Lake News
It’s starting very subtly, something that could easily be missed. The other day when I went out to do some errands, I noticed it. That bright winter’s day was filled with the sounds of birds, albeit winter residents, but birds nonetheless. There was the plaintive cry of the chickadee and the melodious call of the cardinal. I hadn’t realized how much I missed them until that morning. I guess it wasn’t only me missing the birds. My cat, Sophie, was also excited to see the return of the finches, fluttering around on the deck.
The ducks and geese are also making a reappearance. Not that they’ve left the area, but rather have sought out the few remaining patches of open water that didn’t include our shoreline. Melting snow waters are flowing fast down our creek to the lake, threatening to flood the backyard. The bits of water on the ice have attracted the waterfowl back.
There’s sure to be a bit of cabin fever raging this weekend as temperatures are supposed to be approaching the 50s this weekend. The snow will probably be history afterward. These late winter/early spring warm-ups usher in a time of brown landscapes. The absence of the greens is keenly felt and it will seem like forever before the landscape takes on its carpet of color.
Despite the seemingly monochrome landscape, I like to hike these days.
The trails tend to be very quiet. It’s a good time to enjoy some solitude in the woods and a splendid time to listen and watch for those subtle signs of the earth awakening from its winter slumber. .Photo by wsweet321
