done in the garden. Instead I mostly chatted with the neighbor. The socializing was much needed. But after we were finished, I took a can of garden depris to the compost bin and I heard in the background that noise that I've been waiting to hear. It came from the run-off pond beyond the rear of my property and I smiled. Spring had definitely sprung with the song of the toads. Or should I say, "The Fat Lady Sang."

More Migration

Besides the thousands of geese I saw overhead today, I went outside to cook dinner. Nice day, dinner outside. What can I say. Low and behold, there were the red-winged blackbirds, back from their winter roost. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Birds/ForestAndField/RedWingedBlackbirdCallingFromBullrush.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/Birds/ForestAndField/index.html&h=768&w=1024&sz=128&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=VJYrrEh-fqVK4M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dred%2Bwinged%2Bblackbirds%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

Another sure sign of spring. I am soooo ready.

Migration

A small part of the Susquehanna River at the Safe Harbor Hydro Plant in Safe Harbor, PA.

If you are into Wow! factors, the Canadian geese are flying overhead this morning, about 10,000 head strong per flock. They should continue to fly overhead in these numbers for about a week bringing with them - spring.

If you really want a thrill, be crossing the Susquehanna River this time of day, this time of year. The geese are just getting started on their day's journey and are flying in flocks 10 times this size and are really low! Millions of them. They will actually make you duck inside your car, they are so low. It is one of the more humbling sights of nature.

Last week the Snow geese went overhead. They don't fly in such large flocks, their sound is slightly different and the black tips of their wings stand out against their white bodies. The Snow geese come first in fewer numbers, then the Canadian geese.

I've noticed that the Black-eyed Juncos are much more active. My guess is, they will be leaving in the next couple of weeks for more cooler temps. We should be getting into the high 50s or low 60s by the end of the weekend. I need to start getting into the garden. It's time to transplant and prepare for the early crops.

Shalimar

I got home from work last evening and as usual, Bratley was by the door waiting to greet me. Always a nice thing. Then Shalimar came running up but she was noticably in distress. She was choking. Her inability to breath was alarming and I started screaming at Husband asking how long she had been in this condition. He came running out telling me he hadn't noticed any problems with her until now.

I called the vet wanting an immediate appointment. They offered one at 9:30 the next morning. My response was "How about NOW?" I told them I was bringing her in, she was in extreme distress and I'd be there in 20 minutes.

Shalimar has a cold which appeared to stimulate her asthma. Now, no medication for both the cold and the asthma she is doing much better. She will be on medication for the next 10 days. Hopefully this doesn't happen to often. She scared me half to death.