The Coming of Spring

Spring has officially begun, but here in Western New York, the landscape in March still looks a little bleak.  What really lets us know that spring is on its way are the smells and sounds that are awakening after a snowy winter.

I took Penny exploring one morning recently and together we enjoyed gazing across the hills and poking about in the hedgerows.  Penny found this little hooked branch that looked as if it was meant for her to sit in.  Not quite a swing, but rather fun just the same.

We found many fun places to explore, piles of rocks, aging wood, and the morning sunshine streaming through secret paths.

It is thrilling to see that the tree buds are swelling, they hold delightful promise of greenery soon to come.

Then under this evergreen, Penny spotted a fallen robin’s nest from last year.  We love robins; they are returning now as a welcome sign of spring.

We also love to watch for the coming of the pussy willows!

Pardon my gloves in the picture.

The snowdrops are the first flowers to show themselves, then crocuses too.

Hello pretty robin in the maple tree, won’t you sing us your sweet song?

Later, I planted the first box in the garden with the early seeds of beets, carrots, swiss chard and such.  The silkie chickens are my inspectors, keeping a close eye on what I’m up to.  It was warm enough to leave my coat off, and no freezing fingers, yay!  Its time to get the rest of the garden weeded, don’t you think?

As I worked the geese were flying overhead.

The hillside looks grey but color is coming soon.

I like this shot of the geese in air as they “honk, honk, honk” overhead!!

Rustic beauty.

But winter reminds us that it isn’t far gone.  Just a few days after our hike, we had freezing rain.

It really was pretty coating everything, even the old weeds.

And ice covered crabapples are pretty too.

But never you fear, spring is really here…

Bless the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, Thou art very great;

The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap,  … the birds make their nests:

He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down.

O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! … the earth is full of Thy riches.

Thou renewest the face of the earth.

The Lord shall rejoice in His works.

I will sing unto the Lord…my meditation of Him shall be sweet.

Praise ye the Lord.

(Little snippets of the beautiful Psalm 104)