There is something comforting about have little woodland animals around. I'd like to call them varmints but that implies troublesome, and these are not a bother unless I want to object to rabbits chewing some plants. The same could be said of the deer that occasionally stop by, although we haven't seen them lately. Currently a fox makes a 5:30AM trek across our yard (no picture yet). And, I saw him a few roads away on my 12:30 PM walk today. Then there are the squirrels who, when they can't figure out how to jump up onto our bird feeder, are satisfied with the pumpkin they found around the place. The chipmunks are way too busy to stop for anything.All these little friends bring just the right kind of life to the solitude of our back yard.
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Yesterday morning I shouted upstairs to my husband, “Quickly, look out at the birdfeeder.” I was concerned that this hawk would fly away immediately and he’d miss the miracle. But it stayed on the bird feeder for at least 15 minutes, even when we approached closer and closer, and talked louder and louder. It was staring down where the chipmunk family lives under the feeder. No birds showed up while it was there, nor the chipmunks. Exciting day for all our little critters, who were squeaking loudly after it left. Thankfully the resident critters and birds have returned. Later a friend wrote this: Looks like it's an immature Red-Tailed Hawk, maybe? Could be newly on its own, if Mama dispersed her young. Sometimes the immatures are less cautious around humans. Bardini Gardens Boboli Gardens A spring walk. Why travel? At least why hop into the car today? I’ve walked this four mile loop, in every season, hundreds of times. Each is the same, each is different. Sometimes I walk with a friend or talk on the phone with my daughter; sometimes I chat with myself as I go along. But, today I took pictures which is the best way to stay immersed in what is happening NOW. It was winter melting away and spring quivering to take charge. We New Englanders knew it would happen, but on this day, we tell whomever we pass, that yes, indeed, spring is finally here, for sure. Listen to the pictures. The winter was rough on the trees. Every time I visit the Museum of Russian Icons I take new pictures. By new I mean that I photograph the same icon again. It’s the same with my trips to Florence; I can’t resist snapping my favorites every time I see them. Then there are the hundreds of sunrises I took during my five years at the cottage by the sea that I need to delete from iPhoto. And what about the fall foliage? What is it about beauty that is so universally noticeable? Granted, people might disagree about a particular painting, sculpture, or piece of architecture, but not so about nature. We might have a favorite sunrise, but do you know anyone who thinks one is ugly? Random favorites Yesterday’s spring color walk. This is when I especially appreciate living in New England where each day can be see as if under a microscope. Embedded in the change of seasons is the daily change of each flower, each leaf. |
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