Time marches on! And so does spring. Or almost spring!
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| From Kate McNenly's 2021 "Birdiferous" calendar |
A few nights ago, I passed by my front door as I was going down the hall. I glanced out and saw the silhouettes of three deer, poised at the foot of the driveway, walking down the street. I was wide awake and thought I was dreaming.
The deer are moving about and so are the bunnies. I've counted five already and more to come. The birds are going crazy and I expect to see some nest building soon.
On the home front, there's a bit of critter action, too. The other day, Lizzie was pawing at a piece of the rug that wasn't tucked under something, along with a piece of tissue paper that had dropped while I was cleaning up earlier. I thought it was just cute cat antics. But later, when she kept staring at the same spot, and then dashing to another, I knew we had an uninvited guest. Eventually, she sussed out a baby mouse which I managed to catch under a cup and deposit safely outside and down the block. If there is one baby, there are more. We are on guard.
The Canada geese and ducks are settled in the ponds at the ditch. I need to see if geese have one mate alone, because I have noticed they seem to be in twos, more or less in their own parts of the pond, and I wonder if it is a male/female/mating thing.
If so, we'll be seeing plenty of goslings soon!
They're pretty scrappy if anyone invades their territory, as you can see by that splashing going on!
The redwing black birds are back, a sure sign of spring.
Also spotted, a pair of doves.
This one has such a sweet face.
Then there was this handsome fellow.
This guy wasn't so handsome but a welcome addition to our Ditch creatures. He's been chopping the icy snow from the path that isn't melting despite our unseasonably warm temperatures (60s). The temps are dropping this week into the 40s, where they'll stay for a bit. He's been working hard -- he said he wanted to go running with his son on the path and several areas were dangerously slippery. He did us all a big favor!
I'm seeing signs of life in the bulbs and branches at home, but at the Ditch, the ice is still on parts of the pond and the faded blooms on last season's growth are dried but still lovely in their way.
On the home front, I've been cooking a bit. This recipe by Jean of Delightful Repast was tasty and easy! It's a dessert version of Toad in the Hole.
I've been reading a lot and started this wonderful New Yorker jigsaw puzzle.
It's a tough one. The pieces are tiny and a 'very close fits,' which means you're sure you've got it -- but you don't! I'm glad I like the design because I think I will be living with this one for a very long time.
Finally, I had to say goodbye to Rick's Covid hair.
I'll miss it!
I feel so encouraged to see signs of spring. It hasn't been a hard winter here, but it feels like a long one. I'm slowly venturing out into the world again, and not without anxiety. But in time all shall be well.
Meanwhile, I watch the birds, the bunnies, and look out for mice!
Sharing with: Pink Saturday / Let's Keep In Touch
57 comments:
Hello, Jeanie
It is nice to see the spring birds returning, they are singing loudly here. Great captures of the Geese, ducks, Blackbird and the beautiful Cardinal. We could use a Lizzie here, I am sure we have some mice here. Rick looks nice with his hair cut. I am working on similar puzzle, the pieces all look the same. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post! Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for the comment on my post.
It does look like March is marching on in your area! That puzzle looks challenging. Rick's new haircut looks great!
You have a wonderful array of creatures today. Well done to Lizzie. She is earning her keep. I bet Rick is glad to be rid of the extra weight of hair. Or maybe he enjoyed it because having long hair is easier to maintain than getting a cut every few weeks. I do love your puzzle. I think I would like that one to try myself but at the moment I have no space to lay it out. Have a wonderful weekend.
You have red winged blackbirds already. Lucky you. Not a sign of them here yet. But with a few warm days birds have been singing. Oh no, baby mice. We battle mice all winter, and some years worse than others. This year wasn't too bad, luckily, but I do miss having the cats. They were always go good at finding them. Lizzie seems to be good at it too. Good luck. Have a great weekend and I hope its not too cold. Hugs-Erika
Oscar caught a mouse at Joan’s recently, too. She was spending a lot of time in her basement and Joan figured out why when she brought up a mouse. Eeks. She is hoping there aren’t more.
