Today is a day for celebration! It is the last full day of winter!!
And yet…I have savored these 13 weeks slowly and thoughtfully as I read one essay a week with Margaret Renkl. It was the most aware winter of my life and I am celebrating every moment of winter as it draws to a close.
But!!
I am also full of excitement to welcome the arrival of spring tomorrow! My hope is that the next 13 weeks as I immerse myself in spring will be as full of delights as the winter weeks were!
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ― Hal Borland
I love this quote from Borland… he has some of the best wisdom as one moves from one season to another. Especially as the “edges” of seasons can overlap each other a bit. I won’t be shocked if winter pushes back on spring a bit and I have loved the spring-like days that have been creeping into winter!
About mid-February, we jumped on the Bird Buddy band wagon and have had loads of fun with it. And while I am contemplating some modifications to deter the bigger birds, thus far it is providing maximum delight! I discovered we have a Titmouse who has a little yellow band… so that is kind of fun! (I also reported my banded bird sighting!) I am laughing out loud at the antics of the Common Grackle! I am not sure there is another bird on the planet (or at least in my backyard) with a better stare down! And although the Bird Buddy has not gotten any woodpecker snaps, they are loving it as well! As does our local squirrel family, of course!
The deer also are enjoying the new feeder… no snaps of them yet either, but I live in hope! Saturday morning, I was delighted to see a ‘trail’ of deer fur across my back yard… they must be shedding for the spring! The birds made short work of it as the morning sun dried the frosty ground… some wee baby birds will have lovely soft nests! Making sure I am taking in all that is around me has opened my eyes to things that probably happened before, but I was not looking for them so I missed out on the wonder and the joy!
Somehow, Margaret Renkl’s wisdom each week astounds me anew (I had previously read The Comfort of Crows) but as I read “Praise Song for a Spring I Was Not Alive to See” I was profoundly struck by how similar her thoughts are with the thoughts of Andri Snær Magnason, as he talks about sitting in the same space with his 94 year old grandmother and his daughter as they contemplate the daughter’s grandchildren and the connection between them all. (I am savoring On Time and Water currently.) The idea that this coming spring is a spring my dearest Nana would have experienced as a young girl… and that someday Vivi’s grandchildren will experience the same spring. (at least that is my hope that there will still be spring in the future.) These are thoughts that fill my heart with deep joy as I contemplate a connectedness that moves beyond time.
And of course, there’s this…
So many birds are singing and singing and singing. — Margaret Renkl, The Comfort of Crows
And there you have a glimpse into my backyard as I bid winter a fond farewell and welcome spring with open arms!
Happy Last Day of Winter everyone!
Your thoughts on future spring — and the wild concept of Vivi’s grandchildren experiencing it — did a number on me when I least expected it! Lump-in-throat. (Guess I was still giggling with those birds!…which is tempting me to ask for a BirdBuddy for my birthday. But I don’t think I’d ever get anything else done?! I’m already so distracted by my feeders.
Love how you describe the overlap of edges. Certainly happening here this week — had to plug in the birds’ heater again!
I am all in for spring season. I enjoyed the warm weather but I am glad it is back to being cold for a while. It was too warm too early too fast, if that makes any sense. I will be walking and shivering knowing that spring is here!!
Spring has never been a favorite season of mine, yet I’ve always enjoyed and anticipated the arrival of Spring – especially since my Mom’s birthday is March 20th. You managed to get some great shots of various birds. How cool to see a banded one! And, I love that you can really see their feet – LOL. I’ve been noticing overlapping edges as well. Interesting how that happens.
What a lovely walk around your backyard! I do like that Hal Borland quote and can heartily recommend his book Twelve Moons of the Year. Vera introduced me to it and it lives next to my bed along with The Comfort of Crows.
I’m also reading The Comfort of Crows week by week and after reading “A Praise Song For Spring…” this morning, I spent a fair amount of time thinking about my Mother. Her birthday was March 21st and she passed away 8 years ago on March 25th. I think about her every day, but especially at this time of year. Spring was her favorite season.
I like how you described overlapping edges, it is a perfect description of this time of year!
Hooray for the official end to winter! Obviously we have had an early arrival of spring, but I am hoping we don’t have any more wintry surprises like we did last weekend. I really do love the Bird Buddy photos — it makes you wonder if the bird know what they’re looking at!
It is indeed fascinating to think of the connections between generations. I can’t remember where I read about this but I often think of the span of years between the oldest family member I knew, my great grandmother Lucy, and the youngest, my granddaughter Norah.
I enjoyed these thoughts about your yard and area. The photos look like all kinds of interesting fun.
Spring for begins in the 20March.. Coincidentally this year my eldest grandson will be16! Love your Bird shots. I’d never heard of a Bird buddy. I shall investigate. I have spent the morning outside today. Cut the grass and started to clear the space I want to plant wild flowers. Exciting !
Welcome spring! I am SO ready! But I did enjoy the slowness of winter this year – with the exception of January because I think that lasted 3 years in and of itself! Thanks for sharing your bird buddy postcards, you’ve inspired me to do the same for a future blog post.
We’ve seen a bit of “nesting” fluff here & there. Yay spring! I made a strong suggestion that a Bird Buddy would make an excellent Mothers Day gift… we’ll see!!