The Many Moods of April

Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year was a song that debuted during my first spring 76 years ago. I don't know if the spring season was really late in 1944, but it certainly has been this year.

The month arrived nice enough on the 1st to enjoy a trip to Green Valley where I was excited to see a flock of coots - the first time I had ever seen so many at one time.

And the first Daffodils were blooming.

Two days later, I was delighted by the rare appearance of a white heron. Note the snow along the edge of the pond. The heron stayed all day, huddled against the cold.

The 5th was another nice day, warm and still at Lake McKinley.

The 8th was so nice the tree trimmers working in the neighborhood were in their shirtsleeves.

 

And the Magnolias were blossoming out.

Sunset on the 10th was gorgeous - a brilliant pink ball.

The next day, the green, green grass got its first mow.

Oh, the fickleness of spring - April 15 and snow, not just a little, a lot!

But the sun came out four hours later and highlighted this snowy spider web.

And the pale greening of the Willow tree.

More snow fell on the 16th.........

.....piling up on everything by the morning of the 17th.

But by mid-morning on the 18th, the snow was almost gone. Daffodils were lifting their bowed heads; peonies were sprouting.

On the 19th I saw the first turkey buzzard - their return a 'verifiable' sign of spring.

Inside the house, three blooms on the Peachy Keen Verbena delighted me on the 22nd.

As did a neighbor's pretty red tulips outdoors.

A little bouquet of Violets is one of my favorites. I brought these inside on the 24th. The yard was full of purple blooms.

Strong winds on the 25th were shredding the 'paper' of the Birch trees.

April's New Moon occurred on Earth Day, the 22nd, but I didn't get a picture of it until the 25th.

More birds are coming to feed. This isn't the best photo of this cardinal pair, taken through the window on the evening of the 26th, but I really like the composition of  with the two of them perched in the budding oak tree.

We finally got to see this year's hatchling - that's right, only one - the morning of the 27th. Mama keeps a close watch, as does Papa Goose, just out of the frame.

The signs of spring are coming faster now......Purple Martins checking out a neighborhood house.....

.......this little toad? frog? uncovered while raking leaves.

And last of the 27th, the New Moon and Venus together in the late evening sky.

First sign of spring pic early yesterday, the 28th, was one of this little tree frog on the patio. It surprised me when I was going out to feed the birds.

A few minutes later I saw this young deer at the salt block; posed perfectly with the plum blossoms in the hedgerow behind.

Then I took this closeup of one of the first  Baltimore Orioles to arrive which had been on the feeder.

As well as this one of a gorgeous Orchard Oriole ready for a sweet sip.

There's just something about catkins in the spring. The lower ones on the Paper Birch tree seem to be dancing over the pond.

The wind began blowing hard overnight. This morning it was sending the low hanging clouds scudding off to the southwest as the sunrise turned distant cumulus clouds cherry blossom pink.

I am always thrilled to see the Indigo Bunting. It is hard to believe such a beautiful bird comes to the deck to eat. It is very skittish, so the only photos I get of it are through the window and screen.

The same is true for this pair of Cowbirds.

Heads up - that little gosling is already growing fast.

As surprised as I was by the Indigo Bunting this morning, I was really caught off guard when the little female Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up at the Oriole feeder this afternoon. I didn't think they came back this early.

Today was the day we planned to go to Red Haw State Park to see the many Redbud trees there. Alas, the freezing temps and snow spoiled the Redbud display and our plans -just as the Covid-19 pandemic has changed all our lives this spring.

But whether it comes early or late or right on time, Spring arrives in all its many moods. The trees bud, the blossoms bloom and the birds arrive, just as they do every April - for which I am grateful.