That was nice of that guy to chip away at the ice! Phil had to do that on the sidewalk on the north side of our house. The ice was very thick so it was quite the big job. But even 60+ degree temps couldn’t melt the ice as we get too much shade since we are on the south side of the street.
I'm sure Rick feels lighter and better with his hair cut. I need to wait another month or so to get mine all whacked off...but I'll be so happy to have it short again. Enjoy your weekend and all the pretty signs of Spring!
The March calendar page with its bird and flowers looks interesting and relevant to your post.
Lizzie is doing what cats are supposed to do in a house- look for mice.
Great bird photos! I think I should renew my aluminum foil barriers between my living space and some of the little crevices where the mice come in sometimes. I don't have a Lizzie to help out.
be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thank you for saving the baby mouse, what a story she will tell ! Springtime at Jeanie's is just magnificent, wonderful birding! And I must say Rick's new hair is very nice. Now his ears can breathe! AND you have sunshine- yes indeed- Marching on.
Ohhh, sorry, but, awwww, a baby mouse! And your redhead!
Cute guy there, also. Love jigsaw puzzles, do them online, though. Whilst watching TV, bad me...
Hmmm. Bye hair. Bye, Hippie, LOL. Wow, wish my hair would grow like that!
To Spring, soon, we had RAIN, yesss...
I wish we had Cardinals over here they are so amazingly bright and colourful.
I've spotted the right place for one of your pieces of puzzle from the other side of the Atlantic!
Life is returning as spring makes an appearance in your corner of the world. Rick looks transformed! It's good that you have Lizzie guarding the house on mouse alert. If we get a visit, it's usually in the fall when the weather turns cold. We're still isolating but feel like April may offer us a chance to venture cautiously around people. Colorado (thank goodness) is still mandating mask wearing.
It's so nice to see all the signs of spring, well except maybe for a mouse in the house. Sorry you had to say goodbye to Rick's Covid hair. My hubby has a Covid beard that I hope he'll want to shave off one of these days, it makes him look 20 years older! Enjoy the weekend :)
Spring is coming! Can't believe you saw your deers already and so close to home this time.
Great bird portraits! You have to be quick on the draw -- with a long lens, no less! -- to capture those!
It has been a treat to experience a little foretaste of spring. Of course, this being Michigan, it was a mere amuse bouche, and I suspect we still have some hardier weather yet to come before the softness settles in to stay.
Glad you're getting out for walks, and maybe gearing up for other encounters. Sure hope Lizzie is well-rewarded for her mousing!
Enjoy your weekend! xoxox
Oi! That New Yorker puzzle looks like something YOU painted!
XOXO
Maryanne
Rick's hair got really long! I think he looks better with it short. :)
You've had a lot of wildlife in and out of your house. Loved your pictures!
Cats will be cats.
Beautiful!
I got my spring shearing this week, too! It's wonderful to see the birds out in your area. Spring always comes, thank God.
Cats are good mousers. I hope the rest of them go down street to be with their pal.
I have been hearing the red wings but have not seen them yet. Have seen some robins now and a muskrat out of its burrow. All sure signs of Spring. Looks like you are putting together a very interesting puzzle. Janice
Such happy making words and photos. I do love clafoutis, especially with ice cream melting into the cherry laden, crispy batter pudding. Now if only I had a tin of cherries, I know what I'd be baking today!
Deb in Wales
Good to see spring returning! Nice are sweet creatures, but not in the house! It's stormy here, I have been watching the clouds from the hospital window. Have a great week, hugs, Valerie
Jeanie, I know that you are excited to see signs of spring. It has really burst out here this past week. Birds are busy, trees have begun to green, and I can’t wait for my garden to fully awaken! Lovely photos and enjoy your day!
