Nature Notes: Mmmmmm. Sun.

Spring has sprung! It happened last Sunday, when the pussy willow blossoms suddenly burst open, revealing the first tantalizing glimpse of white fluff within. In the days that followed, the sun made a comeback. Temperatures climbed above freezing, the snow began to melt, rising in deep fogs in the morning. By noon the skies had turned impossibly blue.

Today brought the first robins and bluebirds, and all the birds are singing again. Now that they've found the feeder we're seeing cardinals, titmice, chickadees, juncos, jays, doves, sparrows, and purple finches. The hawk has taken notice and watches from the trees at the property line, but he seems not to want to come so close to the house. However, I have spotted a mouse bustling around under the cover of the dead weeds beneath the feeder, and a couple of nights ago there was a raccoon walking the porch railing like a tightrope acrobat, trying to reach into the seed tray. I'll have to keep an eye on those guys.

It's time to figure out when to start seeds indoors, to decide on a weed controlling mulch for the veggie patch, and to lay out firm plans for managing the land here. (More on that last later - I've met some great folks at the Saint Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District, and I'm still exploring the conservation options and management information they provided.)

It seems we went from eternal winter to spring overnight, and suddenly there is so much to do. It's the season of hope, of irrational optimism and ambitious projects. Bring it on, baby. Bring it.



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