Tuesday, April 09, 2013

And so it begins...

It begins with skeins of of geese flying in high from the deep south and singing their return, with many happy splashings in local waters and ducks quacking in roadside puddles, with a single heron standing on the ice in the river and (no doubt) wondering what brought her home so early in the season.

It continues with larks and killdeer, beaky snipe and woodcock, with a handful of plucky robins, the graceful "v" shape (dihedral) of five turkey vultures soaring majestically over the Two Hundred Acre Wood and rocking effortlessly back and forth in their flight. Seen from below, the light catches their silvery flight feathers and dark wing linings, and the great birds are as magnificent to me as any eagle.

Then a solitary goshawk perches in a tree on the hill, and a male harrier goes looping over the western field in graceful circles. Both birds are hungry after the long journey home and are training their fierce eyes on the withered grasses intently.

This morning, there is a male cardinal singing his heart out in the ash tree, and an unidentified spring warbler lifts its voice somewhere in the darkness.

There is gladness everywhere, and even the soft rain is a friend.

5 comments:

Melanie said...

Isn't it just wonderful when the earth comes alive again... : )

niffy said...

Yes! They're all on their way back! http://danslaforetsauvage.tumblr.com/post/47190471583/flocks-of-canadiangeese-returning-home-welcome

Lynn said...

And today I saw an indigo blue bunting, Cate. At fist I thought it was sunlight reflecting on a black crow. Then it flew from the bay to the cedar tree and I saw a miracle. And so it begins . . . again. My life, my mantra . . . begin again.

Guy said...

Hi Cate

i would almost think you were describing Spring but it is much to early for that. That may be, no is the best Canada Goose photo I think I have ever seen.

Regards
Guy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photo, such a good shot, and a glad reminder when we have had snow overnight and sleet this morning.