Spring is here, now that the first robin is back from his winter trip south. © BCP 2010
As far as I am concerned — no matter what the date is — spring is officially here.
Out today for a stroll in what seemed like balmy weather at first. But the sunny day was deceptive. While the warmth of the sun on my shoulders was a comforting reminder that the world is waking and warming up, the stiff cold breeze made me glad for a down coat.
I spent most of my walk observing the ducks in Ashbridge’s inner bay. There were lots today: the ever-present mallard mates, gadwall pairs, buffies, long-tails, and a good number of scaups. (Lesser or greater, I never can tell.) I also saw one lone American merganser male. And quite a thrill — a male hooded merganser, a duck I only rarely see at Ashbridge’s.
A female belted kingfisher, back in her usual hunting spot in the cottonwoods along the path from the parking lot. ©BCP 2010
On my way back to the parking lot, though, was the real thrill of the day. First I heard the teeth-chattering rattle of what could only be our bay’s belted kingfisher, (Megaceryle alcyon) back from his winter vacation in one of many hotspots — the West Indies, Southern U.S., Mexico, or South America. Then I saw him, er, her….as it was a she. She was fishing from her usual spot in the cottonwoods along the path from the parking lot.
Then, best of all, the unmistakeable song of a robin. Just one. But one was enough. I couldn’t stay long to wait to get a really good picture, so just grabbed this one of this male perched on the duff in the shadow of the hawthorn trees.
What could be better than seeing — and hearing the joyous song — of the first robin of spring. Many pleasures await!
©BCP 2010
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