April Return

Many local farm fields are still covered in snow, and there is not much for returning birds to eat here, but Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have arrived and taken up residence in soggy, windswept fields and along open waterways.

At sunset this week, the long "v" shapes of returning skeins trailed across the sky, one after another, the birds silhouetted against the setting sun and drifting clouds. Their homecoming songs could be heard for quite a distance. For the most part, skies here have been clear after dark, and the moon is only a day or two away from full so conditions for night flying have been perfect. As I drift off to sleep, I can hear geese passing over the house, and when I open my eyes in the morning before dawn, the first thing I hear is exuberant honking. The songs gladden my heart.

I am just so darned glad the birds are back. It is rather cold here, and there is still a lot of snow about, but it doesn't matter a fig or a twitter or a honk or a hoot. The great geese are home, and warmer, brighter times are on their way.