Changes

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Spring is a busy time, with lots of chores that need to be addressed—some new and some (many) left over from the winter, or even the fall. 🙂 But spring is also a time when things around us change almost daily.

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4-10-20

Birds that visit for the winter are heading north, and others are returning after migrating south in the fall. More and different types of butterflies and other insects are around. I think I saw a monarch butterfly a few days ago, although it was gone before I could tell if it was a monarch or a viceroy. However, it must have been a monarch since, according to journeynorth.org, adult viceroys don’t emerge until about 15 days after willow or poplar leaves have emerged, and those trees are still pretty barren here in the Hollow.

Different wildflowers are emerging, some trees are now in full bloom while others are dropping blossoms and leafing out. Below are Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Star chickweed (Stellaria pubera), Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), American Alumroot (Heuchera americana), Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Southern Crabapple (Malus angustifolia), and Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia).

Blackhaw Viburnum

Flowering Dogwood

Star chickweed

Eastern redbud

American Alumroot

Philadelphia Fleabane

Coral honeysuckle

Southern Crabapple

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/133345-Prunus-angustifolia

Reptiles have begun to emerge from hibernation, including this rat snake that makes the rounds near my house. (It’s on the wall!)

Box turtle

Eastern fence lizard

Rat snake

The turkeys feel spring, too, and the toms seem to gobble most of the day. Evidently they are having some success, as I also see hens in the meadow several times a day.

The deer are changing to their summer coats, and the pregnant does are getting bigger. Bambi’s taste for apples hasn’t changed!

Remember Cisco and Pancho, the new muchachos in my house? They’re changing, too. They seem to be interested in housework and also enjoy birdwatching, but they’re still just kittens (large ones!) and get tuckered out.

https://youtu.be/IHK0nhDHlFI

Many of the changes we’re experiencing in the world these days are sad and scary. It’s comforting to realize that some changes are beautiful, interesting, and/or amusing. My hope is that the changes you experience bring you comfort, combined with laughter and love.