Thursday, February 25th

YES! We have green, people! Crocus or snowdrop, I'm not sure, but the point is - it's coming! :)

(Spotted and snapped by Bill on his way out to the car this morning. His text made my day!)

Speaking of this day - SO lovely.

Though last night was quite stormy (across most of the US), today is mild and windy. Feels so much like Spring. This Winter (knock-on-wood) has been quite do-able so far.

Wildlife notes: Four beautiful deer spotted in the field on Main Street this morning. Right beside the road. No antlers (all female? or young?) and just breathtaking. Also, mourning dove song very early.

Wednesday, February 17th

Recent cold/windy weather has brought down a lot of branches on our property. Several were blocking our driveway this morning ...

Just mild enough today that the chipmunk tunneled his way out for a peek! (44°)

Lots of ice melt, bright sun ... the light seemed stronger today. :)

Tuesday, February 16th

This morning's icy weather ...

I took these pictures quite early (roughly 7:30 a.m.) as I tended to the birdfeeders - dumping out the snow that had fallen overnight, adding extra mealworms and scattered mixed seed. Above is the bank of trees on the east side of our property ... I love watching the sun rise behind these evergreens, and look how pale and frosty everything looks!

I know you can barely see it, but at the very top of the tree beyond the roof is a cardinal. He was singing his dear little heart out this morning! Oddly enough, despite all the snow and ice around me, the temperatures were on the rise and there was a feeling of Spring off in the distance ...

And yet ...

Everything was glazed with ice!

Happily, the mealworms we put out yesterday seem to be a hit with the bluebirds! Below is one on top of the table (where I scattered some mixed seed and "bluebird nuggets") and in the foreground are two lovely goldfinches.

This is also attracting the blue jays! And squirrels and juncos, too ...

And here's my dear little red squirrel, scavenging beneath the rhododendron.

Now, crazily enough, we are in for a very rainy afternoon ... heavy rain is on the way as well as temps in the 50s! It won't wash away all the snow, but will leave behind some black ice tonight and tomorrow morning so I hope everyone is safe on the roads.

Monday, February 1st

On this soft gray morning, it feels a bit like Spring ... And in fact, February 1st, St. Brigid's Day, marks the start of the Celtic Spring. And while that might work over there, here in New England, the first of February generally feels NOTHING like Spring. We are usually in the hard and fast grip of Winter at this time of year, but ...

It's quiet and mild out there, and the sky is brightening slowly.

• I'll wake the boys in a bit with "Rabbit, rabbit!" A must on the first of each month!

• We'll look around the yard today for signs of Spring and some "straw" (dried ornamental grass) with which to make our Brigid's crosses. We might even peek along the front stone wall and see if we spy any snowdrops budging the earth ... Candlemas Bells, they are also called!

• Wonder what the groundhog will say tomorrow?