Here it is almost April and I feel like I am still in a semi state of hibernation. This winter has been a long, cold one and it just does not want to end.
Yesterday’s temperature was -11C when I woke up and there was a chilling northeasterly wind. Even the birds seem to be late coming back. Saw my first Robin just last week along with the red-winged blackbirds, that arrive in flocks in the farmer's cornfields.
Yesterday’s temperature was -11C when I woke up and there was a chilling northeasterly wind. Even the birds seem to be late coming back. Saw my first Robin just last week along with the red-winged blackbirds, that arrive in flocks in the farmer's cornfields.
Seedlings, planted in the basement have started to sprout. So far, it is mainly the tomatoes and pepper, but we still await the eggplant, leeks and other vegetables, which, while planted have yet to show any signs of life.
I saw my first racoon crossing the road last week as well. Skinny from the long sleep, it was out scavenging for a meal. I have seen the scratchings of skunks, but have yet to smell one, while out on my early morning walks.
The chipmunks are out and scurry around the decks gathering the seed they find that has spilled from the bird feeders.
We also noticed today that the goldfinches are changing their feather coats from the drab brown to vibrant yellow. The males all have a yellow tinge that will soon become more apparent and distinguish them from the females.
I saw my first racoon crossing the road last week as well. Skinny from the long sleep, it was out scavenging for a meal. I have seen the scratchings of skunks, but have yet to smell one, while out on my early morning walks.
The chipmunks are out and scurry around the decks gathering the seed they find that has spilled from the bird feeders.
We also noticed today that the goldfinches are changing their feather coats from the drab brown to vibrant yellow. The males all have a yellow tinge that will soon become more apparent and distinguish them from the females.
My neighbour and I talked about how last year her husband had all but finished his maple syrup harvest by this time and this year they have barely begun.
We took the opportunity to clean up some of the debris from last fall yesterday. Cutting the raspberry canes and clearing branches in the below zero weather. Tomorrow we will take them all to a pile with the tractor and trailer to burn before summer sets upon us. We need to get this done before the frost comes out of the earth and the tractor will damage the earth by compacting it too much.
Within a week or so we should also seed several areas with grass that were prepared in the fall. Hopefully, the April rains will get that started.
We took the opportunity to clean up some of the debris from last fall yesterday. Cutting the raspberry canes and clearing branches in the below zero weather. Tomorrow we will take them all to a pile with the tractor and trailer to burn before summer sets upon us. We need to get this done before the frost comes out of the earth and the tractor will damage the earth by compacting it too much.
Within a week or so we should also seed several areas with grass that were prepared in the fall. Hopefully, the April rains will get that started.
Seedlings in the basement have started to sprout. So far, it is mainly the tomatoes and pepper, but we still await the eggplant, leeks and other vegetables, which while planted have yet to show any signs of life.
I saw my first racoon crossing the road last week as well. Skinny from the long sleep, it was out scavenging for a meal.
The chipmunks are out and scurry around the decks gathering the seed they find that has spilled from the bird feeders.
We also noticed today that the goldfinches are changing their feather coats from the drab brown to vibrant yellow. The males all have a yellow tinge that will soon become more apparent and distinguish them from the females.
I saw my first racoon crossing the road last week as well. Skinny from the long sleep, it was out scavenging for a meal.
The chipmunks are out and scurry around the decks gathering the seed they find that has spilled from the bird feeders.
We also noticed today that the goldfinches are changing their feather coats from the drab brown to vibrant yellow. The males all have a yellow tinge that will soon become more apparent and distinguish them from the females.
As we walk the property, we see the buds on the trees begin to swell awaiting warmer days to burst into leaf or flower, whichever comes first to the species.
Every year I look across the fields at the forest in the distance and await with and eagerness to see the green glow of the deciduous trees telling me that Spring has indeed arrived. That has yet to happen.
Every year I look across the fields at the forest in the distance and await with and eagerness to see the green glow of the deciduous trees telling me that Spring has indeed arrived. That has yet to happen.