I've never eaten Toad in the Hole but it looks deliciously fun. That mouse was lucky. Gracie is a skilled hunter and has brought a few gifts recently. :)
Keep a keen eye on those geese, Jeanie. I am already watching one female sitting on a nest, so the breeding season is underway. And so many species have returned recently. It is a wonderful time of the year. Yesterday Miriam and I saw our first Eastern Bluebird of the spring - a wonderful, brightly-coloured male. And an Eastern Meadowlark too. And they don't give a fig about COVID! As for Rick, he has gone from composer to banker overnight, but he still looks good!
What a surprise to find a baby mouse - makes me wonder where is mamma and the nest? Start looking!
Good morning, Jeanie. I love all your geese and birds and the pond. I know you enjoy the life and beauty that makes it sing. As I look out the window, our bird feeder has a big red squirrel, hanging upside down, enjoying his morning breakfast. Such entertainment.
I laughed about the mouse, when a kitty stares one has to always be on alert.
Ours once went up the Christmas tree, and of course, it was during dinner.
We get our last COVID shot this week. Actually, I am not in a hurry to jump out and I still worry about the whole situation. However, I know it will eventually be well.
Have a great day and week, my friend.
I like Rick with the shorter hair :)
Lovely to see the birds and the new Spring flowers popping up, you must be happy Spring is around the corner.
A challenging puzzle, but it's pretty.
Uhhh a mouse in the house, that's scary. I keep a box of bird food in the patio and the other day as I was pouring the seeds onto my hand a tiny mouse jumped out of the box into my hand and quickly jumped to the ground. I just screamed when I realized what it was! Now I close the box and keep it off the ground.
I had to smile at the picture of Lizzie pawing at the baby mouse. How cute! LOL. Rick looks great with his new haircut. Things are looking up, aren't they? Enjoy life!!!
My mouse story is from many years ago when Dean and I lived in rural Massachusetts. I caught a mouse in my kitchen in a cup, took it outside to the woods across the street and released it. It ran back across the street and made it to my house before I did, where I couldn't find it and assume it lived a happy life.
Rick's haircut is great! He looks like himself again! As for that mousie -- some cats get craneflies, some get bigger challenges. I'm glad you caught it, and sent it back to where it belongs, although I'm sure Lizzie was disappointed.
I think you're right about the birds pairing up, too. The doves are cooing at one another here, and the single mockingbird that's been coming to my feeder is bringing a friend, now. The male mallards in the marina are chasing the females, and I heard the laughing gulls beginning their raucous "look at me" cries the other day. I've not yet looked at the recipe for the dessert version of Toad in the Hole, but I'm about to. I'm trying to curb my sweets in take, but if it's new, it must be tried. Right?
Wonderful photos!
Awesome new hair cut!
Thank you for your caring comment on my blog. It was much appreciated. I learned in the beginning, if a cat is relentlessly interested in something, it's best for one to investigate. A baby mouse! That's not something one wants to see in their house. Many more to follow? Your spring is slow in coming, but your days seem to be full of life. Love the photos.
I love your jigsaw Jeanie, you do have some lovely ones. I'm glad you set the mouse free, I know they are vermin but I couldn't catch one in a trap. Rick's hair looks excellent, it takes years off him :-)
Spring is definitely in the air and I'm sure you will enjoy every moment of it...especially all the beautiful birds.
A good bit of hunting there by Lizzie!
Wonderful photos, as always :)
I love seeing and hearing about the outdoor wildlife, but not the mice! Good thing Lizzie is on duty.
Our snow really went down this week, but left a lot of mud, and now ice, in place.
Pretty quiet on the critter front here, but we did see a deer standing in a cottage lane while we were out driving yesterday.
I saw my first Robin today in the back yard.l
Two seconds later, we saw one in the front yard.
Must be spring for sure . . .
Hmmm, who is that new guy sitting at the table . . .
Did you save his curls?
Looks like spring is surely arriving! Love the bird pictures, pretty!!--especially that big brilliant cardinal! Rick's haircut looks great! I love the picture on the puzzle!! Hope y'all have a great week!
