Pussy willow.
As spring dawns in the Texas Hill Country, where I grew up, bluebonnets bloom right on cue. Here on the 44th parallel, where I’ve lived the past few decades, spring typically unfurls slowly, beginning with thaw and ice-out, commencing through a few weeks of “mud season,” finally maturing into a leafy green world of birdsong long about the first of May.
Not this year.
Staghorn sumac.
The temperature today topped 70 degrees (F)—even reached 80 in spots, so I hear. I can’t remember another year like it. Last Sunday, I heard a familiar sound at an unfamiliar date: a spring peeper. Heard another yesterday. Another today out back. Yesterday morning, I found the tiny corpse of an eastern red-backed salamandar on my front walk. It was mummified by the warm sun. This afternoon, I went out cycling in a short-sleeved jersey and still worked up a good sweat.
Migrating birds seem to be arriving in batches, then disappearing. Turkey vultures, for instance—they were circling all over the sky a couple days ago, but I didn’t see one today. Grackles and phoebes made an appearance then apparently made themselves scarce. Song sparrows do seem to have settled in, at least. And the cardinal with the peculiar song was out again today.
It’s unquestionably spring—yet an unquestionably odd one so far. (Following an unquestionably snowless winter.) I find myself anticipating the usual signs of unfurling but confused by the uncommon warmth out there. More 70-degree weather is forecast for tomorrow.
Still life.
Still, I suppose I stow away the snow shovel just yet.
Addendum: late tonight, a chorus of spring peepers is calling out back—three or four of them. And at least one wood frog.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. American goldfinch
2. Black-capped chickadee
3. American robin
4. Herring gull
5. American crow (voice)
6. Wild turkey
Elsewhere
7. Northern cardinal
8. Tufted titmouse
9. House finch
10. Herring gull
11. American woodcock
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, American woodcock, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house finch, northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, wild turkey
