So far this morning: Four deer were munching on the grass right outside the kitchen window, the wren has been singing and working diligently on the nest since at least 6 am, two robins were fighting, four cardinals – two male, two female – were in the big garden bed, Canada geese flew overhead, I saw (and heard) two mourning doves, and we had our first groundhog sighting.
I knew we had one living under the shed, as all the entrances and exits were free of leaves. He’d been doing some spring cleaning. Don’t know whether this is the same one that was living here last year or a new guy/girl, so we have no name yet. Last year’s was named Shifty, if you remember. We’ll watch and observe.
A little darker this morning as we’re going to have rain the rest of the day and tomorrow. It hasn’t started yet. He’s still nest-building – I just saw him through the den window.
The little tree next to the catalpa is in bud. I just noticed that this morning.
Better than any television show or movie, this is. My heart is full. I told Don that I realize that I was unconsciously ‘holding’ myself during the winter months and that I feel more open now. He said, sure, you were contracted and now you’re expansive. Exactly. No more unconscious contracting, now I’m consciously expanding. I love living here. It’s like we’re living on our own little nature preserve. The maples are starting to get small buds, as are the other trees. The last to leaf out will be the catalpa.
Grateful on this Sunday morning.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
I know exactly what you mean and Don’s wording is perfect.
Happy Spring!
Thank you, Marilyn!
Stay safe!
what a great start to your day … so much flora and fauna … so happy for you!
more beautiful photos, too. thanks! could you tell if that’s shifty by comparing markings with an earlier photo? not a request … just thinking that photo is so clear. i hope for you, don and shifty that it’s shifty!
and i always love the color of the shed.
agree with you and don. like probably everyone but the “it’s a hoax” believers, for the past fourteen months i’ve been tense, always on guard, emotionally (and for many months physically) braced for something else bad to happen. and now it’s spring … spring-with-vaccines, a sign that life still has beauty, renewal and (ahead) some ease. very much welcomed and appreciated.
happy sunday. stay safe!
kathy in iowa
No, not really. Most groundhogs look very much alike! The only difference is when they really get old and gray, as Henry did.
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe!
How wonderful! The sights and sounds, the colors, the activity, the building for the summer…the best parts of life in a nutshell. It was up to 80+ yesterday–I turned on the house A/C! But I took a little drive and my soul was lifted by the bursts of forsythia and some pink trees and even a few apricot tulips. So glad your groundhog is back. Wondering how you will determine if it is Shifty? :-). Happy for you.
Isn’t it great to see trees and bushes blooming?
I don’t think we’ll be able to tell if it’s Shifty. I hope it is, but we’ll see!
Stay safe, Nora.
Loving all of the natural world unveiling to you today.
Our landscape is more barren – the gardener cleared out a lot of dead and dying plants and weeds (which, in another lifetime, would have been grass gone to seed). Now it’s much more obvious we are into the drought part of the year. There are underground streams which somehow keep a few plants going, such as our cherry tree that came from a compost pile dumped more than 30 years ago.
Last night I had my first COVID dream – I’m rushing into the store searching for batteries [?? don’t ask], suddenly I realize I don’t have my mask on — I look around — no one has their mask on!!
I ask someone nearby if this is ok and they nod ‘yes.’ I’m aghast and I woke up.
What can this mean???
Hoping the rain brings more expansion of joy.
I’ve had at least one COVID dream and it was much the same as yours. I realized I didn’t have a mask on and also that no one had a mask on. Scary!
Stay safe, Martha!
Spring has sprung!! There IS light at the end of the tunnel, Claudia!! enjoy it all!
Thank you, Priscilla!
Stay safe!
You do get a lot of nature in your yard! Enjoy!
I will.
Stay safe, Ellen!
Your happiness is infectious, Claudia! (In the best way…)
Thank you, Vicki!
Stay safe.
Oh, sweet Spring!! Hope IS in the air. AND….. we get to babysit that little one all day tomorrow. I am sure once she is home, we will be sound asleep in our chairs before 7PM, but it will be a fun day as we are walking now. :-)
Oh have fun with your little grandbaby! Exhausting, maybe, but oh so worth it!
Stay safe, Chris.
Expanding! What a wonderful way to describe what it feels like to come out of a pandemic. It’s also a great word to describe leaving the hibernation of winter and the anticipation of Spring.
It sure is!
Thanks, Beth!
Stay safe.
As an Aussie we are used to very difficult animals, of course. We saw our first groundhog way up in the Yukon and were absolutely enchanted. You are so lucky to have one of these little critters so close!
Aren’t they wonderful? They’re vegetarians (and sometimes my garden suffers for it) but they’re shy and sweet and non-aggressive.
Stay safe, Denise.