days end, dusk descends
Cardinals tsk tsk tsking,
song from the garden
Wednesday morn past I woke to squawking birds at the feeder. This wasn’t normal at 5 am so after dressing I ran to open the patio door thinking it was one of the bloody neighbourhood cats. I stood staring uttering “O Hell no!” and ran out flaying arms and shouting. Well, quietly shooshing as it was early and didn’t want to disturb my neighbours.
Sitting on the feeder platform was the largest raccoon I have ever seen. It stood and glared at me and I glared right back. Slowly it turned and latched onto the tree beside the feeder. I don’t know which one of us was more stunned.
Slowly it crawled its way up to a crook in the tree where it spent hours in the sun on one of the hottest days so far. I did feel for it. Really, just look at that cute face staring down for hours. Doncha feel an awwwww.
It disappeared before noon and though I searched I didn’t find its hidey hole.
Until...while night rose one more look out I found it backing down to the feeder. I was ready for it. The Ultra Super Soaker was locked and loaded. My aim is rather good and after delivering a soaking of water it disappeared into the darkness not to be seen again, at least for now.
Note that the feeder and patio is swept clean every evening and fingers crossed this night visitor will return to the park along the river.
This week I walked my garden taking stock of plants showing life, or not. My eyes looked down and was surprised to see clumps of Crocus in full bloom. Royal purple, buttercup yellow and white greeted me. Though I am unsure where the white ones came from as it is the last “colour” I want to see after months of snow.
My ears perked up to the thrum surrounding my feet. Honeybees! They had woke from winter slumber and were sipping nectar of the Crocus. My heart jumped at this omen. Truly a good omen. I walked around the garden and everywhere there were blooms not just from Crocus but Scillia as well. The tiny blue flowers that are harbingers of Spring were filled with Honeybees. O happy days!
If one looks closely you will find Honeybees sipping from the royal purples. The perfect beginning to Spring in my garden.
robin of red breast
greets new day with joyous song,
slowly spring arrives
Burrowed in worn quilts
as another blizzard
covers the land
in its own natural form
of protection and warmth
3:30 a.m. the watcher stares
out into the neighbourhood.
It is silent, and dark until
a figure appears plodding
along the street.
Another like the watcher
who can’t sleep this night,
walks alone in its own world.
One night the watcher
will join the figure offering a cuppa...
winds roaring through fields
and forests, stripping limbs off
old growth trees, world aches
Ice formed on the river, shore to shore.
Cross country ski tracks appeared for a day.
I shook my head knowing the current
and deaths over the years from ignorance;
and wondered why anyone would dare fate.
One day later, the ice had melted.
Must have been a newbie to town.