A SAD TIME FOR US ALL

It is Sad that the BLACKBIRDS have returned to this area. One day last week there was food in my two feeders that my birds were enjoying, and then I saw one or two BLACKBIRDS, whether RUSTY, or BREWERS, they were here too short a time for me to determine. Soon all of the cousins were there as well: the PURPLE GRACKLES, the RED WINGS, the COWBIRDS, and of course, their mates. Always there were only a half-dozen, but in two days, my feeders were stripped bare. Nor are they friendly feeders. Everyone else is pushed out. I especially do not like the COWBIRDS, because I understand they lay their eggs in a small bird's nest. Instinct causes the mom to feed the healthier chick to maintain the species. Ugly, that. I have heard that JAYS do the same thing as well, but have not verified it. It is a Sad time for me because I have determined not to feed BLACKBIRDS.

As I have said before, we are on a flight path for the birds, seeing we are near The River. I used to walk miles up into the woods and saw the BLACKBIRDS, both spring and fall, mass by the thousands in the tops of the tall trees of the woods. In the fall, before they leave, they come down near the river, and mass on the trees here. No, I will not feed them.

Which leaves me with few BIRDS in my garden. The JUNCOS and SPARROWS come scrabbling for what they can find, but the DOVES and JAYS have gone. I hear the CARDINAL'S glorious song, but they only fly through, or sit high up in a tree and sing.

Sad also, is the fact Spring is truly not here. This morning it snowed, not much, but areas a little north of here have quite a bit on the ground, and further west they are grappling with not only snow but floods. We have had mostly rain here. It is cold and dull, with leaden skies--mostly windy.

No, it is a Sad time for us all. When will Spring come?

Ah! I am looking at an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH sitting on my tree outside my window. No doubt he is just passing through, but a good sign, no?

WE ALL REST IN HOPE

Most folk I speak with are hopeful Spring is on its way.

I am unsure what my BIRDS think about all of the NOISE and SEWER WORK going on around here. No doubt THEY feed in the early morning hours when all is quiet and still. I am not up then. I saw a few BIRDS on the weekend when the machines were still and silent. I then had the large feeder re-stocked. When it is nearly empty, a pair of DOVES come, sit, and set up a watch. Hopeful?

I damaged my car by the heavy ruts and large gravel on and around my road as the men worked, AND, they knocked down one of my lovely pine trees. Sigh! I am hopeful the men will soon be finished and gone, and Spring truly on its way. I will be glad when the DYNAMITE blasts are gone as well. After this, the pipes must be laid, the road must be covered....

Spring popped its head out a month ago, then retreated into Rain, Sleet, and more Snow. BUDS are coming out, and BULBS poke their heads up from the ground, but THEY all seem frozen in time. That must be my imagination--or is it hope that things will grow soon.

With such goings on, the GEESE are noticeably absent. They are here, but are playing least in sight. I am in a fly zone. On sunny days I see THEM flying to and from the fields and The River. Surely THEY would hope for quiet days and sunny weather.

Today a TITMOUSE came to my window--in fact, flew against it, as did another. It was unusual, so I got up and watched. The TITMOUSE landed on a branch near the window, and I saw the crest.

Now, there is a Hopeful sigh of Spring!