You never know what lies ahead in the spring. Around the neighborhood, people with broken magnolias have chosen not to remove branches that are still in any way attached to the trees. Massive limbs resting on the ground are in full glorious bloom—bloody, but unbowed, to use Henley’s words. Who knows what the owners will… Continue reading Blossoms, Birds, and Quarters
Tag: Birds
Geese, an Eagle, and a Great Library
While walking the dog on Monday morning, I traced a persistent honking sound to a lone Canada goose. Which was standing on the pitched roof of a two-story house. This is strange enough that I stopped a bit to look. As I watched, a second goose joined the first one, stretched out its long neck,… Continue reading Geese, an Eagle, and a Great Library
Maneuvering
If any season of the year feels like it speeds along, it’s this one between Thanksgiving and the end-of-year holidays. Days are short, activities plentiful, and to-do lists long. It feels like we all have a lot of balls in the air. At our friend Pat’s house, more than balls are in the air. … Continue reading Maneuvering
Winter Surprises
There are aspects of winter that Michiganders can count on. Snow. Cold. Ice. Grey days. Days so bright and beautiful they fill you with awe. These are givens. There are also surprises. Early this winter, for example, as the dog and I set out on a morning walk, we noticed two Vs of birds… Continue reading Winter Surprises
Officially Fall
When the weather is really hot, a flock of cedar waxwings likes to fly through the spray of a fountain near here. They are no doubt feeding on the wing, but they look like they’re playing. The fountain, an aerator in a retention pond, shoots water fifteen feet or so up into the air, and… Continue reading Officially Fall
Early Autumn
The birds around here have been putting on a show. Red-bellied woodpeckers—mom, dad, and junior—have been going house to house pecking on roofs and siding. Their hearts aren’t in it, though, and the birds are gorgeous, so folks don’t mind. Our back yard is full of drama, both within and between species. Flickers, blue jays,… Continue reading Early Autumn
Raucous Ruckus
There are three birdbaths in the back yard, and we hadn’t seen much action at any of them this summer. That changed Tuesday afternoon, when the big one with the Water Wiggler suddenly became the place to be. It was robin versus starling out there. Also, starling versus starling and, apparently, starling versus birdbath. … Continue reading Raucous Ruckus
A Good Week for Ice and Snow
It was busy on and around the pond this morning. On our way to the easement, dog and I saw three adults peering up into an evergreen, the man pointing with his whole arm extended, the women trying to see what he was seeing. All were intent, concentrating hard. The object of their scrutiny… Continue reading A Good Week for Ice and Snow