weather

A Slow Start to Spring

Rae Spencer9 Comments

Pear Tree March 30

Today was finally warm enough to feel like spring. Add in an entire afternoon of bright sunshine, and it was a beautiful day in the yard.

Iris March 30

Speedwell March 30

Osprey March 30

Robins March 30

Rabbit March 30

As much as I enjoyed my afternoon in the yard, I couldn’t help comparing it to last year’s spring, which was both warmer and earlier than this year’s season. By the end of March last year, the pear tree was fully in bloom and the yard was full of bees. This year, the pear tree is only beginning to bloom and I haven’t seen a single bee.

Pear Tree March 30

Last year, all threats of frost were past. In fact, there were days that felt like summer. The tulips were blooming and spiderlings were hatching. This year I’m afraid to uncover the ginger lilies, because it seems likely we will see more frost, and the tulips are just getting started.

Tulip March 30

I wonder if our delayed spring will spill over into a delayed summer, or if summer will simply storm in right on the heels of winter.

Finding Spring

Rae Spencer4 Comments

Hyacinths March 16

Today was so warm that I pulled the lawn mower out of the shed, checked my gloves for spiders, and spent several hours working outside. As I scraped away layers of leaves, twigs, and mud, I found traces of spring in every corner of the yard.

Dandelion March 16

Irises March 16

Hydrangea March 16

Wax Myrtle March 16

Pear Tree March 16

After finishing in the yard, I opened the windows, took off my shoes, and invited spring into the house.

Windows March 16

A Windy Walk in the Park

Rae Spencer1 Comment

Warbler Jan 30

Yesterday started sunny and mild. A brisk, warm wind raced ahead of a stormy cold front, and it was impossible to stay inside.

First Landing Jan 30

First Landing Jan 30

First Landing Jan 30

Mallards Jan 30

Egret Jan 30

Low tide had drained the marsh into a muddy network of puddles, many of them marked with fresh tracks.

Fish Jan 30

Print Jan 30

I would have stayed longer, but the sharpening wind made trails increasingly unfriendly. Cones clattered down from the canopy. Branches creaked and scraped. Trees swayed so hypnotically that I gave up on watching the trail and staggered along with my attention focused overhead, stumbling over roots and ruts.

First Landing Jan 30

I also spotted dozens of potential nest cavities.

First Landing Jan 30

First Landing Jan 30

When a long-dead tree shattered across my path, I decided it was time to find the car.

First Landing Jan 30

This morning, our damaged fence made me wonder how many more trees fell in the park overnight, and how many nesting places were lost.

Snow at the Beach

Rae Spencer4 Comments

Beach Snow Jan 25

It snowed at the beach on Friday, just in time for my annual weekend with the writers.

Beach Snow Jan 26

We stayed at a hotel on the Virginia Beach oceanfront, where we laughed and ate and sat around in our pajamas as we read to each other and critiqued chapters from works-in-progress.

Beach Snow Jan 26

All the while, it was so cold outside that Friday’s snow couldn’t melt.

Beach Snow Jan 26

Beach Snow Jan 26

Saturday afternoon I spent some time on our icy balcony, trying to photograph cormorants, seagulls, and dolphins.

Birds Jan 26

Birds Jan 26

Birds Jan 26

Birds Jan 26

Birds Jan 26

Dolphins Jan 26

Clouds raveled and gathered again, the sun came and went, and the ocean flickered from gray to green to blue.

Beach Snow Jan 26

Beach Snow Jan 26

All day Saturday the surface looked silky and smooth, but Sunday morning’s high tide rumpled it into restless wrinkles.

Beach Snow Jan 27

After I got home, I felt restless, too. Uncertain of how to proceed from here. The weekend was so perfect, and the house was so warm, and I was indescribably happy.

How could I ever want more than what I have right now? More than these comforts and luxuries I am so grateful to have known?

Another Warm Day = Another Walk

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First Landing Jan 21

Today we walked one of our favorite trails at First Landing State Park.

First Landing Jan 21

Squirrel Jan 21

Egret Jan 21

We heard a report, shortly after arriving, that two Bald Eagles had been spotted there this morning. We missed the eagles, but did see a number of egrets.

Egret Jan 21

Egret Jan 21

Egret Jan 21

As usual, I tried in vain to photograph the trail’s smaller birds. I missed Eastern Bluebirds and Chickadees, White-throated Sparrows and Brown-headed Nuthatches. I missed Pine Warblers and Downy Woodpeckers. The only one I didn’t miss was this wren.

Wren Jan 21

I believe it’s a Carolina Wren, though it was not singing a typical Carolina Wren song.

Wren Jan 21

I’m very curious to hear from more experienced bird watchers. Is this a Carolina Wren? If so, is this a typical call variation?

Now that I’m home and at my computer, I find myself wishing I had stayed out longer. If our forecast holds, the next few days will be too cold for comfort. I will be trapped indoors with a frightening stack of neglected bookkeeping. I might be forced to start another crochet project or organize the archives. Work on an unfinished manuscript. Fake an illness. Anything to avoid starting the taxes…