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| If Photos had sound, you'd be deafened by the frogs hidden here |
The chain squeaks occasionally as the hammock swing slowly twist. I am sitting on my back porch late in the afternoon of Saint Patrick’s Day. I’m glad for the screen, for it keeps the mosquitoes away. It’s been a warm day and I relax listening to a dozen species of birds sing. I can hear cars on the highway, but that’s the other side of the house and I can’t see them. Occasionally the familiar putt-putt-putt of a Harley Davidson is heard, another sign that spring is at hand. I’ve never own a motorcycle, but if I ever do get one, it’ll be a BMW as I see no need to advertise my presence long before I arrive. Across the field kids are playing outside. They’re a new family who just recently moved in. Two are quite small, and an older girl in a bathing suit with long white legs chases the younger ones down with a squirt gun. Back home this sky would be called “Carolina Blue.” There’s not a cloud in the sky and 30,000 feet up there is a small contrail left behind an east bound jet. I close my eyes and concentrate on the birds and soon fall asleep for a quick doze. All is well in the world except that it’s weird to be outside in shorts and flip-flops this early in the year. It is still astronomical winter and generally I’m shoveling snow this time of the year.
Earlier in the week, I spent some time exploring the Wau Ke Na Preserve near South Haven, over on Lake Michigan. For mid-March, I was amazed at the sound of so many frogs in the ponds nestled in the site. Wau Ke Na means "forest by the water" and is a large tract of land under care of the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.
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| Geese take flight (Wau Ke Na Preserve) |
Always enjoy reports from your world. I've been seeing the nightly news about the super warm weather back there. Here in the desert it was 40 degrees this morning and there was a brief squall of sleet at 1:00. Furnace came on mid-afternoon; fire in the fireplace 2 nights running. The coldest weather we've had all winter.
ReplyDeleteSame same over on this side to Jeff. The downside like you said is the early insect onslaught, a longer season for us is a longer season for them. Of course I am more concerned about the rodents here, it's always a PIA when I see and hear a car that has a sound system that cost more than I could sell my house for.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer a quieter bike but never went that way, there is a benefit to being loud. A pencil held up 1 foot away from your eye totally obscures the bike and rider, the loudness let's an aware driver know there is one somewhere nearby.
Beautiful pic of the Geese. We saw ducks flying off a pond this week on one of our walks.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. And you make everything sound so good :-)
DeleteHow well I remember those leaf-less trees just as Spring arrives!
ReplyDeleteThe growth is about six weeks ahead here. It has taken the farmers on the hop in a big way.
ReplyDeleteWhat hasn't happened all the same, no birds other than the Crows/Rooks are nest building as yet. But they are going nuts laying down territory, it's brilliant to hear.
Yeah. It's been the kind of March for which "Spring Fever" was named.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
6 or 7 days in a row in the 80's here now. Bugs are already getting bad. Having my doubts if we'll have a blackberry winter this year. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I could stand one cool day. Wondering if weather will ever be "normal" again.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that the weather is so warm "up north" - I'm glad you had that lazy hammock time. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Bro!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
J
well intot he 80s here yesterday and supposed to be hot all week...would not mind a bit of time on that porch love all the sounds of nature...think i might go sit on mine for a bit...
ReplyDeletegreat shot too...
It's been very much the same around here.. summer-like weather. Too strange for words, and yet you've summed it up beautifully with yours.
ReplyDeleteOH I love the Carolina blue sky...nothing is much better than it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou truly managed to capture that moment in time for us, on your porch swing - I could all but feel the gentle, warm breeze brush my face!
ReplyDeleteThose frogs must've sounded awesome, you are so blessed to have such a wonderful beauty spot so close to where you live.
Thank you for this entry. It's how I felt this morning when I was awakened by birdsong. A symphony written by a crazed spring fool. Oh. Wait. That might describe me! I know that this mild winter might mean trouble ahead, but for now I think I want to be like you and find a field, focus on the air itself and grab a nap. But not yet. It's only 8:00. (And thank you for your comment.)
ReplyDeleteYup. I admit to a heart-grab at the sight of a group of Harleys. One wild late Spring, I ventured to Laconia, NH for Bikers weekend. I was 20 and so was he. No regrets for that wilding. But then, too, I never cared to go BACK and neither did he. We do, on occasion when we meet at reunions and such, venture a smile or two.
Sounds like you had a great relaxing Saturday afternoon. Spring has come early here. Check out my latest post. It's been close to 80 F here. I liked your last photo.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great relaxing Saturday afternoon. Spring has come early here. Check out my latest post. It's been close to 80 F here. I liked your last photo.
ReplyDeleteNice reflexion of an early Spring day.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was amazed to see a frog leaping in my property and the magnolias have completely blossom. I don't recall anything like this. Enjoy it while it lasts
A well occupied time you had. Nice write and very informative too.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy your thoughts and way of seeing things. I have lots of catching up here, as work and play have kept me tied up! I can't wait to share in my (S) post the rest of the story about that lovely ruins along the Cannon River. Enjoy your weekend and take good care. Check out my Saturday Centus, it's your way of living the dream too, I just know it. Karen
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