Good morning dear Jeanie! I thoroughly enjoyed your tour through the thaw of life out your way! OH MY GOODNESS your cat found a mouse in the house. Well, we've found our share in the kitchen! EEEK! EEEEEK! The thought of it....
Oh Jeanie, what a year so far. Thankfully, I can saw that our way up there in Minnesota the snow was not terrible. They probably got more snow in Texas than we have all winter. We did have a string of typical below zero days but like you, we have experienced a very early spring-thing a happenin'....the animals are coming out to sing, mate and build. The temps were so warm on Saturday that I didn't need my coat to do some photography in my garage. Ruben gets his second vaccine today (I don't know when I will) and our garden plans are under way.
Thank you so much for coming to "Dance with the Daffodils."
Jeanie,
Great post filled with so many signs of Spring!!! We had a pair of morning doves visit our hanging pot in the corner of the patio but it was just a visit and they did not nest there....
Thanks so much for visiting!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Signs of Spring are a joy to behold. I love your bird photos. I know the goslings will be fun to watch :)
Wow, that's a big change - the covid hair and post-covid hair. :) I hope you can catch & release all the baby mice. They are so cute, I had hamsters as a child, so I'm biased.
LOL to Rick's covid hair!!! I loved reading that and seeing the photos! Your critter shots are so pretty! We have a few signs of spring, but then plunging temperatures overnight discourage me...I'm being teased! :)
Love Rick's new haircut AND your mouse story--that Lizzie IS a clever girl! I'm so glad you made my dessert toad-in-the-hole! And thank you for the link. As always, your photos are gorgeous. Happy Spring!
I lost an hour over the weekend, and now it's even harder catching up. However, I don't plan to miss visiting you and your March and spring inspired post.
I take it your Toad in the Hole involved cherries, not apples. Looked good. That puzzle LOOKS hard. I like Ricks haircut. Good for him. Hope you are enjoying your time with spring inspired photos. I sure did.
I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs.
Lovely collection of birds, a sweet photograph of Lizzie, and Ricks haircut looks good.
Take care
All the best Jan
I love cardinals--we don't see them here. Recently the news showed a yellow cardinal that someone was able to photograph--they are very rare!
Rick looks very handsome with his haircut! I have yet to get my hair cut--it has been a year. I'm waiting one more week post-vaccine #2. My husband grew a beard and was supposed to shave after he received his second vaccine but so far hasn't. I hope he does eventually--I still can';t get used to him having one--lol!
Signs of spring are the best. I do love seeing the doves when they gift us with a visit in the garden. How I wish we had cardinals. I like the look of your Toad in the Hole. Was it good? I saw it on her post, but wasn't sure I wanted to try it. A mouse in the house is always disconcerting. Glad you Lizzie let you know it was there.
Beautiful signs of spring! Even Rick is getting a bit of Spring cleaning I see :) I hope you catch all the mice ~ It's good to have cats for so many reasons, but this is one of the biggest!
Yikes, a mouse! Not sure if I mentioned this to you, but I have a dreadful fear of mice. I can't believe you caught one by yourself and let it go. Those geese are so pretty and graceful. The dove is such a precious bird, and Oh, that red cardinal is a beauty. I bet it felt good for Rick to cut his long hair. It looks like Spring is coming soon, Jeanie. I think Spring comes a bit later here in the mountains, as we just had our third snowfall since I moved here. I don't mind though, it is fascinating to see. : )
~Sheri
I'm glad you were able to get to the house before Lizzie did.
That is so nice of that man to clear the path like that. Hopefully you won't have any more ice on it this season.
Good for Lizzie! My cats discovered a baby mouse and then we discovered 4 more. I was so freaked out but Dan found the tiniest holes their mother got on with. Dirty buggers! I haven’t seen any red winged black birds yet but that’ll be a sign of spring when I do. I don’t know how Rick could go so long without a hair cut! He looks much better with it cut!
Glad you're seeing so many signs of Spring, and so much critter activity.
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